Yellow and violet flowers shaped like arrow tips rise above dense evergreen leafage: the bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is grown for that unmistakable bloom. Native to South Africa, it is sensitive to frost, so give it a very sunny spot in the ground only where winters are mild, a pot elsewhere, and it asks for little care once settled.
| Name | Strelitzia reginae |
|---|---|
| Family | Strelitziaceae |
| Type | perennial |
| Height | 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m) |
| Exposure | full sun, part sun |
| Soil | ordinary |
| Foliage | evergreen |
| Flowering | late spring to early autumn |
This flower only rarely blooms in our homes, but when it does, you’ll immediately understand where it got its “Bird of Paradise” name!
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia) is sensitive to frost and can only be planted directly in the ground in regions with mild enough winters.
It normally lives in the warmer regions of the globe that offer rather tropical growing conditions and must be grown in pots and brought indoors in winter if this isn’t the case.
Bird of paradise can be grown either directly in the ground or in a container, and the choice depends entirely on how cold your winters are. The table below sums up what changes from one method to the other.
| Aspect | Planted in the ground | Grown in a pot |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Only in regions with mild enough winters | Anywhere, since the plant comes indoors for winter |
| Position | A very sunny spot | Partly shaded, sheltered from drafts and wind |
| Soil | Mix of soil mix and garden soil, moist, cool but well drained | Good flower plant soil mix |
| Winter | Simply protect the plant if temperatures drop | Bring inside to a luminous room, never below 50°F (10°C) |
| Watering | Often in summer, in the evening, avoiding the leaves | Often in summer, clearly reduced in winter |
Whichever you choose, the plant asks for little care once it is well settled.
If the bird of paradise is well planted and its location suitable, it will only require little care.
No pruning is actually necessary except if you wish to balance the shrub out.
If it was planted in the ground outdoors, it means your climate will allow for it, and so there isn’t much to do except to protect the plant if ever temperatures drop.
In pots and in areas where winters are quite cold, proceed with bringing the plant inside to a spot where the temperatures stay cool.
In summer, when the weather is hot, it is important to water bird of paradise often, especially when grown in pots.
This very beautiful shrub offers a unique yellow and violet blooming that looks like an elegant bunch of arrow tips.
Native to South Africa, it naturally prefers rather warm climate if growing in the ground, otherwise you can plant it in a container and bring it in in winter.
Its natural environment is around bodies of water, which is why it requires a certain amount of soil moisture to thrive.
Watering must be regular but amounts must stay moderate during the entire blooming season.
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To increase blooming, you can add organic fertilizer in spring and renew the application once in summer.
