Strelitzia Species, Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower
Strelitzia reginae
Family: | Strelitziaceae |
Genus: | Strelitzia (stre-LITZ-ee-uh) (Info) |
Species: | reginae (ree-JIN-ay-ee) (Info) |

Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Orange
Dark Blue
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Anaheim, California
Ashland, California
Canoga Park, California
Chowchilla, California
Clovis, California
Delano, California
Desert Hot Springs, California(2 reports)
El Cerrito, California
Elk Grove, California
Folsom, California
Fresno, California(2 reports)
Garden Grove, California
Hemet, California
Lakewood, California
Livingston, California
Los Angeles, California
Merced, California
Modesto, California
Oak View, California
Rancho Mirage, California
Reseda, California
San Diego, California(2 reports)
San Jose, California
Santa Barbara, California(3 reports)
Spring Valley, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Torrance, California(3 reports)
Upland, California
Vincent, California
Walnut Creek, California
Whittier, California
Woodcrest, California
Bartow, Florida
Beverly Hills, Florida
Big Pine Key, Florida
Bokeelia, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Delray Beach, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Hernando, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Holmes Beach, Florida
Inverness, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)
Keystone Heights, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida(2 reports)
Lakeland, Florida
Lecanto, Florida
Longwood, Florida
Maitland, Florida
Marathon, Florida
Naples, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida(2 reports)
Okeechobee, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Orlando, Florida(2 reports)
Palm Coast, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Orange, Florida
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Saint Cloud, Florida
Sanford, Florida
Spring Hill, Florida
Tampa, Florida(2 reports)
West Palm Beach, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Dalton, Georgia
Honomu, Hawaii
Wahiawa, Hawaii
Villers-lès-Nancy, Lorraine
Baton Rouge, Louisiana(2 reports)
Bordelonville, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana(3 reports)
Slidell, Louisiana
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Vacherie, Louisiana
Leakesville, Mississippi
Las Vegas, Nevada(2 reports)
Alden, New York
Cincinnati, Ohio
Brookings, Oregon
Harbor, Oregon
Bluffton, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
New Ellenton, South Carolina
North Augusta, South Carolina
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Westmoreland, Tennessee
Alvin, Texas
Austin, Texas(3 reports)
Baytown, Texas
Brazoria, Texas
Broaddus, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Bryan, Texas
Cibolo, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas(3 reports)
Dallas, Texas
Decatur, Texas
Georgetown, Texas
Houston, Texas(3 reports)
Katy, Texas
La Porte, Texas
La Vernia, Texas
Mcallen, Texas
Missouri City, Texas
Port Arthur, Texas
Portland, Texas
Robstown, Texas
San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)
Santa Fe, Texas(2 reports)
Spring, Texas
Onalaska, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jan 5, 2021, UtahTropics12 from Orem, UT (Zone 7a) wrote: The furthest north i’ve seen this plant grown outside 100% successfully in the U.S. is Brookings/ Harbor, Oregon. The zone in the area is 9b/10a but is very cool, wet and temperate. The summer is cool and sunny and temps are usually in the high 60’s to low 70’s, and the Winter is very wet, foggy and mild with lows in the 40’s. I’ve seen several specimens planted out all over town and have even seen some of them bloom year after year. It’s hard to believe how good these beautiful exotic plants from South Africa do in this temperate, maritime southern pacific northwest climate. Even with getting 75”- 80” of rain every year and pretty cool temps year round Strelizia reginae does surprisingly well. I would definitely recommend for EXTREME Southern Oregon and northern California. |
Positive | On Feb 9, 2017, dale3242 from Palm Coast, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: We are located along the coast in Northern Flagler County, FL. We planted our Bird of Paradise last year. It is blooming for the second time. It is quite beautiful and has proven to be trouble free so far. Our zone is 9B, because of our proximity to the ocean. |
Positive | On Sep 10, 2014, keenamateur from Porvoo, I must be really lucky if your other comments are to be believed. Whilst in Madeira last Christmas I bought 2 packs of seeds of bird of paradise plants one usual pink and one blue. these were off the market and in small plastic bags so not commercial. |
Positive | On Sep 22, 2013, normasloan from Buckhead Ridge, FL wrote: Bought Bird of Paradise plant at wholesale nursery in Martin County, FL. Planted in Okeechobee, Fl about a month ago. Day three of blossom. Mulched and fertilized and watered heavily daily for first week. Then rained heavily for several days afterwards. Watered with shower on hose head setting by wedging between stalks for about 1/2 hour. My yard man suggested this, plus took us to nursery to pick out plants. |
