Heliconia rostrata aka False Bird Of Paradise

Heliconia rostrata belongs to the Heliconiaceae family. It stays green and lives for many years. Common names include hanging lobster claw and false bird of paradise. Kew places its native range in western South America. It grows in wet, tropical climates. It spreads by rhizomes, which are stems beneath the soil. Thick, green stems grow in upright clumps with an open shape.

Sources give quite different sizes for plants in gardens. Florida guidance lists a height of 5–6 feet [1.5–1.8 metres]. It gives a spread of 3–6 feet [0.9–1.8 metres]. RHS lists 13–26 feet [4–8 metres] in both height and spread. Growth is fast. Still, RHS gives five to ten years to reach full size. Long leaf stalks rise straight from the ground. Dark green leaves feel like leather and look like banana leaves. They can reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] long. Each leaf is simple, with one whole, oval blade. It has smooth edges and pinnate veins branching from the midrib. Leaves grow in turn along the stem and stay green.

Hanging groups of flowers grow on second-year stems. Red bracts, or changed leaves, have yellow and green tips. They surround small flowers, pale yellow to yellow-white in colour. RHS and Florida sources give spring and summer as bloom times. Chicago records blooms through much of the year in its conditions. Hummingbirds feed on the nectar and move pollen between flowers. Blue fruit adds little to the plant's looks. Cut flower groups can last several weeks indoors.

Give this plant warmth, shelter, and moist soil that drains well. In a glasshouse, give it bright light through a filter. Plants outdoors can grow in part sun. Florida guidance also reports good growth in full sun. Rich soil helps the plant grow and bloom. RHS suggests equal parts peat substitute and coarse sand or grit. Florida sources say it tolerates sand, loam, and clay. They also report tolerance of a range of soil pH levels. USDA guidance places it in zones 10b–11. RHS rates it H1A. It needs glasshouse warmth all year in the UK. Use it in tropical borders or large pots. It also suits planting as a lone focal plant. Split clumps in spring, or sow seed with heat. Cut off spent flower stems and damaged or dying leaves.

Watch for red spider mites, mealybugs, snails, and scale insects. Nematodes and fungal leaf spots may cause problems too. Other risks include Phytophthora root rot and Pythium stem rot. Florida guidance says problems are not serious in most cases. It does not list the species as invasive.