Overview
Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' is a columnar upright conservatory greenhouse in the genus Heliconia, part of the Heliconiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' 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 schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' is a cultivar of the Heliconia genus, which consists of herbaceous plants known for their columnar upright habit and long clustered leaves. This evergreen plant produces pendulous panicles with vibrant, waxy bracts in spring and summer. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing aspects with fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil of neutral pH. Suitable for patios, containers, and flower borders, it requires protection in the UK climate (H1a) and can be propagated by seed sown in heat or by division in spring.
About the genus
Heliconia is a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae. Most of the 194 known species are native to the tropical Americas, but a few are indigenous to certain islands of the western Pacific and Maluku in Indonesia.
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 schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' 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 schiedeana 'Fire and Ice'
- 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 schiedeana 'Fire and Ice'?
Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' need?
Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' hardy in the UK?
Heliconia schiedeana 'Fire and Ice' 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 schiedeana 'Fire and Ice'?
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'