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Strelitzia reginae is often confused with:
Musa basjoo Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Clematis viticella Flower detail
Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia leaves
Iris Flower in pond pots (1.5 ft. of water) in spring in Moore County
Strelitzia reginae has some common insect problems:
Fern Scale Insect

Bird's Tongue Flower Strelitzia reginae

Previously known as:

  • Strelitzia regalis
Phonetic Spelling
stre-LITZ-ee-uh ree-JIN-ay-ee
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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 65 F at night. When temperatures rise above 70F. outside, place your plant in a sunny to a semi-shaded location with good air circulation. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Bird of Paradise is usually pest and disease free. Monitor for mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Root rot can occur from overwatering or poorly drained soils. Leaf spot may cause yellow or brown spots on the leaves. The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mandela's Gold'
    grayish-green leaves, gray and pink beak-like spathe, yellow and purple flowers
'Mandela's Gold'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#orange flowers#large leaves#rhizomes#large flowers#exotic looking#cutting garden#unusual flowers#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mandela's Gold'
    grayish-green leaves, gray and pink beak-like spathe, yellow and purple flowers
'Mandela's Gold'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#orange flowers#large leaves#rhizomes#large flowers#exotic looking#cutting garden#unusual flowers#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Strelitzia
    Species:
    reginae
    Family:
    Strelitziaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It has been used for medicinal purposes by the indigenous people of South Africa.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Cape Provinces to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    Distribution:
    Introduced: Bangladesh and Mexico
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a leathery capsule containing numerous small seeds, each with an orange aril.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Mild nausea, vomiting, drowsiness; caused mainly by fruit and seeds
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    GI irritants
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No