Moderate Tropical Toxic to pets

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

The Bird of Paradise is an exotic plant with spectacular flowers shaped like a tropical bird.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 10 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

40–60 %
Temperature

12–35 °C

How to care for your Bird of Paradise

Everything you need to keep your Bird of Paradise healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Strelitzia reginae, native to South Africa, produces one of the most spectacular flowers in the plant kingdom. Its orange and blue flowers resemble the head of an exotic tropical bird. In a pot, it can reach 1 to 1.5 meters in height and flower indoors if it receives enough light. It is very resilient and appreciates warm temperatures.

Watering your Bird of Paradise

Every 10 days

Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry out before the next watering.

How to know it needs water

Substrate dry 5–6 cm deep
Leaves very slightly pendulous

How much light a Bird of Paradise needs

Full sun

Bright direct to indirect light; thrives in a south or west-facing position.

Direct sun tolerated: 4 to 8 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-west, West, South-east, East

Humidity and misting

40–60 %

Low to medium (40–60%) Occasional misting is beneficial in summer, particularly in dry indoor environments.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Apply monthly from April to September to promote flowering; withhold in winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced or potassium-rich liquid fertilizer · 3-1-2

Repotting your Bird of Paradise

Every 24 months

Use a rich, well-draining substrate in a large, heavy pot to counterbalance the imposing top growth.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, pine bark, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Rhizomes overflowing the pot rim
Growth slowing markedly

Pruning your Bird of Paradise

Remove spent flower stems and dry leaves at the base throughout the year. Cut cleanly at the base of the stem with a sharp, sterilised blade.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 15 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 8 in the growing season.

15 J
13 F
10 M
9 A
8 M
8 J
8 J
9 A
10 S
11 O
13 N
15 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Mildly toxic to pets if ingested; may cause mild gastrointestinal distress.

Good to know

Its flowers resemble the head of a brightly colored tropical bird
Can live more than 25 years

Frequently asked questions about the Bird of Paradise

How do you care for a Bird of Paradise?

Water it every 10 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 40–60 %. Ideal temperature: 12–35 °C. Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry out before the next watering.

How often should you water a Bird of Paradise?

Every 10 days Water moderately; allow the top half of the substrate to dry out before the next watering. How to know it needs water : Substrate dry 5–6 cm deep ; Leaves very slightly pendulous.

How much light does a Bird of Paradise need?

Full sun Bright direct to indirect light; thrives in a south or west-facing position. 4 to 8 h a day

Is the Bird of Paradise toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Mildly toxic to pets if ingested; may cause mild gastrointestinal distress. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Bird of Paradise leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Bird of Paradise?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Use a rich, well-draining substrate in a large, heavy pot to counterbalance the imposing top growth.