Heliconia pendula — Columnar upright

Overview

Heliconia pendula is a columnar upright conservatory greenhouse in the genus Heliconia, part of the Heliconiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Heliconia pendula grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. Suggested uses include patio and container plants and flower borders and beds.

About

Heliconia pendula is a cultivar of the Heliconia genus, which includes herbaceous plants growing between 0.5 and 4.5 metres tall with long clustered leaves. This cultivar has a columnar upright habit and evergreen foliage. Its flowers appear on pendulous panicles with vibrant, waxy bracts in various colours. Suitable for full sun or partial shade in sheltered, south-, west- or east-facing positions, it prefers moist but well-drained neutral loam soil. Hardy to H1a, it is ideal for patios, containers, and flower borders, with interest in spring and summer.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Heliconia

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H1a

Plant details

Heliconia pendula size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit: Columnar upright
Foliage: Evergreen
Suggested uses: Patio and container plants, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Heliconia pendula

Propagation: Seed sown in heat in spring, Division in spring
Pest resistance: Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, snails
Disease resistance: Phytophthora root rot, Pythium stem rot