Family: Heliconiaceae

Lobster claw is an herbaceous perennial with an upright habit, similar to banana. Native to the Caribbean, Heliconia caribaea, has been present in Hawaii since 1958. Lobster claw reaches heights of 15 feet with a 3 to 6-foot spread. Not messy with leaf litter, this plant is a tidy evergreen with waxy green leaves. They are arranged alternately with entire margins and can be 10 feet long from petiole to leaf tip. Arising from rhizomes is a thick pseudostem from which the erect inflorescence bloom. Enclosed in the colorful bracts are the flower parts. Lobster-claw is a robust grower that requires little maintenance once established. 

The plant should bloom in its second year. After dividing rhizomes, cut the pseudostem down for better transplanting success. Full sun is best, but some shade can be tolerated. The plant has mild to medium salt and drought tolerance. Many hybrids exist ranging in color from gold to red, including “black magic,” “Purpurea,” “Prince of Darkness,” and  “big red.”

Plant Uses:

• Cut flower
• Edible
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers