Costus barbatus or Spiral Ginger is cultivated for its brightly coloured terminal flowerheads that are made of up bracts to make a cone formation with the yellow tubulate flowers emerging between the bracts.
These plants also have wonderful foliage and the clumps spread easily, growing as high as 2 metres.
In the tropics and sub-tropics they grow outside in well lit areas but prefer to be away from direct sunlight.
In cooler climates they can be grown in glass houses or conservatories to maintain the required warmth and humidity.