Heliconia

Heliconia is a group of frost-tender perennials grown for their attractive foliage and brilliant flower spikes. They are found naturally in tropical forests of eastern Brazil. They have several common names including Lobster's Claws, Parrot's Flower, Parrot's Plantain and False Plantain. H. psittacorum has lance-shaped, evergreen leaves on long stalks, which may be tinged scarlet. In the summer, on mature plants only, cylindrical flowers are produced in erect clusters; they are orange with green tips enclosed in large, waxy, orange-red bracts. This plant grows up to 6 feet high with a spread of 3 feet. H. illustris variety aureo-striata has green leaves veined with ivory and pink. H. humilis has salmon-red and green bracts surrounding yellowish flowers.

Pot Cultivation

Parrot's Flowers need a minimum temperature of 65 degrees. In cool climates, they should be grown in a house or greenhouse in equal parts of loam and leaf mold, half a part of thoroughly decayed manure, and a bit of sand. Repotting, if necessary, should be done in February. They need plenty of water while they are growing actively and very sparingly when they are not. When planting outdoors, they should be planted in well-drained soil in a sun or partial shade.

Propagation

Propagation is by division or seeds in the spring.