Macawflower
Heliconia bihai
- Native to:
- Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Leeward Is., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Windward Is.
Wicki
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Heliconiaceae
- Genus:
- Heliconia
- Species:
- Heliconia bihai
- USDA Symbol:
- HEBI4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 450 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- red, orange, yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic matter-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require warmth (75-85°F) and consistent moisture; germination is slow and erratic. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI