hybrid Lenten rose

Heliconias are fast-growing, exotic tropical plants enjoyed for their colorful bird-like inflorescences and contant flower blooms. When it comes to watering, heliconias require consistently moist soil in order for the plant to thrive. That means that the soil needs to be moist but not soggy at all times. Water your heliconias deeply but infrequently - about every 7-10 days - when the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry to the touch. In warmer temperatures, or during periods of drought, you should offer your heliconias more frequent waterings to ensure that the soil stays moist. Additionally, in summer months, it is advisable to double check if enough water is reaching the roots of the plant - use a long-stemmed irrigation probe to make sure that the roots are getting their fair share of water.

Heliconia spp. needs at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis to help promote optimum growth and flowering. It can grow in an area of partial shade, but to promote the best blooming, 6–8 hours of direct sunlight should be provided. They thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, and don't appreciate too much heat, so during the hottest part of the day, make sure they have some shade or indirect sunlight.

Heliconia plants should be pruned in the early spring before they start to produce new growth. This can help encourage more and bigger blooms when the plant starts to flower. It is best to prune off any dead or weak growth and to reduce the number of stems by removing the smaller and less robust ones to encourage healthier growth. If your Heliconia is very overgrown, you may have to prune it back significantly to control its size. In general, you should only remove around 1-third of the plant at a time.