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Heliconia rostrata

Image of Heliconia rostrata

James Burghardt

Family

Heliconiaceae

Botanical Name

Heliconia rostrata

Plant Common Name

False Bird-of-Paradise, Hanging Lobster Claw

General Description

Hanging lobster claw is a tropical perennial grown for spectacular, pendulous flowers and is native to the Amazon region of South America from Columbia to Peru. This large plant's banana-like leaves grow directly from thick, quickly spreading rhizomes or underground, lateral stems. The medium green leaves are held on long petioles (leaf stalks) and are easily shredded by the wind. Large, waxy flowers are produced on hanging stalks which appear between the petiole and leaf blade late spring though summer. The colorful part of the flower is a modified leaf or bract and is generally crimson red edged with yellow and green. The bracts are shaped like a parrot’s beak or a lobster’s claw and stack on top of one another on the pendent stalk. True flowers are white to yellow and held within the bracts.

Hanging lobster claw is the perfect plant to impart a tropical look to any landscape. Best in sunny to partly sunny locations, plant in well-drained, moist, organic-rich soils. It is also a heavy feeder and requires regular applications of fertilizer and water when in active growth. Frost sensitive, it's a good tub or conservatory specimen where not hardy. The plants spread and may grow into an expansive clump, but less so in drier soils and regions where dry and cool winters force a dormancy. Thin the plantings and dig wayward shoots to control the fast-growing plant. Use lobster claw around pools, in beds, in the backs of borders and for fabulous cutflowers.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 10

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m (8)

  • Width

    6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red, Green

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Multi-Color

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No