Parakeetflower

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Monocots
• Order: Zingiberales
• Family: Heliconiaceae
• Genus: Heliconia
• Species: Heliconia psittacorum

Common Names by Region

• English: Parakeet Flower, False Bird of Paradise, Parrot’s Beak
• Spanish: Heliconia Papagayo, Platanillo
• Portuguese: Bananeira-do-mato
• Thai: เฮลิโคเนีย
• Malay/Indonesian: Pisang-pisang

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Description

Growth Habit

Heliconia psittacorum is a fast-growing, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial known for its striking, upright inflorescences. It spreads through underground rhizomes and thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.

Size

• Typically grows between 0.9 – 1.5 meters (3 – 5 feet) in height
• Clumping spread of 1 – 2 meters (3 – 6 feet) in diameter

Leaves

• Shape: Lanceolate to oblong, resembling banana leaves
• Size: 30 – 60 cm (12 – 24 inches) long
• Color: Deep green with a glossy texture
• Arrangement: Alternate along the stem

Flowers

• Inflorescence Type: Upright, cylindrical bracts forming a showy, bird-like structure
• Color: Bright orange, yellow, or red bracts with contrasting black-tipped floral lobes
• Blooming Period: Year-round in warm climates
• Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees

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Known Range

Native Range

• Northern South America, Central America, and the Caribbean
• Commonly found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and the Lesser Antilles

Cultivated Range

• Widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, India, Australia, and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
• Frequently grown in gardens, urban landscaping, and botanical collections

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Care Requirements

Light

• Thrives in full sun to partial shade
• Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily

Watering

• Requires consistent moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogging
• Best results with regular irrigation in dry periods

Soil

• Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil
• Ideal pH range: 5.5 – 7.0

Humidity

• High humidity (60% or higher) preferred
• Benefits from occasional misting in drier environments

Temperature

• Optimal growth at 21 – 30°C (70 – 86°F)
• Sensitive to temperatures below 10°C (50°F)
• Frost-sensitive and requires protection in cooler climates

Propagation

• By Rhizome Division: Best method, as Heliconia spreads naturally via underground rhizomes
• By Seeds: Slow and less reliable; requires warm, humid conditions for germination

Common Pests/Diseases

• Pests: Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects
• Diseases: Fungal leaf spots, root rot (if overwatered), bacterial wilt

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Additional Notes

Special Features

• Attracts Pollinators: Hummingbirds and butterflies frequent the flowers
• Erosion Control: The dense clumping growth helps stabilize soil
• Low Maintenance: Requires little pruning beyond removing spent blooms
• Cut Flower Use: Long-lasting in floral arrangements

Maintenance Level

• Moderate: Requires occasional division and regular watering, but generally resilient in tropical settings