Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 19ş to 27ş C. (66ş to 81ş F).
Division of the rhizome, including a growing tip during spring.


Botanic information
Leaf: The large oblong light green leaves have an abrupt acuminate apex and a slightly reddish petiole that is up to 2m (6ft) long.

Flower: The erect spike is up to 1.1m (3˝ft) long and has up to 15-sessile bright red bracts with green margins and arranged in a zig-zag patten in a single plane. Each boat-shaped bract contains several tubular flowers with white tipped tepals and they appear during spring.

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


Note
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.