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By NTBG Staff
While roses tend to take center stage every Valentine’s Day, the tropical landscape offers its own spectacular alternatives to the classic symbol of romance. Heliconias, known for their bold colors and sculptural forms, are as striking as they are evolutionarily intriguing. Most of us recognize the heliconias often featured in tropical floral arrangements, but these popular cut flowers represent only a small glimpse into the true breadth of this genus.
To keep the spirit of the season going, we’re highlighting five heliconias from our collection in Lāwaʻi Gardens—pairing each photo with an exquisite botanical illustration by NTBG’s Florilegium Society.
Want to see more stunning botanical illustrations? Come see our 2026 Florilegium Art Show at the Lāwaʻi Gardens Visitor Center, open from March 13 through May 2.
Art by Joan Luzney
While the vast majority of heliconias hail from Central and South America, Heliconia solomonensis belongs to a small, distinct group from the South Pacific. Native to the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago, this species is identified by its towering stature and massive, banana-like leaves. Unlike its brightly colored relatives, it features long, heavy, pendant chains of waxy, apple-green bracts. This species is uniquely adapted for pollination by bats, whereas many heliconias from the Americas are adapted for pollination by hummingbirds.
Art by Ellen Blonder
Heliconia vaginalis is a striking erect species native to the rainforests of Central and South America. It is easily recognized by its zig-zagging stalk and slender, pointed bracts that typically come in vibrant shades of red and yellow. Unlike the large Heliconia solomonensis highlighted above, this species has a more delicate, narrow profile. It is a favorite of long-billed hummingbirds, who have co-evolved to reach the deep nectar hidden within its slender flowers.
Art by Akiko Enokido
Native to the region spanning from Colombia to Panama, this species features a pendant inflorescence that can reach several feet in length. This downward-reaching habit is a specific evolutionary strategy to attract high-soaring hummingbirds.
Art by Harriet O’Donnell
Native to Southern Mexico and Central America, Heliconia collinsiana is distinguished by its long, flexible stems and widely spaced bracts. Unlike other pendant species that can appear dense or heavy, this plant has a more open, minimalist silhouette that results in a graceful weeping habit. Its smooth, bright red bracts protect its yellow flowers—a color combination that evolved to stand out to pollinators in the shaded forest understory.
Art by Esther Carpi
While many heliconias are naturally occurring species, ‘Guyana’ is a hybrid of Heliconia psittacorum and Heliconia spathocircinata. This plant is a favorite among gardeners for its reliability and prolific blooming.
