Overview
Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' is a columnar upright conservatory greenhouse in the genus Heliconia, part of the Heliconiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' 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 'Strawberries and Cream' is a cultivar of Heliconia, a genus of herbaceous plants known for their columnar upright habit and evergreen foliage. This plant thrives in conservatories or greenhouses, requiring full sun or partial shade and a sheltered position with fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil of neutral pH. It produces vibrant flowers on pendulous panicles during spring and summer, adding interest to patios, containers, flower borders, and beds. The species typically grows between 0.5 and 4.5 metres tall, with long clustered leaves and waxy bracts in various colours.
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 'Strawberries and Cream' 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 'Strawberries and Cream'
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream'?
Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' need?
Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' hardy in the UK?
Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream' has an RHS hardiness rating of H1a, meaning it needs tropical warmth above 15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Heliconia psittacorum 'Strawberries and Cream'?
Seed sown in heat in spring, Division in spring.
More in the Heliconia genus
- Heliconia 'Golden Torch'
- Heliconia 'Guyana'
- Heliconia angusta 'Holiday'
- Heliconia angusta 'Yellow Christmas'
- Heliconia bourgaeana
- Heliconia caribaea
- Heliconia caribaea 'Dominican Yellow'
- Heliconia caribaea 'Prince of Darkness'