The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a bold South African plant with paddle-shaped leaves and orange and blue flowers shaped like a bird’s head. Its giant cousin, the white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), is often sold as a big indoor foliage plant. Bird of paradise care indoors comes down to as much bright light as you can give it, steady moisture in summer and drier soil in winter, warmth above about 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F), and patience, because plants usually need several years before they flower. This guide follows the RHS, NC State Extension, UF/IFAS and the ASPCA.
Orange vs White Bird of Paradise
| Strelitzia reginae (orange) | Strelitzia nicolai (white) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size outdoors | 3 to 5 ft tall, 2 to 4 ft wide (UF/IFAS) | 20 to 30 ft tall, 10 ft wide (UF/IFAS); up to 10 m (RHS) |
| Leaves | Gray-green, about 12 to 18 in long (UF/IFAS) | Large, banana-like; shred in wind (UF/IFAS) |
| Flowers | Orange and blue | White with a blue tongue, inside the canopy (UF/IFAS) |
| Indoors | The most popular houseplant species (RHS) | Grown mainly as a large foliage plant; too big for most homes long term (RHS) |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 10 to 11 or 12 (UF/IFAS, NC State) | Zones 9B to 11; cold-sensitive (UF/IFAS) |
Sources: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions; RHS; NC State Extension.
NC State Extension says S. reginae is native from the Cape Provinces to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Both species are cared for the same way indoors; the white one simply grows much larger.
Bird of Paradise Care at a Glance
| Need | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Light | Lots of bright light, beside a large sunny window (RHS); a well-lit, sunny spot (NC State) |
| Water | Moist but not saturated in summer; fairly dry between waterings from late November (RHS) |
| Temperature | Never below 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F) (RHS); 55 to 65°F at night (NC State) |
| Humidity | Prefers humid air; mist or use a gravel tray (RHS) |
| Compost | Peat-free loam-based (John Innes No. 3) with grit (RHS) |
| Feeding | Liquid houseplant feed every two weeks, spring and summer (RHS) |
| Flowering age | Usually 5 to 10 years (RHS) |
| Pets | Toxic to dogs, cats and horses; mainly fruit and seeds (ASPCA) |
Sources: RHS How to grow strelitzia; NC State Extension; ASPCA.
Light
The RHS says bird of paradise needs lots of bright light, ideally beside a large sunny window or in a conservatory, with a little shade while it is flowering to protect the colors from strong sun. NC State lists full sun to partial shade and recommends a well-lit, sunny spot indoors. In most homes, that means the brightest window you have, usually south- or west-facing. In dim spots it grows slowly and won’t flower. A grow light helps in winter; see our grow light guide.
Watering and Humidity
The RHS says to keep the compost constantly moist but not saturated in spring and summer (daily watering may be needed in warm weather in a sunny spot), and from late November to let it get fairly dry between waterings. NC State also says to water freely in spring and summer and keep it drier in winter, and warns that overwatering or poorly drained soil can cause root rot. Always let excess water drain away. See our overwatered vs underwatered guide.
The RHS says bird of paradise prefers a humid atmosphere and suggests misting the leaves regularly or standing the pot on damp gravel. Brown leaf edges are often a sign the air is too dry.
Temperature and Summer Outdoors
The RHS says temperatures should never drop below 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F) and suggests ventilating once it reaches 20°C (68°F). NC State gives moderate night temperatures of 55 to 65°F. Keep it away from cold windows and drafts in winter.
Bird of paradise can spend summer outdoors. The RHS suggests a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, hardening the plant off gradually, and bringing it back in before night temperatures approach 12°C (54°F). NC State suggests moving it outside once temperatures are above 70°F, to a sunny or lightly shaded spot with good air flow. Wind can shred the leaves (RHS, UF/IFAS), so shelter matters.
Soil, Pots and Feeding
The RHS recommends peat-free, loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3 with added grit for drainage. NC State lists fertile, loamy, well-drained soil. Use a heavy pot with drainage holes, because these plants become top-heavy.
Repotting: the RHS suggests repotting every couple of years in spring, after flowering, into a pot only slightly larger, and notes that keeping the plant slightly rootbound tends to encourage flowering. Each spring, replace the top 5 cm (2 in) of compost.
Feeding: the RHS recommends a liquid houseplant feed every two weeks through spring and summer; NC State also says to fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Stop feeding in winter.
Getting a Bird of Paradise to Flower
- Age: the RHS says plants usually need to be five to ten years old before they flower, and seed-grown plants may take five or more years. Young plants not flowering is normal.
- Light: plenty of bright light, with some direct sun (RHS, NC State).
- Snug pot: slightly rootbound plants flower more readily (RHS).
- Regular feeding and watering: the RHS links a lack of flowers to unsuitable conditions, often low humidity or irregular feeding and watering.
Flowers usually appear in winter and spring indoors, and each lasts up to a month (RHS). NC State notes that outdoors in warm climates it blooms on and off through the year.
Propagation
- Division: the RHS suggests cutting offsets from the outside of the clump in early spring, each with leaves and roots, and potting them up. NC State and UF/IFAS also recommend division.
- Seed: nick or scratch the hard seed coat and soak the seeds, then germinate at 18 to 21°C (65 to 70°F); germination takes four to eight weeks (RHS), and seedlings take years to flower.
Split Leaves, Brown Edges and Pests
| Symptom | Likely cause | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Split or shredded leaves | Wind or knocks; the large leaves tear naturally | RHS, UF/IFAS |
| Brown leaf edges, no flowers | Unsuitable conditions: low humidity, irregular watering or feeding | RHS |
| Yellowing, wilting, soft base | Root rot from overwatering or poor drainage | NC State |
| Yellow or brown spots | Leaf spot | NC State, UF/IFAS |
| Bumps, cottony clusters, webbing | Scale, mealybugs, spider mites | RHS, NC State |
Sources: RHS; NC State Extension; UF/IFAS.
Split leaves are cosmetic and don’t harm the plant. For pests, see our mealybug guide, scale guide and spider mite guide.
Is Bird of Paradise Toxic to Cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Its toxic principles are gastrointestinal irritants, and the signs are mild nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, caused mainly by the fruit and seeds. NC State also lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep it out of reach and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if a pet eats it. See our cat-safe plants list.
For other indoor trees and shrubs, see our guides to Norfolk Island pine and croton care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does a bird of paradise need indoors?
Lots of bright light, ideally beside a large sunny window (RHS). It won’t flower in dim spots.
Why is my bird of paradise not flowering?
Usually because it is too young (the RHS says five to ten years is typical), in too little light, or kept in irregular conditions. A slightly rootbound plant flowers more readily.
How often should I water a bird of paradise?
Keep the compost moist but not saturated in spring and summer, and let it get fairly dry between waterings in winter (RHS).
Why are my bird of paradise leaves splitting?
The large leaves tear easily in wind or when knocked (RHS, UF/IFAS). Splits are cosmetic.
What is the difference between orange and white bird of paradise?
S. reginae is the orange-flowered species, 3 to 5 feet tall; S. nicolai has white flowers and grows 20 to 30 feet tall outdoors (UF/IFAS).
Is bird of paradise toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, mainly the fruit and seeds.