The bird of paradise (scientific name: Strelitzia reginae) is the most prestigious houseplant there is. With its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fanning outward, this tall, upright plant brings a luxurious, tropical vibe to any room. The plant is resilient and can survive in a variety of light levels, from full sun to shade, although it does best in bright light.
While taxonomists have placed it in the Strelitziaceae family, it is very closely linked to bananas (Musaceae). It is unusual but possible for a bird of paradise to bloom inside without a sunny, south-facing window. The birds of paradise plant gets its name from the avian appearance of its leaves, which are split in half for aerodynamic reasons.
Birds of paradise plant: Facts
| Botanical name | Strelitzia reginae |
| Family | Strelitziaceae |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Clade | Tracheophytes |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Genus | Strelitzia |
| Species | S. reginae |
| Bloom time | September through May |
| Sun exposure | Very bright light, including direct sunlight |
| Ideal temperature | 65°F-85°F range (18°C-30°C) |
| Soil type | Well-drained organic soil |
| Ideal location for the placement | You can grow these tropical beauties indoors as houseplants |
| Water requirement | Water every 1-2 weeks |
| Fertilisation | About once a month |
Source: Pinterest
Birds of paradise plant: Physical description
- The rhizomes (underground stems) of the plant allow it to reach a height of 1–1.5 m. (about 3 to 5 feet).
- Its petiole-bearing leaves are rigid, upright, leathery, concave, and oblong.
- The leaves are bluish-green, and there may be a crimson midrib running through them.
- There are two pointed petals and five stamens on the orange and blue bloom.
- There is one large flower bract that is green in the middle and red on the edges, like a boat.
- The seeds within the fruits’ capsules are abundant.
Source: Pinterest
Birds of paradise plant: Types
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Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
This particular bird of paradise has lengthy, leathery leaves that call to mind the leaves of its close relative, the banana tree. The flower, which has orange sepals and blue petals, sits on a rigid stalk and is surrounded by stiff clusters of leaves that grow from the ground.
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White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
White bird of paradise plants (Strelitzia Nicolai) are quite similar to those of the common bird of paradise plant, but this species is much bigger than the others in the Strelitzia genus.
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Red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a fast-growing, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that is indigenous to dry places and variously known as the red bird of paradise, pride of Barbados, and peacock flower. It has persistent flowering cycles with bright orange-red blossoms.
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Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana)
The Mexican bird of paradise tree is an evergreen with large, ovate leaves and yellow blooms. It is evergreen to temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a little more cold-hardy option than C. pulcherrima.
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Yellow bird of paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)
Caesalpinia gilliesii, called the yellow bird of paradise, is a tropical evergreen with azalea-like blooms in July and August.
Birds of paradise plant: How to grow?
Keep your bird of paradise plant healthy by providing it with plenty of water and humidity. The soil must be kept moist but not soggy. Regular misting will help increase humidity in addition to attentive watering. The bird of paradise’s natural habitat in South Africa is quite sunny and warm.
Birds of paradise should be planted in full sun, but in subtropical places, they can also do well with some shade.
- Depending on how much light they get, the plants will have different traits.
- Plants that grow in full sun are smaller and have shorter flower stems, while plants that grow in partial shade are taller and may have slightly bigger flowers.
- Since the plants make more flowers around the edges, you should put them at least six feet apart to give the flowers enough room to grow.
- To move the plant into the garden, dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the root ball and as deep as the root ball. Water the plant well before carefully taking it out of the pot.
- Be careful not to touch the roots because the roots of young plants are easily hurt.
- Put the plant in the hole and make sure the top of the root ball is even with the top of the soil. Fill in the well with dirt and water.
- If you plant a bird of paradise too deeply, it might take longer for it to bloom.
- You can make a basin around the plant that looks like a saucer. This will hold water until it gets to the roots.
- They do best in organically rich, sandy, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. The plants can survive temperatures as low as 24°F for a short time, but freezing temperatures will hurt the flowers and buds that are growing.
- Wood chips, bark, pine needles, leaves, and other organic mulches can be used. Crushed stone or gravel can also be used in places where lighter mulches might blow away.
- The best fertilisers are organic ones like well-rotted manure, worm castings, or blood meal, a controlled-release balanced product like Osmocote, which you can get on Amazon, or granular landscape fertilisers.
Birds of paradise plant: Maintenance
- The care and maintenance requirements of a bird of paradise plant are low.
- Only in the morning, after first checking the soil moisture, can watering begin.
- After repotting the plant with new soil and fertiliser, it should rest in indirect sunlight for a few days.
- Cut away the diseased and decaying areas to make room for fresh development.
- Neem or citrus oil may be used to treat any bug or pest issue.
Common issues
Besides spider mites, the bird of paradise is a pest-free and low-maintenance plant. Spray the plant once a week with a natural insecticide like neem oil and wash it down once a week to keep pests at bay. Common issues include leaf splits, lower leaf yellowing, soggy soil, and being underwater.
Birds of paradise plant: Points to note
- Birds of Paradise may thrive in both strong sunlight and indirect illumination. It needs full sun to thrive, however.
- When the top half of the soil is dry, that’s when you should water your bird of paradise. Water until it drains through the bottom drain hole, then dump the water that is collected in the saucer.
- The bird of paradise thrives in high levels of humidity. If the leave margins are dry, try placing a pebble tray or humidifier nearby.
- The ideal indoor climate for the bird of paradise is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fertilise once a month using a general-purpose fertiliser throughout the spring and summer. Since plant development slows naturally during the winter, fertiliser is unnecessary.
Birds of paradise plant: Significance
- The bird-of-paradise palm is mostly used for its decorative value. The unusual blossoms go well with the plant’s wide, rounded leaves.
- Due to their size, the leaves can filter out pollutants and distribute healthy, clean air to the surrounding area.
Birds of paradise plant: Toxicity
Ingestion of bird of paradise may cause serious illness or death.
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FAQs
Where should I grow birds of paradise plants?
If you want your bird of paradise to thrive and bloom, you should plant it in a position that gets full light all day long. Only in the warmest places can plants benefit from partial shade, which shields them from the sun and keeps them from drying up.
Can you eat the bird of paradise?
Eating the leaves of a bird of paradise plant may cause stomach upset in people, cats, and dogs. If you have young children or pets, it's best to keep your houseplants where they can't get to them.
Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com