Platanillo
Heliconia collinsiana
- Native to:
- Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua
Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Tauʻolunga,Dick Culbert (www.flickr.com) from Gibsons, B.C., Canada,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Heliconiaceae
- Genus:
- Heliconia
- Species:
- Heliconia collinsiana
- USDA Symbol:
- HECO31
Growth Characteristics
- 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, 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
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have erratic germination; soaking in warm water and maintaining high temperatures (75-85°F) improves success. Fresh seed germinates more reliably.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI