Heliconia psittacorum 'Hawaii'

When grown as houseplants, give the brightest indirect light you can. Heliconias need plenty of light and warmth to make flowers; a heated greenhouse or sunroom is the best option. Otherwise, choose a southern or western window and rotate it periodically so the entire plant gets the light.

All species of Heliconia require ample and continuous water to thrive but with good drainage. Proper watering is the most critical element of growing these plants successfully. Plants subjected to drought will experience leaf-browning, especially along the leaf margins. To protect your plant during the winter, use tepid water during watering. Ensure the soil dries out almost entirely between watering and then water immediately.

Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks throughout the growing season. Cut fertilizer back to once a month or so in the winter. For flowering, you want a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content. A bone meal supplement is suitable for adding phosphorus. It can also strengthen root systems. Remove spent flowers and stems as they fade. As new shoots appear at the soil level, you should remove the old flowering stems. A rich, peat-based potting soil with excellent drainage is beneficial for potted plants. These plants can quickly develop root rot in soil that is too wet. An even mixture of wood-based compost and peat moss makes an ideal potting soil.