Positive | On Aug 14, 2011, juku from York Point, NS (Zone 5a) wrote: I bought a huge plant (25 gal pot) with numerous blooms from a nursery owner last summer. At Christmas I splitted it into 4 smaller plants using a hand saw. I gave 3 away to friends as present. Currently, mine is blooming and so are everyone else's. Great plant! |
Positive | On May 20, 2011, morgrok from Milwaukee, WI wrote: morgrok here or should I say morgram here again. My bird-of-Paradise update....I said I was going to get my now 23 year-old strelitzia to bloom again. Well, it's fixin' to do it. I have a stem! Earlier I attributed my difficulties to irregular watering. Actually that has not been the problem. I guess I always knew what the problem was, not enough nutrient intake. I always passed on feeding the thing but after eight years without flowering I had to face facts. My strelitzia has come around thanks to liquid plant food. Always keep in mind that the strelitzia is a gross feeder or a nutrient hog if you like. I once again look forward to seeing that spectacular flower later as we enter the summer. After an 8 year pause some family members were hesitant to believe my strelitzia is once again go... read more |
Positive | On Dec 27, 2010, geniebug from Torrance, CA wrote: I live in Southern California. My Bird of Paradise is on the southwest corner of the house in a dry area. For years it bloomed infrequently then I started watering it once a week with everything else and it has gone crazy with the blooms now. |
Neutral | On May 11, 2010, Jackie5_0 from Summerville, SC wrote: I bought a small BOP (looekd about 2 years going by pics on here) last summer from a home improvment store, they advised me I could keep it outside but cover it on cold nights. Other sites had said it was hardy in 8b, just to mulch the base. We had a VERY harsh winter, 6' of snow, lots of frosty nights and the coldest since Ive been here. I covered it up most frosts, but it didnt seem to make it. Once it warmed up I cut it back and left it in the ground incase any parts survived. |
Positive | On Nov 20, 2009, eGreenGardens from Bundaberg, I have two Strelitzia reginae plants which are about 8 years old and flower regularly. I would like to grow more using their seeds and have been checking them regularly for seed pods ... but none to be found. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, does anyone have a picture of where the seed pod in relation to the flower or can you describe where I should be finding it. |
Positive | On Nov 13, 2009, morgram from Milwaukee, WI wrote: My strelitzia is 21 years old but has only bloomed twice probably do to irregular watering on my part but I am hopeful I can get it to bloom again. Last time I transplanted it was back in 1997 into a big white container. It is now quite rootbound. The whole thing now weighs a ton and it would take a chainsaw to remove it from it's container. I did not plant it in 3 parts potting soil, peat and sand like they tell you too just 100% percent potting soil so I've always had a lot of leaves. It's still a pretty robust 21 year old strelitzia and I'm gonna get this sucka to flower again! |
Positive | On Nov 12, 2009, stephenp from Wirral, UK, Zone 9a, A lovely plant, world famous of course. |
Positive | On Mar 24, 2009, Linda_CA from Riverside, CA wrote: My S. reginae is approximately 15 years old, and is over 5 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. It's planted at the northwest corner of the house, and although was slow to get started, it now blooms continuously--and most of the flowers are doubles. It continues to flourish with minimum care...despite the Santa Ana winds that plague Southern California. It has survived winds of 70 mph. I have shared many offshoots with friends and family. One of my favorite plants. |
Positive | On Oct 17, 2008, Upir from Jupiter, FL (Zone 10a) wrote: I found this plant tossed outside for the garbage man at the mall where I used to work in NJ; I brought it home, where for 2 months it did nothing but sit there looking rotten. Now, I've moved to FL, where I promptly put the big guy out on my balcony. What a difference! In the space of 3 months it's already grown 3 HUGE new leaves, and looks like it's working on a 4th (or maybe a whole new stalk?)... I can't wait to see if I can get it healthy enough to bloom! Surprised how willingly it was brought back to life - hardier than I thought, I guess! |
Positive | On Oct 8, 2008, agentdonny007 from Las Vegas, NV (Zone 8b) wrote: Beautiful plant! Adds tropical look to north/east exposure. Leaves burn too much with afternoon sun due to high light intensities in desert. May need protection on frosty nights but well worth the appeal:) I have grown this plant with little protection but it was near the wall of my house. |
Positive | On Aug 21, 2008, AarronIkarus from Onalaska, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: Our greenhouse has two of these: one in the back (which gets more shade), and the other in the front (which gives it more sunlight). The one in the back has bloomed twice this summer. The one in the front has never bloomed to my knowledge. |
Positive | On Oct 12, 2007, orchid_time from Lakeville, MN wrote: I grow my S. reginae in a pot in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. I grew it from seed back in late 1980s. It first set buds in an 8" pot after becomming root bound and left out on the patio till near frost conditions, was brought in-doors for the winter and bloomed all winter long. I eventually transplanted it up to a 16 to 18" pot, and the thing weight a ton to move, but would have over 30 blooms in a season. I divided it and down-sized the pot to a 12-14" pot, and now its movable again and still has lots of blooms. |
