Heliconias may be the quintessential tropical plant. Closely related to the banana tree, they present a bold look with large leaves and fabulous, brightly colored flowers! There are over 200 varieties in sizes from a couple of feet tall to over 15 feet. The flower bracts can be orange, red, yellow, green or a combination.
If you live in USDA zone 10 they will grow and flower in your garden. A few varieties will grow in zone 9 or even 8. For everyone else they will have to be kept indoors, at least in the winter. Heliconias grow and spread quickly. Most varieties do best in a light shade, although some can take full sun. The do best in temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. Below 50 degrees they will show some damage, and below freezing will kill them.
Heliconias grow from rhizomes. Rhizomes are basically underground stems from which the roots and stems grow. If you are starting from rhizomes, plant them in a well drained, rich organic soil, just below the surface. Give it a plenty of water, but not so much that it stays wet all the time. Root rot is the biggest danger to new plants. Once you have new shoots, start giving it fertilizer. They should be fertilized several times during the warmer months. Most varieties will bloom the first year.
If you are growing heliconias indoors, choosing a small variety is usually best. Psittacorum is a good choice. Give them as much light as possible. A good strategy is to keep them outdoors in the warm season and then move them indoors before nighttime temperatures get below 50. Just don’t move them from inside, out into the full sun or they will burn!
Heliconias make a spectacular garden plant, a dramatic houseplant and also provide you with beautiful cut flowers. Inside or out they will give your home an unmistakably tropical feel.
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