Heliconia, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida

Bold, waxy bracts and fast growth make heliconia a strong tropical pick for Southwest Florida, as long as it gets steady moisture and shelter from wind. It does best in part shade to full sun, and the long-lasting flowers draw hummingbirds. We deliver and plant Heliconia Lady in 3 gallon and Heliconia Choconiana in 7 gallon.

Light:: Part shade to full sun; best bloom with several hours of sun
Water:: High; keep the soil consistently moist
Salt:: Low; keep out of salt spray

Text Me a Planted Price Call (239) 799-5594

Heliconia sizes we deliver and plant

Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.

Variety or form	Sizes	Good to know
Heliconia Lady	3 Gallon	A 3 gallon heliconia, a manageable size for filling a bed or a large container with tropical color.
Heliconia Choconiana	7 Gallon	Offered in 7 gallon, a bigger plant that makes more impact in a large tropical bed.

Heliconia in SW Florida, at a glance

Mature size here: 3 to 15 ft tall depending on the type; clumps widen each year
Light: Part shade to full sun; best bloom with several hours of sun
Water: High; keep the soil consistently moist
Salt tolerance: Low; keep out of salt spray
Cold tolerance: Leaves burn near 32°F and the clump dies back; roots usually regrow after a brief freeze, so cover inland plants on frost nights
Growth rate: Fast
Spacing: 3 to 5 ft apart for small types, 6 to 8 ft for tall types
Florida native: No, native to the tropical Americas
Botanical name: Heliconia spp.

Where Heliconia works in a SW Florida yard

Heliconia brings banana-like leaves and bold, waxy bracts to part-shade beds, pool borders and patio corners. Put it where wind is blocked, such as against a fence, wall or larger shrubs, because the big leaves shred in gusts.

Use the bigger plants at the back of a bed and the smaller ones in front, and give each clump room to widen every year. Ornamental ginger, orange bird of paradise and bromeliads share the same tropical look and water needs.

Tropical color accent
Hummingbird garden plant
Pool and patio borders
Cut flower plantings

How our crew plants it

Heliconias go in at the same depth as the pot, in a hole twice as wide, with the top of the root ball level with the soil. Our crew backfills and waters it in, then tidies the site. Lean sandy beds benefit from a little compost worked into the planting hole.

Mulch 3 inches deep, off the stems. Space small types 3 to 5 ft apart and tall types 6 to 8 ft. These thirsty plants appreciate the extra watering Lee and Collier allow for new plantings.

Care after planting

Keep the soil consistently moist with mulch and regular watering on your assigned days, because dry spells scorch leaf edges and cut blooms.
Heavy feeders like heliconia want a slow-release landscape fertilizer in spring and again in early fall; the Lee County, Naples and Marco Island ban on nitrogen and phosphorus covers June 1 to September 30.
Cut flowered stems to the ground after bloom so new shoots take over, and bring the cut stems indoors.
Cover inland clumps on frost nights, and wait for new growth before cutting back cold-burned leaves.
Divide crowded clumps in spring and replant the pieces.

What to watch for

Wind shreds the big leaves much like a banana's, so plant against a fence or wall.
Soggy, poorly drained soil rots the rhizomes even though the plant likes moisture, so choose a spot that drains.

Heliconia questions we hear

Do heliconias grow well in Southwest Florida?+

Yes, as long as they get steady moisture and shelter from wind. They love our heat and humidity, grow fast in the rainy season and bloom for months. The limits are cold, salt spray and dry sandy soil that is not mulched or watered.

How much sun does heliconia need?+

Part shade to full sun. Several hours of direct sun bring the most blooms, while deep shade gives you leaves and few flowers. In full afternoon sun, keep the soil moist, because the leaves scorch and brown when the plant dries out.

Will heliconia survive a cold snap in Florida?+

Leaves burn near 32°F and the top growth dies back, but the roots usually survive a brief freeze and resprout in spring. Coastal Lee and Collier rarely get that cold. Inland, cover clumps on frost nights and mulch the base heavily.

Do heliconias attract hummingbirds?+

Yes. The flowers produce nectar that hummingbirds visit. Plant them where you can watch from a patio or window, in a spot sheltered from wind so the bracts stay intact.

How far apart should I plant heliconias?+

Plan on 3 to 5 ft apart for the smaller types and 6 to 8 ft for the tall ones. Heliconias spread by underground rhizomes and widen each year, so leave room for the clump and divide it in spring when it gets crowded.

How much does it cost to have heliconia planted?+

We text a planted price once we know the type, the pot size and how many plants you want. Send the bed size and the count, and you will usually hear back within the hour during the day.

Updated October 2026