Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginae
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- stre-LITZ-ee-uh ree-JIN-ay-ee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Bird of Paradise Flower is a clumping tropical plant native to South Africa. Its large gray-green leaves arise from underground rhizomes. It is best known for its large unusual inflorescence that resembles a bird's head. It blooms intermittently throughout the year.
Grow indoors in a well-lit, sunny spot in fertile loamy well-drained soil. Water plants freely and fertilize regularly in spring and summer but keep drier in winter. Bird of paradise needs moderate temperatures 55 to 65F at night. When temperatures rise above 70F. outside, place your plant in a sunny to a semi-shaded location with good air circulation.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Strelitzia
- Species:
- reginae
- Family:
- Strelitziaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a leathery capsule containing numerous small seeds, each with an orange aril.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers emerge one at a time from the spathe and consist of 3 brilliant orange sepals and 3 bright blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the birds sit to have a drink of nectar, the petals open to cover their feet with pollen.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Clumps of 3.5-4 feet long gray-green leaves that look like banana leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
