Heliconia

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Heliconia remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is watering generously in summer and reducing in winter. Everything else follows from that. spider mite infestations in hot dry conditions is the ch…

I started with one Heliconia and now have four, all from propagation. The process is straightforward once you understand watering generously in summer and reducing in winter — something I picked up from trial and error rather than any guide. I display them in a bathroom with high natural light and …

I planted Heliconia at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. leaf browning from low humidity in centrally heated rooms didn't help matters. Once I understood maintaining temperatures above 15°C throughout the year things improv…

I planted Heliconia without expecting much and it's become one of the most satisfying things in my garden. natural air-purifying properties noted in indoor conditions is something I couldn't have predicted from looking at it in a nursery. You only understand it once the plant is established and perf…

I don't have a garden so a bright living room away from draughts is my only option for Heliconia. It absolutely works — with the right attention to maintaining temperatures above 15°C throughout the year you can get excellent results in containers. dramatic large leaves or flowers that create an in…

As a complete beginner I was nervous about starting with Heliconia. It turned out to be more forgiving than I expected, as long as I paid attention to maintaining temperatures above 15°C throughout the year. I grow mine in a summer patio with shelter from wind and cold nights which is working reall…

I nearly gave up on Heliconia after three months of mediocre results. Then I focused properly on providing high humidity through pebble trays or regular misting and within a few weeks the difference was dramatic. It now lives in a bathroom with high natural light and steam humidity and has genuinel…

I've been growing Heliconia for a full year now and want to capture what each season offered. active growth flush when moved outdoors in early summer was the clear high point — everything you're told about Heliconia at that time of year is true. But the plant has something to offer in every season, …

Here are my notes from twelve months of growing Heliconia: Spring: reduced watering rest period in winter. This was the moment that confirmed the whole venture. I focused on watering generously in summer and reducing in winter during this period which set up the rest of the year. fast growth in wa…

After growing Heliconia for over a year here is what I'd tell a beginner. First: providing high humidity through pebble trays or regular misting is not optional — it's the foundation everything else depends on. Second: yellowing leaves from overwatering or cold root temperatures will happen and you…