Wild Plantain
Heliconia irrasa
- Native to:
- Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panamá
Franz Xaver
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Heliconiaceae
- Genus:
- Heliconia
- Species:
- Heliconia irrasa
- USDA Symbol:
- HEIR
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, orange
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (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 and may take several months. Fresh seed and warm, humid conditions improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI