This rhizomatous perennial has upright stems and forms a leafy clump. It has large dark green oblong leaves with maroon coloured stalks and the small tube-shaped flowers are enclosed in red-orange bracts and appear in a upright spike during summer.

Hardiness zones 11 to 12

Heliconia stricta is naturally found in South America growing in Venezuela and Bolivia in tropical forests in well-drained, organic rich moist slightly acid loams. It prefers a semi shaded wind protected humid position and is frost and drought tender. 

Red Heliconia is an attractive tropical perennial that is grown for its colourful flowers and lush foliage. It is planted along borders in tropical gardens or used as a understory specimen around water features. The flowers are used in floral arrangements and in cool regions it is commonly grown in a glasshouse as a specimen. It is fast growing and establishes from division in 2 to 3 years. ID 754

Heliconia (hel-ih-KOH-nee-uh) stricta (STRIK-ta)

Heliconiaceae (HEL-ee-Kon-ee-AY-see-ee)