Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 19ş to 27ş C. (66ş to 81ş F).

Division of the clump (rhizome) during spring with 3 to 4 canes planted in a sandy medium and placed in a humid position to establish.


Botanic information
Leaf: The thin textured oblong leaves are up to 300mm (12in) wide and the sheaved petiole forms a pseudo-trunk. They are arranged in 2-ranks with a long slender petiole and the apex is obtuse.

Flower: The flowers consist of tubulate-like tepals that are partly united and contain 5-stamens. The flowers are arranged in the axil of stiff, red-powdery bract. The 6 to 9 reflexed pendulous bracts are arranged spirally along the pendent peduncle and appear during summer.

Fruit: The globular, berry-like capsule contains 1 to 3 seeds. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.


Culture
All plants in this genus require abundant moisture during the growing season and rich humus rich soil. They tolerate some cooler weather but prefer a hot humid environment. It the soil becomes frozen the plant dies off but if it is not too severe the rhizome will re-shoot.

The flowers only appear on 2-year old growth and under cold conditions it may never flower.
If grown in containers use a peat base sandy mix and use a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing period and reduce watering during winter.