Heliconia Rostrata Is the Showy, Ornamental Flowering Plant You Need in Your Garden

When you want to introduce a touch of the exotic to your landscape, make a statement with the showy, ornamental Heliconia Rostrata. Each tall stem features lush, dark green, paddle-shaped foliage topped with a drooping inflorescence with bright red flowering bracts.

The small, hanging yellow flower clusters stay around for weeks when in bloom. The dramatic formation of these bracts is where the plant gets some of its common names—the false bird of paradise and lobster claw.

You are limited to growing lobster claw outdoors in the sultry southern states or greenhouses. They prefer a partial shade position and moist, fertile soil.

It is possible to grow heliconia indoors, but it’s tricky. The plants are very particular about evenly warm temperatures, humidity levels, and sunlight—plus, they need plenty of space.

Heliconia Rostrata Care

The key care requirements for your heliconia rostrata include:

• Locate in a full sun or partial shade position.
• Plant in well-drained, fertile soil.
• Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.
• Position in a sheltered spot to protect from strong winds.
• Fertilize regularly during the growing season.

Light

Lobster claw does well in a partial shade position. However, unlike many heliconia species, it can also tolerate full sun, and if the heat isn’t too intense, this helps promote more blooms.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained, moist soil is key to allowing your heliconia rostrata to thrive. Amending with some compost or other organic matter is beneficial, especially if your soil is sandy.

This species prefers an acid or neutral soil. Plants grown in soils with pH levels above 6.5 can be prone to iron deficiencies.

Water

Heliconia rostrata is not a drought-tolerant plant. It doesn’t appreciate it if you leave it in dry soil, even for a short while, and the lush leaves will turn yellow or brown. When there isn’t enough rainfall in the growing season, water this plant regularly.

You can allow the soil to partially dry before rewatering, but consistently moist (not soggy) soils are best. When things are hot and dry, you might have to water as often as two or three times a week. Reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to dry out more in the winter.

Temperature and Humidity

While lobster claw is a tropical plant best grown outdoors in the consistently hot, humid southern states, it is more tolerant of cool temperatures than some heliconia species. It can survive in temperatures as low as 60°F, although it might not be as vigorous or bear such impressive blooms.

If there is a rare light frost in your warm southern region, your heliconia rostrata should survive. Although the stems will die back to the ground, the roots will produce new shoots the following season. Prolonged freezes mean death.

This tropical beauty’s tall, spectacular stems also need protection from strong winds in a suitably sheltered position. Coastal locations are not ideal as these plants are not salt tolerant.

Fertilizer

Heliconia rostrata is a fast-growing species that appreciates regular feeding during the growing season. Pick a high-quality, slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer.

To produce the most prolific blooms, consider topping up with applications of a liquid fertilizer every few weeks in the summer season. This is especially helpful if you are growing your plant in a container. Don’t fertilize your heliconia rostrata in the winter.

Pruning

Once flowering is over, cutting back the stems on your heliconia rostrata is helpful. This encourages new sucker growth for the following season. Other than that, simply remove any damaged or dying foliage.

Propagating Heliconia Rostrata

Heliconia rostrata are clump-forming perennials that are easy to propagate by division of their rhizomes. Do this in the spring, just as new shoots emerge. This helps to control the spread of these fast-growers, retain the health of the parent plant, and make new pass-along plants. Follow the steps below to divide your heliconia rostrata:

1. Dig around the clump with care to remove the plant from the ground. Try not to cut into any rhizomes.
2. Gently remove excess soil from the rhizomes (shake and then hose with water) to allow you to decide where and how many divisions you will make. This varies depending on the size of the plant and the number of stems.
3. Gently separate the individual rhizomes, taking care not to break any as you work.
4. Remove any diseased or dying rhizomes.
5. Break up the clump using a sharp, sterile garden knife. Make sure each division has sufficient healthy rhizomes attached.
6. Replant the divisions, ensuring they receive adequate light, shelter, and moisture. Continue to water regularly while you wait for signs of new growth.

Potting and Repotting Heliconia Rostrata

Heliconia rostrata does well in containers, but select a pot that is wide and sturdy enough to accommodate the spreading rhizomes and tall, top-heavy stems. And be prepared to divide and repot this plant regularly. While it is happy being slightly rootbound, heliconia rostrata is a fast-growing, clumping species that can reach over 5 feet tall.

How to Get Heliconia Rostrata to Bloom

While the tall stems and lush foliage of the heliconia rostrata add a tropical vibe to any landscape, the bracts and blooms are what make this plant stand out. Learn more about the flowers of the heliconia rostrata to make the most out of them.

Bloom Months

When temperatures are consistently warm, and you get the care right, your Heliconia rostrata can bloom year-round. However, they mostly bloom between late spring and late fall.

How Long Does Heliconia Rostrata Bloom?

Each cluster of drooping bracts and blooms on your heliconia rostrata can last for several weeks. The tall stems are popular, long-lasting additions to cut flower arrangements. They can last around two weeks in a vase.

What Do Heliconia Rostrata Flowers Look Like?

The large hanging bracts of the heliconia rostrata are vivid scarlet-red and have yellow and green edging. Their appearance is where heliconia rostrata gets its common names: lobster’s claw or bird of paradise. The small, yellow, drooping flowers sit within these bracts. The blooms usually appear on stems after two years. 

How to Encourage More Blooms

Warmth and humidity are key to ensuring healthy flowering in your heliconia rostrata. There’s no point in planting this species in a northern region where the temperatures drop below 15°F and summers aren’t humid and hot. Keep the plant consistently moist and well-fed during the growing season, too.

Cutting the flowering stems back after the end of the bloom season can encourage prolific flowering the following season.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Heliconia rostrata isn’t usually bothered by serious pest and disease problems. Spider mites and sometimes thrips and mealybugs can bother the plant in the summer months.

Watch out for signs of these pests and take action immediately to prevent an infestation from occurring. Controlling spider mites and other pests is normally not too tricky. Washing off with water or using an insecticidal soap can be enough.

Common Problems with Heliconia Rostrata

Despite its exotic appearance, keeping heliconia rostrata looking its best isn’t too challenging if you can offer the right conditions, but it isn’t a low-maintenance plant.

Watch out for the warning signs below, which are common indicators you need to change something to do with the plant’s care or conditions.

Tattered Leaves

Strong winds can cause the large leaves of the heliconia rostrata to become tattered along the veins. To avoid this unsightly occurrence, transplant your plant to a more sheltered spot in your yard.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Heliconia rostrata grown in alkaline soil can become iron deficient. A sign of this problem can be curling and yellowing leaves. Test your soil if you need clarification on pH levels. Letting the soil dry out too much can also turn leaves yellow—ensure the soil remains evenly moist.

Leaves Turning Brown

Browning leaves, particularly around the margins, can also be a sign of underwatering. Too much direct sunlight can also scorch the leaves in the hottest states. In these instances, move the plant to a spot where it receives morning sun but is shaded from the intense afternoon sun.