Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to care for a Bird of Paradise Plant

The structural beauty your garden needs. - by Laura Barry
  • 22 Jan 2021

The Bird of Paradise plant, or strelitzia, is a large and gorgeous foliage plant that looks just as majestic indoors in a pot, as it does outside in the garden.

WATCH: Plant selection and placement tips

This plant is famous for its round palm-like leaves and its brightly-coloured architectural flowers that bloom to look like tropical birds – earning the strelitzia the household name of ‘Bird of Paradise’ plant.

Strelitzia require a little bit of extra care if you want it to look lush and gorgeous all year round – and if you want the flowers to bloom then you’ll need to be extra diligent. Here is our guide to growing a Bird of Paradise plant.

What is a Bird of Paradise?

Bird of Paradise is native to Africa, strelitzia can grow up to 1.3 metres tall and spread up to two to three metres wide when aged, and has similar foliage to that of banana leaves. It’s an evergreen variety and is a tropical plant.

There are three strelitzia species: reginae, juncea and nicolai, and all are used to make a dramatic impact in the garden, as hardy foliage plants or to create a tropical-look garden indoors and outdoors.

The flowers usually appear between April and November, but may not appear until the plant is 4 to 5 years old. The Bird of Paradise plant is also poisonous to cats and dogs if eaten, so steer clear of this one if your pet has a habit of chewing on your plants.

outdoor bird of paradise plant strelitzia
Getty

How to care for a Bird of Paradise outside

The garden experts at Bunnings suggest popping you strelitzia in a suitably warm and sunny position, and don’t forget to keep it watered in summer.

  • Strelitzia prefer warm temperatures and sheltered areas that don’t get cold.
  • Strelitzia prefer light, free-draining soil with an extra bit of fertilizer or compost every three months during growing season.
  • Keep the plant in a warm and sunny position, away from draughts.
  • Will tolerate minimal shade.
  • Strelitzia like moisture during hot weather.
  • Divide in-ground plants every 5 years.

How to care for an indoor Bird of Paradise plant

The horticultural gurus at Yates suggest giving an indoor strelitzia a solid start to life indoors. 

  • Keep the plant in a sunny, brightly-lit spot
  • Water when the surface of the soil feels dry
  • Be careful not to over-water, and reduce watering during the cooler months.
  • When soil is completely dry, water enough to saturate the soil then not again until completely dried out.
  • Use a high-quality potting mix to fill your pot and choose a pot at least 40cm wide pot with holes for drainage.
  • Give the plant a feed once a fortnight during spring and summer, but don’t feed it during winter.
  • Usually requires re-potting every 3 years.

Common mistakes

  • Not enough sunlight and moisture means the flowers may not bloom
  • Not dusting the large leaves.
  • Over-watering is bad for this plant, only water when needed
  • Most common disease are fungus-based, and root rot.

You might also like:

How to tell the difference between Birds of Paradise plants

8 of the best indoor flowering plants in Australia

The essential guide to Australian native plants

  • Garden
  • Indoor Plants
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

What to plant in May

What to plant in May

Seven of the best bathroom plants

Seven of the best bathroom plants

How to grow tulips

How to grow tulips

How to grow lavender

How to grow lavender

{headline}

{headline}

10 of the best spring flowers

10 of the best spring flowers

How to grow azaleas

How to grow azaleas

Orchid care: How to look after orchids

Orchid care: How to look after orchids

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow hippeastrums

How to grow hippeastrums

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

How to care for your indoor plants in winter

17 expert gardening tips

17 expert gardening tips

How to make your own succulent display

How to make your own succulent display

How to plan your spring garden

How to plan your spring garden

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

Graham visits Bob Cherry’s garden

Graham visits Bob Cherry’s garden

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription