Bird of paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Also called Crane flower and Strelitzia
Houseplant · Trees & big statementsIt will not flower until it is pot-bound and at least four years old, and every repot sets that clock back. The temptation to give it a bigger pot is exactly what keeps it green.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 8 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun to bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out for the summer RHS H1C, to 5°C
- Size
- 1.2 m tall · 1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- The Eastern Cape, in South Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: vomiting, drowsiness and unsteadiness. The seeds carry the most.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-05.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Plenty of leaves and nothing else. It needs to be pot-bound, four years old and given a cool winter — repotting it is what keeps resetting the clock.Years without a flower · disorder
- The paddles tear along the veins. That is the plant's own design for shedding wind and is not damage; a torn leaf is not a reason to cut it off.Split leaves · disorder