Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Heliconia angusta 'Red Christmas'
Description:
Heliconia angusta 'Red Christmas' is a compact, evergreen tropical plant prized for its festive red and white bracts that resemble holiday colors. This slow-growing heliconia is ideal for smaller gardens and shaded areas, making it perfect for creating a lush, tropical atmosphere. Its unique appearance and manageable size make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens and potted displays.
Flowers:
The inflorescence of 'Red Christmas' features upright red bracts with striking white edges, resembling holiday decorations. These bracts encase small, inconspicuous flowers and bloom primarily in winter, adding a burst of color during cooler months. The vibrant bracts last for weeks, providing long-lasting beauty.
Foliage:
The plant features elongated, paddle-shaped leaves with a glossy green surface and prominent veins. The foliage forms a dense, clumping habit, offering a lush backdrop to the colorful bracts.
Form and Size:
'Red Christmas' has a compact, upright growth habit, typically reaching a height of 1 to 1.5 meters with a spread of about 1 meter. Its manageable size makes it suitable for smaller gardens, patios, or as a potted feature.
Growing Conditions:
This heliconia thrives in partial shade to full shade and prefers rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. It requires consistent moisture but should not be overwatered. High humidity and warm temperatures are essential for optimal growth, making it best suited for tropical and subtropical climates.
Uses:
'Red Christmas' is perfect for use as a feature plant in shaded garden beds or as a container plant in patios and courtyards. Its unique bracts are also highly sought after for cut flower arrangements, adding a festive touch to indoor displays.
Maintenance:
Relatively low-maintenance, this heliconia benefits from regular watering and feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to maintain its neat appearance. Protect from frost and cold temperatures in cooler climates.
Notes:
Heliconia angusta 'Red Christmas' is celebrated for its festive, eye-catching bracts and compact growth. It is a must-have for gardeners looking to add a touch of holiday cheer and tropical flair to their landscapes.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with shade-loving tropical plants such as Calatheas, Philodendrons, and Ferns. It also complements flowering plants like Anthuriums and ground covers like Liriope, creating a layered, lush look.
Common Name: Red Christmas Heliconia
Botanical Name: Heliconia angusta 'Red Christmas'
Family: Heliconiaceae
Origin: Brazil
As we cannot guarantee stock all year around on Pots & Plants please hit us up via the chat button and we can get back to you with availability
Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
- For more information on Deliveries outside the Sunshine Coast please click here
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting