Insulin Plant - Yellow Flower aka Spiral Flag
Insulin plant (Costus Igneus)
The insulin plant is popularly known as the spiral flag and fiery costus. It belongs to the family of Cactaceae. The native of this plant is central America. This herb is widely used in Ayuverdic and herbal medicine. It is primarily used in the treatment of diabetes because it has anti-diabetic properties. Yes, you’ve read it right! You can kiss goodbye to the side-effects of diabetes with a simple, green plant! Too good to be true, right? Let’s not beat around the bush and instead spill the beans on how insulin plants actually work.
Insulin plant benefits are amazing. The rich green leaves comprise of corosolic acid, among various other enriching nutrients. This component, when ingested, works the magic by enhancing the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. It triggers high or abated glucose levels in the bloodstream and cures the condition. The anti-diabetic effect of the plant is a winner. Pot Costus igneus at home and bid farewell to the unpleasant effects of diabetes.
Very limited numbers of plants available. Suitable for pot/container growing or as indoor plant. Can be planted at anytime of the year.
Common names - Fiery Costus, Spiral flag, Insulin plant, Step ladder
*Please do your own research on this plant prior to purchasing if you have any concerns.
Plant Care
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in organic matter, with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Temperature: Ideal temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C.
- Light: Prefers partial shade or filtered sunlight.
- Fertilising: Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 every two months during the growing season.
- Pruning: Cut back spent leaves and control its size as necessary.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pest Control: Monitor for common pests such as aphids and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Produces attractive red-orange flowers. The plant is mainly grown for its medicinal leaves.
- Potting: Suitable for pots, ensure good drainage. Repot every 2-3 years to refresh soil.
- Feeding Regime: Regular feeding with a balanced NPK fertilizer encourages vigorous leaf production.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a minimal delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (per plant)
Auckland & Northland: $20
Rest of North Island: $25
South Island: $45
Rural Address: Additional $5
Shipping Garden Supplies
Auckland & Northland: $10
Rest of North Island: $15
South Island: $20
Rural Address: Additional $5
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment throughout the year, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a week, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- We dispatch our plants year-round, as most are shipped with soil. During the winter months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
