Description
Some rooms are built for something taller than a person: a double-height living room, or a stairwell with a wall of glass. A giant bird of paradise fills that height at 11 to 14 feet (3.4 to 4.3 m), its leaves rising on long stems toward the upper windows. Anyone coming down the stairs meets them at eye level, and people walking in from the street stop to take it in.
Strelitzia reginae is native to South Africa's sunny coast, and indoors it's happiest where the light is strong and steady. For a bird of paradise indoor plant this size, that means a sunlit atrium or a room with tall windows. Given time, a mature plant can open a bird of paradise flower, orange and blue and shaped like a bird's head.
Care
Does a bird of paradise plant like sun or shade?
Light is the heart of bird of paradise plant care. Give it the brightest spot you've got, ideally beside a large east, south or west-facing window. Every extra hour of sun helps it grow strongly and flower.
In high summer, a sheer curtain softens the strongest midday sun through the glass. That keeps the leaves looking their best.
Where is the best place to put a bird of paradise plant?
For a bird of paradise plant, indoor warmth matters almost as much as light. Choose a bright room with space for its leaves to spread, away from cold drafts. It's happiest above 50 to 54°F (10 to 12°C).
It enjoys humidity too. Regular misting, or a tray of damp pebbles under the pot, helps in dry, heated rooms.
How often should you water a bird of paradise plant?
A pot this size holds moisture deep down, where most of the roots live. Before watering your giant bird of paradise, push a long wooden stick well into the soil. If it comes out dry, it's time to water.
Pour slowly around the whole surface until water runs from the drainage holes, then empty the saucer so the roots never sit in water. From late fall, let the soil dry out further between waterings.
Does a bird of paradise plant do well in a pot?
A bird of paradise plant does very well in a pot. It tends to flower more freely when its roots feel a little snug, so there's no rush. Repot every couple of years in spring, once any flowers have finished.
How tall is a giant bird of paradise?
Our giant bird of paradise stands 11 to 14 feet (3.4 to 4.3 m) tall. Each plant grows in its own way, so the exact height depends on the one we pick for you. Strelitzia reginae is a slow grower.
What fertilizer does a bird of paradise plant need?
Feed your bird of paradise plant with a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer, while it's growing. Each spring, you can also swap the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil for fresh potting mix.
Should you trim older bird of paradise leaves?
As a bird of paradise plant grows, its oldest leaves near the base fade and make way for new ones. Snip each one off close to the base with clean pruners, and the whole plant keeps a fresh, tidy look.
Is it normal for bird of paradise leaves to split?
Yes, split leaves are part of the bird of paradise look. The broad leaves tear easily along their length, and outdoors, strong winds can shred them into strips. A sheltered spot indoors keeps most of each leaf whole for longer.
Pet-friendly?
Is a bird of paradise plant safe for cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists the bird of paradise plant, Strelitzia reginae, as toxic to cats and dogs. Eating it can cause mild nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. If you've got a nibbler at home, watch for fallen leaves and flowers.
Which parts of a bird of paradise plant are most harmful to pets?
According to the ASPCA, the fruit and seeds of a bird of paradise plant cause most of the trouble for pets. If your plant flowers, snip off faded blooms before seed pods can form, and you'll keep the risk low.
Factoids
How many times a year does a bird of paradise bloom?
A mature bird of paradise plant usually flowers in winter and spring, and each bird of paradise flower can last up to a month. Plants often need five to ten years before they bloom, so flowers are a lovely bonus.
In warm places like Florida, healthy mature plants growing outdoors can produce as many as three dozen flower spikes a year.
Why is it called Strelitzia reginae?
Strelitzia reginae is named after Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, who was born a princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Reginae means "of the queen." Plant hunter Francis Masson brought the plant from South Africa to Kew Gardens in 1773.
Where does the bird of paradise plant come from?
The bird of paradise plant is native to South Africa, from the Cape Provinces up to KwaZulu-Natal. It grows wild along riverbanks and in scrub clearings near the coast, where the air's warm and the sun is strong.
It's a close relative of the banana, which you can see in its long, paddle-shaped leaves.
Why does the bird of paradise flower look like a bird?
The bird of paradise flower is shaped for the birds that pollinate it. Sunbirds perch on its beak-like base to drink nectar. The petals then open and dust their feet with pollen, which they carry to the next flower.
What's the difference between a bird of paradise and a white bird of paradise?
The bird of paradise, Strelitzia reginae, has orange and blue flowers, and its leaves grow in a clump from the base. The white bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, has white and blue flowers on tall, woody stems.
In the wild, Strelitzia nicolai can reach 26 feet (8 m). That's why it often goes by the name bird of paradise tree.
Buy a giant bird of paradise
A plant this size deserves a proper look before it arrives. Book a free video shopping call and we'll walk you round the giants we have in, then bring yours to your door in NYC or NJ. We're here for every question after that.