Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
📖 About this plant
One of the most iconic tropical flowers in the world, instantly recognizable by its crane-like inflorescence with brilliant orange and blue petals emerging from a canoe-shaped green bract. The large, banana-like leaves create a bold architectural statement. A long-lived plant that, when given ample sun and warmth, rewards with spectacular blooms throughout winter and spring.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to bright indirect (6-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate to high (50-70%)
18-30°C
Rich, well-draining potting soil with peat, perlite, and compost; tolerates slightly acidic to neutral pH
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2 weeks during spring and summer; reduce in fall and winter
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- South Africa — eastern Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal coastal regions
- 📏 Max height
- 120-180 cm (indoor), up to 300 cm (outdoor in ideal conditions)
- 📐 Spread
- 90-150 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Winter - Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Orange, Blue
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Mildly toxic to cats and dogs — can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; generally considered low risk
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of mature clumps (preferred, faster to bloom), or seed sowing (takes 4-7 years to flower)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs — can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; generally considered low risk
Common issues
- Root rot from overwatering, Scale insects on leaves, Split leaves from wind
💡 Care tips
- Needs 4-5 years of growth before first flowers appear,Provide plenty of room as it can grow 6 feet tall indoors,Splits in leaves are natural and not a sign of poor health,Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks in growing season
