Heliconia angusta 'Christmas Holiday' (Christmas Holiday Heliconia)

Heliconia angusta, Christmas Holiday Heliconia

Botanical name: Heliconia angusta

Common name: Christmas Holiday Heliconia

Cultivar: Christmas Holiday

Origin: Brazil

Hardiness: 35°F

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.