How do you care for the tropical plant heliconia?

Answer 1

First: determine whether you have a runner or a clumper- some will spread indefinitely linearly and others clump around a single spot. If planting outside, be sure you take into account the growing habit. Once established heliconias are aggressive growers and need room to spread out most require 4' to 6' spacing. Bloom boosting fertilizers once a season will keep plants blooming year round, but they will bloom most readily during the rainy seasons. The real trick with heliconias is once the blooms (actually infloresence, it's not really a blossom) is spent, you must cut off the entire stalk...to the ground! This will encurage new growth and new blooms and will keep your plants thinned out and healthy looking. After a lot of wind, you will need to go in and trim off tattered leaves that are easily shredded by the wind. After Katrina and Wilma passed through South Florida, it took over a year for my heliconias (Jaquini, Dimitri and Rostrata) to look lush again. Heliconias are a lot of work, but are a stunning addition to the landscape when cared for properly.