General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 6 to 20 feet
Plant Spread: Clump forming, 3 to 4 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Holds up well in floral arrangements.
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Flower Color: Yellow
Other: Small yellow flowers emerge from claw-shaped bracts 2 to 3 feet long. Floral bracts are brilliant red to pink, edged in yellow and green. Unlike other Heliconias with an upright inflorescence, the infloresence of H. rostrata is pendent (downward.)
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Summer
Other: May flower year-round if conditions permit.
Underground structures: Rhizome
Suitable Locations: Houseplant
Uses: Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Birds
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Awards and Recognitions: Other: National Flower of Bolivia

Image
Common names
  • Hanging Lobster Claw
  • Lobster Claw
  • Crab Claws
  • False Bird of Paradise

Photo Gallery
Location: Conservatory, Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan
Date: 2018-04-30
Heliconiaceae:  Heliconia rostrata - these are bracts, not the ac
Location: Conservatory, Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan
Date: 2018-08-17
Heliconiaceae:  Heliconia rostrata - bi-color bracts act like car
Location: Seychelles
Date: December
Location: My garden
Date: 2022-06-13
Location: Kew Gardens, London, UK.
Date: 2022-08-31
Location: Monte Verde, Costa Rica | Old Photo
Date: 2022-12-20

Date: 2012-02-05
photo credit: Conrad
Location: Conservatory, Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan
Date: 2018-08-17
Heliconiaceae:  Heliconia rostrata - Once they emerge from the br
Photo by beckygardener
Location: La Fortuna, Costa Rica | Old Photo
Date: 2022-12-17
Location: Boltz Conservatory of Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin
photo credit: James Steakley

Date: March
credit: Prenn
Location: Vero Beach, Florida
Date: 2016-06-18
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: fall 2008
Location: At a neighbor's yard - Manila, Philippines
Date: 2011-07-26
Heliconia in the rain
Comments:

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