Positive | On May 20, 2007, eliasastro from Athens, Very showy plant with really tropical appearance. |
Positive | On Jan 11, 2007, hesi from Auckland, Hi, I have grown Strelitzia reginae and also the juncea and parvifolia for about the last 5 years in 60litre bags. All plants are grown by propagating divisions from large excavated clumps. |
Positive | On Jul 18, 2006, phoenixtropical from Mesa, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: The tropical bird of paradise grows great in Phoenix Arizona, especially on the northern side of the house. It is easy to take care of but takes a long time to start blooming. |
Positive | On Apr 9, 2006, scottstang from Palmdale, CA wrote: I live in Palmdale, CA, which is in the high desert of Los Angeles County. I have seen this plant growing here in Palmdale and in the neighboring city of Lancaster. In fact I've even seen blooms in the winter here. This is interesting in that it gets down into the 20's here and we recently had light snow. Luckily here in L.A. county they can be purchased quite inexpensively. This is one of my favorite plants! |
Positive | On Jul 15, 2005, fluffygrue from Manchester, Lovely plant, this. I've not yet had flowers, but leaf growth is very glossy and green, so I'm hopeful.. This one never sees real sunlight as it's behind a thin curtain, and it's happy. |
Positive | On May 27, 2005, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Official flower of the city of Los Angeles. |
Neutral | On Apr 3, 2005, miltonmama from Milton, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: I, like k5cents, have a strelitzia whose tips curl and turn brown. Is this normal? |
Positive | On Feb 9, 2005, njreis from Tiverton, RI wrote: I have had my Bird of Paradise for 10 years now. Its in a big 14" pot. in the winter it's inside in front of a south facing window. It usualy folowers just after Christmas. In the summer it goes back out side on the deck in semi shade/sun. I usually cut the growth back every fall when I bring it inside so I can share the living room with it. I like it but it is a little to big! I would like to replace it with a dwarf form that I have read about. I have seen seeds for the dwarf form, but I don't want to have to wait 5 years for it to bloom again! Anyone know of a domestic supplier of the dwarf form? |
Positive | On Aug 27, 2004, pokerboy from Canberra, A great plant with exotic flowers and large leaves. Drought tolerant once established. It can survive tempuratures to -8 in a sheltered position. That means under a pergola or patio roof in a pot. Mine did anyway andf it was quite young. Does well in semishade. Good for seaside gardens as the leathery leaves withstand the salt breeze. It is a interesting plant. pokerboy. |
Neutral | On Jun 10, 2004, greyyhawkk from Seattle, WA wrote: Palmbob -- where would one order the rare yellow-leafed variety? |
Positive | On Apr 6, 2004, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro, Although Bird of Paradise has in Rio de Janeiro the perfect conditions to grow, people seem to avoid it. I don´t know why. It´s a beautiful plant, with great flowers, and doesn´t demand more care than the regular plants. |
Neutral | On Nov 18, 2003, K5CENTS wrote: I'm wondering why the leaves on my Bird of Paradise turn brown on the tips and curl. When they emerge, they are a beautiful light green. The plant was a gift from a friend, and is becoming quite large, growing in a south-facing window where it receives indirect/filtered light. |
Positive | On Nov 18, 2003, suncatcheracres from Old Town, FL wrote: This plant grows everywhere in St. Petersburg, Florida, zone 9b. It is used a lot in commercial landscaping, as well as residential yards. In recent years the Tampa Bay Area has become a "heat island," due to all of the development and concrete, and with less than the usual rainfall, but these plants still do very well there despite the often drought conditions and water restrictions. |
Neutral | On Nov 17, 2003, nipajo from Dallas, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: My sister bought 4 seeds home from Hawaii, this year. I put mine in a pot and then forgot it. After I bought most of the plants back inside for the winter I noticed sprouts in the pot. They are still small but are very noticeable. one is just above the pot, am anxious to see the results. |
Positive | On Jan 6, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: In Southern California, where this plant is grown all over, both in public and private gardens, as well as along streets and businesses, it is a very hardy plant. It does exceptionally well even in most of zone 9. It is also fairly drought tolerant, though also difficult to overwater. It is one of the easiest plants to move and divide, having short, very fleshy rhizomous roots that, though very brittle, recover easily and quickly. |
Neutral | On Sep 9, 2002, Baa wrote: A large, evergreen, frost tender perennial from South Africa. |
Positive | On Sep 4, 2002, Evert from Helsinki, Pretty plant with big leaves and exotic flowers. Often used in flower arrangements. Easy to grow from seeds. |