Strelizia spp.

How to Grow Birds of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise is a flamboyant, colourful and exotic looking plant that has striking bird-like orange, yellow or white flowers and narrow paddle shaped leaves. Native to Africa, it grows well in Australia and makes a perfect indoor plant in a brightly lit room.

Indoors in a very bright, well lit spot. Outdoors in temperate to tropical areas in full sun to partly shaded spot.

Only water when the surface of the potting mix feels dry - overwatering can be detrimental.

Good quality potting mix.

Suitable for growing all year round.

How to grow birds of paradise in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny to partly shaded spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes

Step 4

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw ensuring to keep it away from the leaf bases.

Step 5

Feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser every 8 weeks from spring until mid autumn.

How to grow birds of paradise in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 400mm wide (or larger, depending on the size of your plant). Position in well-lit spot.

Step 2

Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Speciality Potting Mix Plants and Ferns.

Step 3

Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 4

Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 5

Help protect your plants against fungus gnats by applying a layer of Yates Gnat Barrier to the top of the mix.

Step 6

Water when the potting mix feels dry. Gently dig around in the top few centimetres of potting mix with your finger. If potting mix sticks to your finger and feels moist, watering can be delayed. If it feels dry and dusty, it's time to re-water.

Step 7

Feed the plant fortnightly during spring and summer with Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Liquid Plant Food . If you prefer a set-and-forget option, use Yates Thrive Plant Food Spikes Plants & Ferns. Simply insert the required amount of spikes into the potting mix and water in well - it feeds for up to two months.

Growing Tips

Not enough sunlight or moisture may hinder the development of the flowers.
Dust the leaves regularly with a soft cloth. Dust can clog up the pores of the leaves and make it difficult for the leaves to function.
The Bird of Paradise is poisonous if eaten by animals such as dogs, cats & horses.
May take 4-5 years before its first flower, but it's definitely worth persevering!
There are 3 main species:
- Strelitzia reginae
- Strelitzia nicolai
- Strelitzia juncea
Bird of Paradise forms a large clump that can be divided into smaller plants. The root system can be extensive and matted, so it can be a little tricky, but not impossible. Use a sharp spade to cut into the clump, ensuring the division has a good root system on it. Plant is as soon as possible and water in with a diluted seaweed solution. You can also trim some of the leaves off to reduce transpiration, which might help it grow some more roots. Once it has established, apply Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate. It's a organically certified fertiliser, which contains seaweed, blood and bone, and fish meal to help promote healthy growth.