Abstract: In order to explore the light demand characteristics of Kaempferia parviflora and provide the theoretical basis for its cultivation in South China, the shading cultivation experiment of K. parviflora was carried out during its tuber propagation period. The fresh and dry weights of the underground and aboveground parts of K. parvifloria which were cultivated under different shading treatments were measured. Followingly, the data of monthly growth, water content and yield were also obtained. The results showed that: In the early growth period ( from July to August ), different shading treatments had no significant effect on the growth of aboveground and underground parts of Kaempferia parviflora. In the late growth period ( from November to January of the next year ), 30 % shading treatment was beneficial to the growth of the aboveground part of Kaempferia parviflora, and full illumination was beneficial to the growth of the underground part of Kaempferia parviflora. The rapid growth period of the aboveground part of Kaempferia parviflora was concentrated from August to November, and the rapid growth period of the underground part was concentrated from October to December. The moderate shading treatment (30 % shading degree) was beneficial to improve the yield of Kaempferia parviflora. However, too high shading degree (50 % shading degree) would greatly reduce the yield of Kaempferia parviflora. Therefore, 30% shading degree in the summer and full illumination in the autumn and winter would be the best illumination pattern for the plantation of K. parviflora in the southern China.