Botanical family: Heliconiaceae

Heliconia angusta

Clump forming perennials up to 4 feet tall (1.2 m)Watering Needs: Moist, well drained soil.Propagation: Clump division, or rhizome.

Heliconia angusta Christmas Holiday, Heliconia vaginalis

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Heliconia angusta, Christmas Holiday is a small shrub that typically grows 2 to 5 feet tall, although it can grow taller. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate some semi-shade. To achieve optimal growth, the soil should be rich, wet, and well-drained, with regular watering. This variety is commonly called the Christmas heliconia because its red and white inflorescences emerging during the winter Holiday season, although the plant will bloom throughout the rest of the year as well. It typically produces off-white or white flowers, often with red and crimson upper petals and vinous lower petals.

Christmas Holiday is relatively cold hardy, at least to 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a short exposure. It can also be grown in containers in cold regions, as long as those containers are brought inside during the winter months.

In areas where it can be grown outdoors in a garden, Christmas Holiday is best grown in USDA Zones 9-11. When grown outdoors in these climates, the plant will benefit from fertilizer and compost topdressing, as well as regular pruning to keep it within its desired size.

Overall, Christmas Holiday is a beautiful, cold hardy tropical shrub that can bring a lot of cheer to any garden or landscaping setting. With proper care, it can produce a stunning array of flowers with its signature red, white, and vinous color palette. With its low-maintenance growing requirements, it is a joy to share with family and friends.

Wild populations, which are native to southeastern Brazil, are classified as vulnerable.

Heliconia aurantiaca

Golden Heliconia - excellent cut flowers, resembling Bird of Paradise in yellow to orange! Endemic to Central America - south Mexico and Guatemala. Its natural habitat is montane forests. Tropical, evergreen perennial with short rhizomes and smooth, leathery, 7 to 16 inch long, oblong leaves. The plant is a smaller species (4 - 5 ft) with a compact, relatively small, erect inflorescence. Unusual, 8 inch long inflorescences, resembling birds of paradise, hold light yellow to orange sepaled flowers. Borne from spring through summer. Cold-sensitive and requires a minimum temperature of 40 F. This species does not tolerate heavy clearing and disturbance.

Heliconia bihai, Bihai bihai, Heliconia humilis

Heliconia bihai cv.Emerald Forest has a striking solid green flower which is great for exotic flower arrangements, especially when combined with white flowers. The plant is vigorous, erect and clumping, from 6-8 feet tall. Can grow in partial shade to full sun. Blooms from March through July.

Heliconia caribaea

Heliconia caribea is one of the largest heliconias found commonly in the trade. If in reasonable conditions, it blooms all year. Many clones are available in a variety of flower colors.

Watering Needs: Moist, well drained soil.

Propagation: Clump division, or rhizome.

One of the most impressive hybrids Heliconia Caribaea x bihai Jacquini is the harder to get large growing variety. It has eyecatching bright red/orange bracts which have a thick golden border. Jacquinii is a natural hybrid that blooms prolifically in summer and autumn with spectacular huge upright bracts. A large, erect plant habit, with big broad tropical leaves. The bihais are quite tolerant of cooler conditions. Height growth varies 5-7 ft depending on the warmth of your climate. Grows well in partial shade to full sun.

Heliconia collinsiana, Bihai collinsiana

Heliconia collinsiana is a popular ornamental plant in hot regions with a humid climate. Waxy white stems and undersides of leaves with long, pendulous bracts of orange and red. The fruits are very attractive, first yellow, then becoming mature to a bright purple-blue color.

Heliconia hirsuta

Heliconia hirsuta Costa Flores is native to Costa Rica. It blooms from late spring to early summer. The Costa Flores produces dark red bracts with yellow sepals with black accents on them. It enjoys full sun to partial shade and flourishes in zones 10 and higher. To prevent wilting, it is recommended to water this plant daily. It can grow to be 3 to 5 feet in height. Great for attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.

Heliconia latispatha

Heliconia latispatha grows up to 12 ft tall, with leaves resembling those of bananas. Inflorescence is erect, up to 2 ft long, with red or orange bracts subtending green, yellow or orange flowers. What is nice about this Heliconia is how the blooms appear at the very top of the stalk, shown off above all the leaves.

Heliconia orthotricha

A showstopping perennial ornamental from the banana family, Heliconia orthotricha is native to Northern South America. These stunning plants boast bright and vibrant flowers that become the center of attention in any garden. With their colorful, large inflorescences in red, pink, and yellow hues. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds to any landscape.

The Heliconia orthotricha is a large shrub that can reach heights of 5-10 ft tall and is a petite shrub at 2-5 ft. It does best in a full sun to semi-shade environment and requires regular watering and heavy feeding in rich soil. Though it generally thrives in USDA Zone 9-11, it can in fact be grown in colder regions in a pot, although extra care must be taken when temperatures drop.

This magnificent plant produces huge red, crimson or vinous flowers, as well as stunning pink and yellow or orange blooms. The inflorescence can last up to two months, and their showy appearance makes the Heliconia orthotricha an ideal plant for anyone seeking a tropical look in their outdoor space. The plant is known for its firework-like beauty that is sure to add to any garden's wow factor.

Overall, the Heliconia orthotricha is a fantastic perennial ornamental to bring a tropical flair to any outdoor setting. Whether planted in the ground or grown in a pot, its stunning flowers will bring beauty, joy, and life to the space.

Heliconia psittacorum, Bihai psittacorum

Heliconias are one of the most tropical looking plants. It is a must to have in a garden to create a tropical paradise. Heliconia psittacorum varieties form a group of smaller growing Heliconias which rarely exceed 5ft (1.5 m). They are less affected by cool temperatures than other Heliconias and also require less care. Can be grown in containers and kept indoors. Psittacorums have no particular blooming season and produce inflorescences all year long, usually blooming already during the first year after planting. Inflorescence makes a long lasting cut flower. The reddish pointed structures are called bracts. These tough, leathery structures protect the actual flower, which is yellow and quite delicate. The hummingbird that comes to this flower has a beak precisely shaped to fit into the flower. When the bird feeds, it receives a meal of nectar and in return, the plant's flower is pollinated. Grow best at temperatures above 70 F and should never be subjected to temperatures of less than 50 F for extended periods. Heavy feeders. The soil should be kept moist between waterings, never soaking wet. Propagation by rhizomes. See Thai Heliconia - varieties Gallery.