Bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Strelitziaceae family, native to Coastal Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It grows 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Bird of paradise in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bird of paradise at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Strelitziaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Bird of paradise toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, fruit
Seeds and fruit contain tannins or other irritants that can cause nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bird of paradise
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Bird of paradise in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (7 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (4 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (3 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (15 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (5 plants)
Questions about Bird of paradise
- How far apart should I plant Bird of paradise?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Bird of paradise need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bird of paradise need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bird of paradise?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Bird of paradise flower?
- From about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bird of paradise poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds and fruit contain tannins or other irritants that can cause nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
- What grows well with Bird of paradise?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bird of paradise. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Slow to flower from seed (4 to 6 years); nursery divisions flower sooner. Leaves split in wind but the plant is otherwise coastal-tolerant.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Traveller's tree Ravenala madagascariensis
- Giant white bird of paradise Strelitzia nicolai
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea