Heliconia psittacorum (parakeet flower) — Columnar upright

Overview

Heliconia psittacorum is a columnar upright conservatory greenhouse in the genus Heliconia, part of the Heliconiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Heliconia psittacorum 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 psittacorum, commonly known as the parakeet flower, is a cultivar of the Heliconia genus, which comprises herbaceous plants with long clustered leaves and pendulous panicles of vibrant, waxy bracts. This evergreen plant has a columnar upright habit and thrives in full sun or partial shade, ideally in a sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing position. It prefers moist but well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH and is suitable for conservatories or greenhouses in the UK, where it is hardy to H1a. It is often used in patio containers or flower borders and is of interest during 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 psittacorum 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 psittacorum

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