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Plant care

Bird of Paradise (Crane Flower) care

Strelitzia reginae

Also called Crane Flower, Orange Bird of Paradise, Bird of Paradise Flower.

RHS H1cUSDA 10-12Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 1-1.5 m tall with a similar spread

Watering rhythm

7-10days

When the top 3-4 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Free-draining loam-based compost

Humidity

40-60%

Temp

13-27°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

1-1.5 m tall with a similar spread

Care at a glance

Light

Bird of Paradise needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Thrives in 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Outdoors in full sun is ideal for flowering. Indoors, place in the sunniest south- or west-facing window. Insufficient light severely reduces or prevents flowering. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water bird of paradise when the top 3-4 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline; the thick rhizomatous roots are prone to rot in waterlogged conditions.

Soil and pot

Bird of Paradise grows best in free-draining loam-based compost. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3 with added perlite or grit to improve drainage. Avoid peat-heavy mixes that stay wet. pH 6.0-7.5 is suitable. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Bird of Paradise sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 13-27°C (55-80°F). Tolerates average household humidity well. Does not demand high humidity like many tropicals. Good air circulation around the foliage is beneficial to reduce fungal issues. If you keep the room above 13 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed bird of paradise sparingly. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer. A feed with a slightly higher potassium ratio encourages flower production. Do not fertilise in winter when growth slows. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on bird of paradise in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Failure to flower — Inadequate light, being pot-bound (though slight pot-binding aids flowering), or inconsistent feeding are the most common causes. Ensure at least 4 hours of direct sun and regular feeding.
  • Scale insects — Waxy scale insects may colonise stems and leaf undersides. Remove manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or apply a systemic insecticide.
  • Root rot — Caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting leaves despite moist soil. Repot into fresh, well-drained compost and reduce watering.
  • Brown leaf tips — Usually caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, or fluoride in tap water. Use rainwater or filtered water where possible.
  • Mealybugs — White fluffy deposits in leaf axils indicate mealybugs. Treat with neem oil spray or wipe affected areas with isopropyl alcohol.

Companion plants

Bird of Paradise pairs well with Agapanthus africanus, Plumbago auriculata, Lantana camara, and Canna x generalis. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide established clumps in spring by carefully separating rhizomes with a sharp, sterile knife, ensuring each division has several healthy leaves and roots. Seed propagation is possible but plants take 3-5 years to flower from seed. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Bird of Paradise is mildly toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists Strelitzia reginae as mildly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion of the leaves or seeds can cause mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Keep away from pets that chew plants. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Bird of Paradise care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Strelitzia reginae?

Strelitzia reginae is most commonly called Bird of Paradise, but it is also known as Crane Flower, Orange Bird of Paradise, Bird of Paradise Flower. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Bird of Paradise apply identically to anything sold as Crane Flower.

How much light does bird of paradise need?

Bird of Paradise grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Thrives in 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Outdoors in full sun is ideal for flowering. Indoors, place in the sunniest south- or west-facing window. Insufficient light severely reduces or prevents flowering.

How often should I water bird of paradise?

Water bird of paradise when the top 3-4 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline; the thick rhizomatous roots are prone to rot in waterlogged conditions. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is bird of paradise toxic to cats and dogs?

Bird of Paradise is mildly toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists Strelitzia reginae as mildly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion of the leaves or seeds can cause mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Keep away from pets that chew plants.

What USDA hardiness zone does bird of paradise grow in?

Bird of Paradise is rated for USDA zone 10-12 and RHS hardiness H1c. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Bird of Paradise deep-dive guides

Every aspect of bird of paradise care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Bird of Paradise qualifies for 1 curated Growli shortlist — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Bird of Paradise is also known as Crane Flower, Orange Bird of Paradise, and Bird of Paradise Flower.