Guide to growing heliconia at home for beautiful flowers

Heliconias are large, showy tropical plants characterised by their beautiful and colourful spikes of various shapes and colours. They live in warm, humid climates and have great ornamental value. They’ll even be used to reforest and protect water sources.

This plant is emblematic of the tropical rainforest and is understood for its beauty and enthusiasm. It’s also commonly generally known as platanillo or toucan beak.

Having it at home could be helpful, because it adds an exotic and attractive touch to any space, creating atmosphere within the garden or indoors. In this text, we’re going to let you know the right way to grow it in pots, in order that your private home looks beautiful and vigorous.

The characteristics of the heliconia plant

Native to South America, Central America, the Pacific Islands, and a few regions of Indonesia, most specimens are present in South America and the Caribbean. There are greater than 200 species, so each can vary in size.

There are those who measure around 70 centimeters to the biggest, which reach 10 meters in height. They experience rapid and vigorous growth in warm areas, as that is the climate that favors their development.

One other feature of heliconias is that they’ve large, alternating leaves much like those of banana plants. The stems are thick and rigid, which supplies them stability and resistance. They’ve different shapes, comparable to clusters or pendants, and are composed of brightly coloured bracts that surround the flowers.

One in every of the singularities of those plants is their striking and colourful spikes. Heliconia stands out when potted, because it adds color and elegance. It may possibly live as much as 20 years or more, accompanying you for a part of your life.

Easy methods to grow heliconia in pots

Growing heliconia in pots is a superb selection for home decoration. It requires easy care that could be done by any member of the family, in numerous seasons or periods of the 12 months. Follow this seven-step guide to provide help to plant it appropriately.

1. Select pot

Select a pot that’s large enough to accommodate the foundation system when growing heliconia. Be sure it has holes in the underside to permit for good water drainage.

2. Get the best fertile soil

Be sure to make use of a soil mix wealthy in organic matter during its growth. Apply a layer of compost across the plant, ensuring it doesn’t touch the stem. You too can add slightly sand to enhance drainage.

3. Give your plant a great position

Place the heliconia within the pot, ensuring the roots are covered with soil. Don’t bury the plant too deep; leave the neck of the rhizome, which is the part where the roots and stem meet, above the soil level.

4. Water your heliconia repeatedly

Heliconias prefer moist soils, so water every other day, but be certain that you simply don’t overwater it. It’s preferable to make use of a watering near the stem and not only spray the leaves and flowers.

5. Control the lighting and temperature

Place the pot in a spot where it receives indirect sunlight or filtered light. Avoid direct exposure to intense sun. Heliconias prefer warm temperatures, between 20°C and 30°C.

6. Protect it from the cold

If you happen to live in a chilly area, consider sheltering the plant in a hotter place. You too can cover it with insulating material, ensuring that this fabric doesn’t touch the leaves and flowers.

7. Perform regular pruning and maintenance

Remove faded leaves and flowers to maintain the plant clean and healthy. If essential, you’ll be able to trim off old or damaged stems. Removing these parts will improve its health.

Suggestions for growing heliconia in a garden

The flowers of those tropical plants may also shine in your garden for his or her beauty and color. As well as, they will probably be attractive to hummingbirds. Actually, some botanists have discovered that certain varieties of heliconia only allow themselves to be pollinated by some hummingbirds, but not by all, demonstrating selectivity.

We recommend that you simply locate a visual space where you’ll be able to plant them and make the most of their beauty. It’s very necessary that you simply select your variety in response to the climate and conditions of the location where the planting will probably be done.

Remember to go away adequate space between each certainly one of them, in order that there’s room for growth. It may possibly be between one and two meters.

As they grow, keep the world around them freed from weeds. You too can use a fertilizer for flowering plants to maintain them healthy.

You’ll be able to have tropical flowers in your private home

By growing heliconias, you’ll be able to have tropical plants right inside your private home. The’re often noted for his or her showy spikes, variable size, large leaves, and stiff stems. Because they’re long-lived, they’ve change into highly prized ornamental plants.

Following this care guide will mean you can enjoy them for a few years to come back. Just watch out for pests. Nematodes, screwworms, and weevils are essentially the most frequent aggressors. If you happen to let the infestation evolve, the plant could die. So within the presence of an indication of infection, seek the advice of a specialist or your nursery.

It’d interest you…