Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia): Care and Growing

The bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) is a plant from South Africa whose flowers look like the head of an exotic bird with an orange crest. Indoors it grows into a large clump with tough leaves and, with the right care, blooms every year. The secret is plenty of light and a cool winter.

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Illustration 1. Each strelitzia flower lasts up to 2–3 weeks on the plant and up to a month when cut.

Which strelitzias are grown indoors

• Strelitzia reginae — the most common, 1–1.5 m tall, with orange and blue flowers.
• Strelitzia nicolai — a giant with banana-like leaves and white and blue flowers; indoors it is usually grown as a foliage plant.
• Strelitzia juncea — with narrow, needle-like leaves; very drought-tolerant.

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Illustration 2. A mature strelitzia takes up a lot of room, so plan space for it.

Light and temperature

Strelitzia needs a great deal of light: a south- or west-facing window, and a balcony or garden in summer. It copes well with direct sun; just give a little shade at midday.

In summer, 20–25 °C is comfortable. In winter, 12–15 °C: a cool rest of 2–3 months is what sets the flower buds. In a warm flat, strelitzia often fails to bloom in winter.

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Illustration 3. The more light, the better the chance of flowers.

Watering and feeding

• In summer, water generously as soon as the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry.
• In winter, water moderately, every 1–2 weeks, especially if kept cool.
• The fleshy roots rot in standing water, so good drainage is essential.
• Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth; in hot weather you can mist them.
• In spring and summer, feed every 2 weeks with fertiliser for flowering plants.

Repotting

Repot young plants every spring and mature ones every 2–3 years. The roots are brittle, so work carefully, moving the root ball intact. Use a deep pot and rich soil with added sand or perlite.

Propagation

1. By division. The most reliable method: when repotting, split the plant so that each part has 1–2 shoots and roots. Dust the cuts with charcoal. Divided plants bloom after 1–2 years.
2. By seed. Soak fresh seeds in warm water for 2–3 days and sow in light soil at 23–25 °C. Seedlings appear in one to six months, and flowering only in the 4th–5th year.

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Illustration 4. Division is the quickest way to a new flowering strelitzia.

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Illustration 5. Strelitzia seeds with a fluffy orange “cap” germinate slowly.

Why strelitzia won’t bloom

• the plant is younger than 4–5 years;
• not enough light;
• a warm winter without a rest period;
• the pot is too big: strelitzia blooms once its roots fill the pot;
• frequent repotting or division.

In summary. Bright sun, generous summer watering, a cool winter and a snug pot are the four conditions for strelitzia to give you its “birds of paradise”.