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On Sep 30, 2011, eliasastro from Athens Greece (Zone 10a) wrote:
A stunning tropical with fantastic inflorescence, but not suitable for outdoor growing even in the mildest parts of my country, because of low average winter temperatures (10C/50F in Athens to 13C/55C in the islands).
Rhizomes can survive in the winter, but dying back simply means no flowering, so a home greenhouse for overwintering is necessary for blooming. The dwarf - mini variety is more manageable for overwintering indoors and may be tried in a South facing window, with some direct sun. The standard variety is far too large for indoor growing.
Only Heliconia schiedeana and the hybrids of H. psittacorum can flower outdoors here (the same happens in California).
My potted lobster claw died back during the winter months in Tampa due to lack of care but actually rooted in the ground around the pot and came back the following Spring. I then dug it up and re-potted them into 2 pots and they are doing beautifully in full sun to partial shade depending on the time of day.
On May 15, 2006, SteveStrelitzia from Cape Coral, FL wrote:
Despite tattered leaves from Hurricane Wilma and a Spring long drought, I resisted cutting the pitiful looking canes to the ground.
My Heliconia rostrata has rewarded me with multiple blooms on last years canes.
Things that worked for me.
1) Plant in a wind protected eastern exposure for morning sun only.
2) Fertilize frequently with a slow realease granular fertilizer.
3) Monthly fertilize with a balanced water soluable fertilizer.
4) Keep evenly moist with frequent waterings.
On Jun 1, 2004, xyris from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:
I am pleased to announce that my smaller Heliconia rostrata plants have started to flower as of the last week of May. I have tried to protect these from the coldest temps of the winter, and it seems to have worked. Note that this area had NO frost or freezing temperatures in the winter of 2003-2004, a bit unusual for us. I also have a huge clump about 8 feet in diameter and 7 feet tall that I think is this species, but it has not flowered yet. I hope for flowers this summer, if so, I will post pictures.
On Dec 11, 2002, PanamonCreel from Celaya Mexico (Zone 10a) wrote:
Heliconia Psittacorum is the smaller species of the Genus and usually stays around 2 feet tall. Mine was actually sold to me as a Heliconia rostrata (Hanging Lobster Claw) which can get 3 - 9 feet tall.
I've got my H. Psittacorum sitting on an South window in full sun which it seems to enjoy. Rhizomes, side shoots on plant grow quickly and can push the pot to it's limit in a short time period.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, (2 reports) Pirkkala, Boca Del Mar, Florida Cape Coral, Florida Fairview Shores, Florida Haverhill, Florida Hollywood, Florida Jan Phyl Village, Florida Lake Worth, Florida Loxahatchee, Florida Melrose Park, Florida Miami, Florida (2 reports) Pembroke Pines, Florida Sebring, Florida Utopia, Florida Venice, Florida Wesley Chapel, Florida Yulee, Florida Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii Honomu, Hawaii Haslett, Michigan Saint Martin, Mississippi Vieques, Puerto Rico Lafayette, Tennessee Galveston, Texas Mcallen, Texas
2 vendors have this plant for sale.
