Strelitzia, bird of paradise

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Strelitzia is a superb plant that comes from the tropics, boasting simply magnificent flowers and nicely dense leafage.

Summary of Strelitzia facts

Name – Strelitzia reginae
Common name – bird of paradise
Family – Strelitziaceae
Type – perennial

Height – 3 to 6 ½ feet (1 to 2 meters)
Exposure – full sun, part sun
Soil – ordinary

Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – May to September.

Planting and re-potting strelitzia

Strelitzia is sensitive to frost, even light frost below 35°F (2°C) and thus can only be planted directly in the ground in regions with mild enough winters.

It normally lives in the warmer regions of the globe that offer rather tropical growing conditions and must be grown in pots and brought indoors in winter if this isn’t the case.

Strelitzia planted in the ground

• plant in spring,
• a very sunny spot,
• a mix of soil mix and garden soil for planting in the garden,
• rather moist soil, cool but well drained.

Strelitzia planted in a pot

• it requires proper flower plant soil mix.
• it will grow better in a partly shaded emplacement to avoid drying up too fast,
• avoid drafts and try to find a place sheltered from wind.
• anticipate repotting every 2 or 3 years on average in a pot that is slightly larger than the previous.

Watering Strelitzia

In summer, when the weather is hot, it is important to water your strelitzia often, especially when grown in pots.

• Watering in the evening is preferred to reduce evaporation.
• Avoid wetting the leafage.
• Reduce the watering in winter, especially for potted specimens.

Pruning and caring for Strelitzia

If the Strelitzia is well planted and its location suitable, it will only require little care.

No pruning is actually necessary except if you wish to balance the shrub out.

• If so, favor light pruning.
• Eliminate dried leaves as they appear.

Strelitzia in winter

If it was planted in the ground outdoors, it means your climate will allow for it, and so there isn’t much to do except to protect the plant if ever temperatures drop.

In pots and in areas where winters are quite cold, proceed with bringing the plant inside to a spot where the temperatures stay cool.

• Position the plant in a luminous room.
• The room temperature must never drop below 50°F (10°C) in winter.
• Reduce watering in winter.

Learn more about Strelitzia

This very beautiful perennial offers a unique yellow and red blooming that looks like an elegant quiver of arrow.

Native to South Africa, it prefers rather warm climate of course if growing in the ground, otherwise you can plant it in a garden box and bring it indoors for winter.

Its natural environment is around bodies of water, which is why it requires a certain amount of soil moisture to thrive.