Colours and shapes
Heliconia looks like a cross between Indian shot, bird of paradise and banana plant. In the wild the plant can grow to a height of 5 m, but before you have your ceiling removed bear in mind that indoors it will only reach about 30 cm. The bracts grow amidst the sturdy, bouncy leaves, turning this unusual plant into a celebration. They have an eye-catching red, round, pointy shape with a hint of green and yellow. Small insignificant red, orange, yellow or pink flowers grow between the bracts. You can opt for upright or hanging habits.
Symbolism
If you want to stay young and beautiful, buy a Heliconia. Or you could go the whole hog and fill your house with the plant. The plant is named after the Greek Mount Helikon, where the Muses lived. They always remained fresh, fruity, beautiful and the young. The mountain is now in the Zagreb range in Boeotia.
Origin
Heliconia originates from Central and South America and from a number of southern islands in the Pacific Ocean, and was first discovered in 1786. This moodmaker is now planted in the tropics all around the globe. In the past it was a member of the Musaceae family, and is now the only plant in the Heliconiaceae family. But there are 200 species, so it’s not lonely!
