Looking to add some tropical vibe to your garden? Look no further than one of my favorite tropical plants, Heliconias. Heliconias come in many different varieties, two of the most common and easiest types to grow in South Florida’s Zone 10 are Parrot flowers and Lobster claw Heliconias.
Meet the Lobster claw Heliconia (Heliconia rostrata). Featuring large, shiny banana-like foliage and thick stems that support large hanging bracts of red and yellow flowers it is difficult to picture a more tropical plant. They originated in rainforests of South and Central America as understory plants. It is written that the flowers evolved to this shape to attract tropical hummingbirds to pollinate them. In my garden, the hummingbirds aren’t around at the same time as the flowers, so I am guessing this is a phenomena that happens much further south.
While some Lobster claw Heliconia can grow to 15 feet tall, these are usually more tropical types in an actual rainforest. The plants grown in Zone 10 are usually smaller and can be damaged with an extraordinarily cold snap.
Lobsterclaw Heliconia are easily grown in a partial shade setting with ample moisture. They like rich, well drained soil and benefit from compost in the planting hole and mulch. I grow them in my garden on the north side of the house under the edge of the roof. They are very happy and provide cut flowers in the summer.
This is a smaller Lobsterclaw Heliconia in my garden. I enjoy cutting these for smaller vases.
Here is a parrot for the garden. Heliconia psittacorum AKA the Parrot flower. I would characterize this as a tropical flowering perennial. They are leafy, grow about two feet tall, enjoy a moist, part shade environment and can spread like mad if happy. I have had these produce flowers almost every month of the year. I believe they slow down with extremes in weather (drought, heat, cold). Below is the “Lady Di” Parrot flower.
This is another long lasting cut flower. I have a few in a vase by my front door.
The Shrub Queen 
Definitely one of my favorite tropicals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here.
LikeLike
I love their colours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do too.
LikeLike
Nature sure can make some unusual flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
to attract pollinators!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The colours are nice and warm and the flowers are fascinating. They look like they should smell very sweet, with those shiny petals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy. I have not noticed a scent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So exotic, I love them! We are much too dry here to enjoy them in our gardens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tracy I do, too.
LikeLike
Thank you for this information! I have been googling about these plants and cannot find much information on them or even where to buy them? I have a Heliconia Choconiana and it’s flourishing ever since I started fertilizing it…. My neighbors left it behind and I am thrilled … lol I am in southeast Florida 33442 area zone 11
LikeLiked by 1 person
My H. psittacorum came from Home Depot. The bigger ones are from the plant sales at botanical gardens. I would email Costa Farms in Miami and see what they know. Or look on Etsy. I am always surprised by what I find there.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your quick response!! I appreciate it so much. I will see what I can find out . Be well !
LikeLiked by 1 person