Getto (Shell Ginger)

Getto (Shell Ginger) is starting to flower. The flowers will produce seeds pods that will turn a beautiful orange and filled with seeds that look like little pebbles. Both the leaves and seeds are used to make tea that is healthy and delicious. It is odd, but the color of the tea is a beautiful deep pink. Getto has many medicinal properties, such as controlling blood pressure, relieves flu-like conditions and improves your digestion system. The leaves of the plant are often used to wrap mochi rice and stemmed for its delightful flavor.

Shell Ginger (Getto, Sannin)

Shell Ginger (Getto, Sannin) has many uses. It has several medicinal purposes, used to wrap sweets in and great as an ornamental plant. 

(30 March)

(4 May)

Shell Ginger (Getto, Sannin)

The Latin name of Shell Ginger is Alphinia Zerumbet. In Japanese it is referred to as Getto and in the Okinawan language it's known as Sannin.


Shell Ginger is used in many ways due to its wonderful aroma, as well as its medicinal uses. The leaves are used to wrap soft rice, known as Omochi, to keep it moist and add flavor. It is boiled and drank as tea to sooth the stomach and some places use it to wrap sores to promote healing. It is considered one of the miracle plants in the Orient.

I had some Shell Ginger (Getto, Sannin) in my back yard but removed it to locate a planter; however, I like Shell Ginger and will grow more, but in a planter since it is quite invasive. I got these seeds from a plant in the park. They look like pebbles in a pod. Interesting!