Wild Plantain

Heliconia irrasa

Native to:
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panamá
Wild Plantain

Franz Xaver

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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