Requirements are heat, humidity, heavy feeding, and filtered sun -- at least that's how heliconias thrived for me in Florida. They were inactive during the cooler months. I've not tried them up here.

They do fine in dappled light or morning sun here. They are not hardy here like in Florida. I have over-wintered in the garage with about 50% success. I no longer grow them in Marietta as they were too much trouble.

I am near the coast (Savannah), and they do not thrive in my area. They can hobble through the winter in the garage, but they just don't recover well in the spring.