Heliconia Flower Plant Care With Proper Maintenance 

Tropical flowers never fail to astound and amaze with their colors and forms. Lobster claw plant (Heliconia rostrata) has without exception, with brightly, large hued bracts that cluster up a stem. Heliconia flower plant lobster claw is also called parrot flower and has inconsequential tiny flowers covered by the showy bracts. It is originated from Central to South America. What follows is some fun and interesting Heliconia plant info, care, growing facts and information regarding Heliconia plant. 

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Tropical gardeners are lucky to get some of the most fascinating flowering plants to grow. Heliconia flower plants are in a group of plants that may grow up to 15 feet about 4.5 m tall in nature but only to 3 to 6 feet 1-2 m in a home landscape. They are not frost hardy, and therefore not suited for growing outdoors where cold temperatures are common. These plant thick bracts make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life. 

Leaves are green, glossy, oval, and paddle shaped. These Heliconia flowers grow in an upright habit with the flower stems in the center. Heliconia Flower bracts are arranged in terminal racemes, which may be held straight pendulant. Heliconia lobster claw may be found in orange, red, or yellow, usually tipped with a bright gold splash.

Heliconia flower are appear until this perennial is two years old. 

There are three main species of Heliconia lobster claw: giant, hanging or small lobster claw. The plants grow and propagate rhizomes, which can be broken apart and used to start a new plant. Buy Heliconia flower plant here

Heliconia Lobster claw plants thrive in either partial shade or full sun locations. The soil must be sufficient drain providing, but fertile and moist. Potted Heliconia plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts soil, fine wood mulch and peat moss. Partial acidic soil is best. Plants grown in alkaline soil may exhibit deficiency of iron in the form of yellowing to white leaves.  The plant is partially drought tolerant but best results will ensue with consistent moisture. Ideal Heliconia plants growing conditions are humid and warm, similar to a tropical rainforest. They can thrive in sunny indoor conditions provided adequate humidity is supplied. 

Heliconia Lobster claw plant is a perennial that will arise every year from the rhizomes. New stems will develop after the old plant has flowered, creating a rapid display of the flowers over the years. Very cold temperatures will damage or kill the rhizomes.  These Heliconia flower plant need fertilizing in spring for best flowering and again every two months until fall. Cut back spent Heliconia flowers and leaves as they occur. If you want more of these lovely Heliconia plants in your garden, dig up the rhizome, and cut behind recent growth.  Dig out the growth and cut the stem back to one foot about 30 cm. Wash the rhizome and plant it in a small pot near the surface of the soil. Keep the pot in shade and moderately water until the first sprout. Then move it to protected sun and care as usual. Buy Heliconia flower plant here!