Balisier, an exotic flower to rediscover

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Magnificent flowers in a great range of colours rise above thick, glossy leaves from early summer to early autumn, on clumps 1½ to 4 feet tall. Balisier (Heliconia bihai) is a rhizome perennial grown for the exotic appeal it lends to flower beds; give it full sun and rich, draining soil, and it blooms year after year.

Planting and protecting your balisier in winter are practices that will enable you to witness its blooming year after year.

Balisier is really a flower to discover!

Planting balisier

Planting balisier in the ground

It is a good idea to plant your Heliconia bihai during April or May depending on the climate, planting the rhizomes quite deep: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm).
Canna takes up space: a distance of around 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm) is needed between plants.

Sowing balisier

If you’re planning to propagate your own rhizomes, place them in seedling and cutting soil mix in February or March and let it sit in a warm spot. You’ll be able to transfer them to the ground in May.

Crown division in spring is another way to propagate your balisier.

Caring for balisier and winter keeping

Remove wilted flowers regularly.

Water regularly in case of heat, especially the mini-balisier that are often grown potted.

Balisier in fall and winter

In fall, cut your plants back down to 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the base once the foliage has died off entirely, pull them out and store them in a cool, ventilated room during the entire winter.

In spring, you can plant them out again.

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Learn more about balisier

Balisier sold in stores usually are hybrids that come from several species. Its root is a slow-spreading rhizome.

It bears magnificent flowers and the great variety of colors will give your flower beds exotic appeal.