Bird of Paradise

How to care for Bird of Paradise

Light

Strelitzia reginae requires the brightest possible position indoors. A south or west-facing windowsill that receives several hours of direct sun each day is ideal. Without adequate light the plant will produce healthy foliage but is very unlikely to flower. In low-light rooms it deteriorates slowly over time, so supplemental grow lighting is worth considering if natural light is limited.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top third of the compost has dried out, allowing excess water to drain freely from the pot. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when growth slows, but never allow the rootball to dry out completely for prolonged periods as this will cause leaf curl and browning. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of decline and can lead to root rot, so always err on the side of underwatering rather than keeping the compost consistently wet.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining, loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 2 or 3, combined with roughly 25 per cent perlite or coarse grit to improve drainage and aeration. Strelitzia develops a fleshy, water-storing root system that is highly susceptible to rot in poorly drained media. Avoid peat-heavy or water-retentive mixes.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at half to full label strength once a month throughout the active growing season from March to September. A formula with a slightly higher potassium content can be beneficial once flower spikes begin to develop. Do not feed in autumn or winter, as surplus nutrients in the compost during dormancy can cause salt build-up and root damage.

Humidity and temperature

Strelitzia reginae tolerates the relatively low humidity found in most heated homes, though it appreciates humidity above 40 per cent if possible. Avoid positioning the plant near radiators or heat vents, which create excessively dry conditions and can cause leaf edge browning. It prefers temperatures of 18 to 24 C in summer and can tolerate a cool winter rest period down to around 10 C, which may actually help trigger flowering.

Repotting

Repot every two to three years in spring, moving up only one pot size at a time. Strelitzia flowers most reliably when slightly pot-bound, so there is no benefit in choosing a pot much larger than the current rootball. Terracotta pots are preferable as they allow moisture to evaporate through the walls, reducing the risk of waterlogging. Take care when repotting as the thick roots are brittle and break easily.

Pruning

Remove dead, damaged or yellowing leaves at the base with a clean, sharp blade. Once a flower spike has fully finished, cut it down to its base. Avoid removing healthy green leaves unnecessarily, as the plant is slow to produce new growth and each leaf contributes significantly to photosynthesis. Wipe large leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and improve light absorption.

Is Bird of Paradise toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Division

In spring, carefully remove the plant from its pot and use a clean, sharp knife to separate rooted offsets or suckers from the main clump, ensuring each division has several roots attached. Pot each division individually into appropriately sized pots and keep warm and lightly shaded for several weeks until established.

Seed

Sow fresh seed after soaking it in warm water for 24 to 48 hours to soften the hard coat. Sow at a depth of 1 cm in a gritty seed compost, maintain a temperature of 21 to 25 C, and expect germination in one to six months. Plants grown from seed typically take five to ten years to flower.

Where Bird of Paradise comes from

Native to Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal. Now naturalised or cultivated in 8 other regions worldwide.

Story and origins

The genus name Strelitzia was given by Sir Joseph Banks in 1788 in honour of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the German-born wife of King George III of Great Britain, who was an enthusiastic patron of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. The species epithet reginae is the Latin genitive form of the word for queen, meaning 'of the queen', reinforcing the royal dedication. The common name 'Bird of Paradise' refers to the striking resemblance the flower bears to the head and plumage of a tropical bird, an impression created by the vivid orange sepals and bright blue petals emerging from a boat-shaped spathe.

Strelitzia reginae was first collected by Francis Masson, a Scottish botanist who was sent to the Cape of Good Hope by Kew Gardens in 1772. The specimen he collected was grown at Kew and formally described and illustrated in 1788, quickly becoming a prized ornamental in European glasshouses. The plant became deeply associated with South African national identity and features prominently in the country's horticultural heritage, with the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town maintaining notable collections. In the twentieth century, the cut flower industry, particularly in the Netherlands and parts of the United States, adopted Strelitzia reginae as a commercially important crop due to its extraordinarily long vase life, which can exceed two to three weeks with proper conditioning.

Varieties to know

Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold'

A notable yellow-flowered cultivar with golden-yellow petals in place of the typical orange, named in honour of Nelson Mandela.

Strelitzia reginae 'Kirstenbosch Gold'

Another yellow-flowered selection, developed at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town.

Strelitzia reginae 'Dwarf'

A compact cultivar growing to roughly half the height of the species, better suited to smaller indoor spaces while retaining the characteristic flowers.

Fun facts

• The distinctive orange and blue flowers are pollinated in the wild by sunbirds, which perch on the blue petal structure and inadvertently pick up pollen on their feet.
• Each spathe of Strelitzia reginae can produce up to five individual flowers in succession, extending the blooming period of a single stem over several weeks.
• The plant was first described scientifically in 1788 and was named in honour of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III.
• Strelitzia reginae is the official flower of Los Angeles, California, where it is commonly grown as a garden perennial.
• The thick, fleshy roots of Strelitzia act as water-storage organs, allowing the plant to survive extended dry periods in its native South African habitat.

Bird of Paradise FAQ