Greater Galangal
Alpinia galanga
Also known as
Siamese-Ginger, Languas, Thai galangal, Laos, Lengkuas, Galanga root, Kanghu, Pa de kaw, Chewing John, Little John to chew, Court case root
Alpinia galanga-Sunny brook-3-yercaud-salem-India by Yercaud-elango (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Partial Shade
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
H1a
RHS hardiness
15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
3m | Max | 2m |
50cm | Min | 30cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Greater Galangal
Greater Galangal Overview
Greater galangal is native to Java and is widely used in Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of India as a food flavouring and spice. The plant grows from rhizomes in clumps of stiff stalks, with no central stem, up to 2 m in height with plentiful long leaves which bear red fruit. The rhizome has an orangey-brown skin with a pale yellow/white interior and a sharp, sweet taste and smells like a blend of black pepper and pine needles. The red fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavor similar to cardamom. The plant produces greenish-white flowers, dark red at their tips, that later produce the red berries. The rhizome must have at least two nodes/eyes before it can be planted.
Common problems with Greater Galangal
Pests include stem borer and leaf eating caterpillars with leaf blight being a common disease.
How to harvest Greater Galangal
Rhizomes can be harvested almost throughout the year. The rhizomes are more tender when they are young and actively growing with a white rather than brown skin.
How to propagate Greater Galangal
Seed
Plant to the depth of the rhizome and cover with a thin layer of soil, spacing the seeds 60-90 cm apart.
Rhizomes
Greater Galangal plants grow tuberous, branching rhizomes. Plant in a shady location in sandy loam. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Harvest the Galangal rhizomes in early winter.
Division
Divide in the spring.
Special features of Greater Galangal
Attractive leaves
Attractive flowers
Pot plant
Wet sites
Other uses of Greater Galangal
Grown for its flowers. In traditional medicine the root is used for colds coughs and sore throats. The red fruit is used in Chinese traditional medicine. The roots are widely used as a flavouring in Indonesian and Thai food.
Medicinal
This plant is recommended as a remedy for sea-sickness. it has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine.
Edible
The rhizome is a common ingredient in Thai curries and soups. The leaves and young shoots are also edible.