Heliconia rostrata

RHS Plant Profile
false bird of paradise

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false bird of paradise RHS
false bird of paradise RHS

Other common names

hanging lobster claw

Conservatory Greenhouse
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A very large, evergreen perennial with banana-like leaves up to 2m long. In spring and summer it produces hanging inflorescences made up of bright red bracts, each tipped with yellow and green, with yellowish-white flowers

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Heliconiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Heliconia are a genus of herbaceous plants varying in height from 0.5m up to 4.5m. Leaves are long and form in clumps with age. Flowers are produced on drooping panicles and are made up of bright-coloured waxy bracts. Flower colour is varied, ranging from reds and oranges to yellows and greens.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a neutral, 50:50 mixture of peat substitute and coarse sand or grit, in bright, filtered light

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in heat in spring, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut out faded flower stems and damaged or dying leaves

Pests

Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and snails

Diseases

Phytophthora root rot and pythium stem rot may be a problem