Light. It does well in part shade and also tolerates sun.
Water. Keep the soil moist. It has only moderate drought tolerance, so water during dry spells.
Soil and feeding. It grows and flowers best in fertile, moist soil; mix compost into sandy beds. Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
Size. Grows to about 5–6 ft, spreading 3–6 ft.
Problems to watch. Leaf spots are the main disease. Scale and nematodes can also cause trouble.
Good to know. Suited to zones 10B–11. A freeze can kill the tops to the ground, but new shoots return in warm weather. It spreads quickly, so a root barrier helps.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS FPS248/FP248: Heliconia rostrata, Lobster Claw · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Heliconia · UF/IFAS EDIS FPS249/FP249: Heliconia spp., Heliconia
