Guarantees
FAQs
Will they grow in my climate?
Heliconias and gingers generally enjoy warm weather and do not tolerate dry soils. Most of coastal QLD will have no problem growing heliconia and gingers. In NSW, from the QLD border down to Sydney, there are many varieties that can thrive but they need to be protected from cold wind and harsh sun so they should be placed in a sheltered space with morning or afternoon sun and part shade. Ensure you select a cold hardy variety if you live outside of QLD.
Keep in mind that you will still need to create the appropriate microclimate for cold hardy varieties.
What should i do when my plants arrive?
Please unpack your package straight away. Water only as necessary in winter as the rhizomes do not like to be wet and cold. Your rhizomes will have to be potted into a larger pot if you are not ready to plant them out in the garden. (Please don't plant them outside during winter outside of the tropics!) When Spring rolls around you can start to fertilise them again as they grow quickly in the warm weather.
How do I plant rhizomes?
Rhizomes need to be planted just below the surface with any growth point poking out of the soil. Rhizomes planted too deep often submit to rot. Give them a good watering and then let the soil almost dry out before watering again. They enjoy being moist but not too wet and they'll tolerate drying out more than being soaked. Keep dry in winter, especially in cooler climates or else they will rot.
Please take into consideration the light requirements of each plant, and its maximum height before planting out. Heliconias will generally grow taller in the shade than they do in full sun.
After Care Tips...
Be sure to mulch your plants well to protect the soil from drying out and to increase organic matter in the soil.
The best time to fertilise is during their active growing season, which typically coincides with the warmer months of the year. In general, it is recommended to fertilise heliconias every 4 to 6 weeks during their growing period to provide them with the necessary nutrients for robust growth and vibrant blooms.
As the cooler months approach and the heliconias enter their dormant phase, typically in winter, reduce or stop fertilising. During this period, the plants require less nutrients as their growth slows down.