Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Heliconiaceae

Genus:

Heliconia

Species:

Heliconia platystachys

USDA Symbol:

HEPL5

Growth Characteristics

Height:

300 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep,oct

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 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to tropical rainforests, prefers organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

30–180 days

Notes:

Seeds require warm temperatures (75-85°F) and consistent moisture; germination can be erratic and slow.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI