Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) Heliconia rostrata
Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) (Heliconia rostrata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Heliconiaceae family, native to Tropical South America (Peru, Bolivia, Brazil). It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 8 °C (46 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) in your garden →
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Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Heliconiaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 8 °C (46 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 77–129 weeks after planting, for 21–52 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical South America (Peru, Bolivia, Brazil) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hanging lobster claw (heliconia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (3 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (3 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (8 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (3 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (5 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (6 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (5 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (6 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (3 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (6 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (8 plants)
Questions about Hanging lobster claw (heliconia)
- How far apart should I plant Hanging lobster claw (heliconia)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Hanging lobster claw (heliconia)?
- It tolerates about 8 °C (46 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) flower?
- About 77–129 weeks after planting, for 21–52 weeks.
- Is Hanging lobster claw (heliconia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
- What grows well with Hanging lobster claw (heliconia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hanging lobster claw (heliconia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- The red and yellow-green bracts hang in a pendant chain 50 cm or more long; hummingbirds pollinate it in the wild.
- Needs humid, sheltered, rich soil. Typical garden-form values; local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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