Bird of Paradise Plants

How to choose a bird of paradise

For the famous orange flower, choose Strelitzia reginae (Strelitzia reginae). It forms a clump about 1.8m tall and 1.5m wide and flowers from autumn through spring once mature. Juncea has the same flower on a plant with narrow, rush-like leaves and almost no paddle, which gives it a sculptural look and makes it the toughest of the three in heat and drought. For height and a tropical canopy, the giant white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) grows to 6m with 3m of spread, its white and blue flowers sitting in the leaf bases. It is a screening and feature plant rather than a flowering one.

Where they work

Full sun to light shade, with full sun giving the most flowers. All three are at home in coastal gardens, on pool surrounds, beside driveways and in large pots, and they take wind, salt and dry spells once established. In Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide they grow in the open garden. In Melbourne, Canberra and the cooler tablelands they want a warm north-facing wall or a pot that can be moved under cover, because young plants are damaged by frost; established clumps shrug off light frosts. The giant white strelitzia's leaves shred in strong wind, so give it some shelter if you want them whole, and keep it 3m from walls and pipes. They pair well with other tropical plants and with the agaves and aloes in a dry garden.

Planting and spacing

Plant in free-draining soil enriched with compost, in spring or autumn in the south and any time in the north. Space reginae and juncea 1.5m apart for a continuous clump and 1m in a row along a fence; give the giant white at least 3m. In pots use a premium mix and a container of 400mm or more; a crowded root ball encourages flowering in reginae. Water deeply every week for the first summer, then only through long dry spells.

Care basics

Feed in spring with a complete fertiliser or a layer of compost. Remove spent flower stems and old outer leaves at the base to keep clumps tidy. Divide large clumps in spring if they outgrow their space, though divided plants can take two years to flower again. Strelitzias are rarely troubled by pests; scale on the leaves is wiped off or treated with horticultural oil. Our guide to growing Strelitzia nicolai covers the giant form in more detail.

Common questions

How long before a bird of paradise flowers?

Strelitzia reginae grown from seed takes three to five years; the advanced plants here are closer to flowering size. A plant in full sun with its roots slightly crowded flowers soonest.

Will bird of paradise survive frost?

Light frost, once established, with some leaf burn. Young plants and the giant white form need protection below about minus 2 degrees. In cold districts grow them in pots and move them under cover in winter.

How big does the giant white bird of paradise get?

Around 6m tall and 3m wide as a clump in the ground. In a large pot it stays nearer 3m. It needs room, and it is not a plant for a courtyard bed.