Plant library · Palms & Tropicals
Strelitzia reginae
Bird of Paradise brings a bold, upright tropical presence to sunny plans, reaching about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Its crane-like orange flowers arrive from winter into early spring, giving an evergreen planting a strong cool-season focal point. Use it where its broad clump can read as a single architectural mass rather than being squeezed among fine-textured or low-growing plants.
Place Bird of Paradise as an accent at the back or middle of a broad border, beside a patio, or near a pool or hardscape where its large leaves have open air around them. Keep it clear of narrow path edges and door swings so foliage does not crowd everyday circulation. In areas north of Zone 10, use a patio container that can be moved to protection rather than assigning it a permanent outdoor bed.
Set plants 4 feet apart, center to center, to allow each clump to develop its roughly 4-foot mature spread. That spacing works best as a minimum for a continuous grouping; leave extra room at bed edges, walls, and seating areas for the leaves to project without blocking access. In a mixed border, reserve the full footprint before threading smaller plants into the remaining open ground.
Give this plant a full-sun position with good drainage, whether it is planted in the ground or held in a container. Keep moisture even during active growth without leaving the root zone wet for extended periods. A container should have drainage holes and enough soil volume to steady the developing clump on an exposed patio.[1][2]
The winter-to-early-spring bloom period makes this a useful focal plant near frequently used outdoor spaces when many warm-season border plants are quiet. Keep the planting position visually open through that season, rather than allowing temporary pots or tall seasonal displays to hide the flowers. Its perennial habit also makes the footprint a year-round part of the plan.
Bird of Paradise forms a clump and needs a sheltered position when used outdoors in a container, as strong winds can shred the large leaves. Treat it as a substantial long-term feature rather than a narrow filler plant. If moving it outdoors seasonally, leave a clear route between its storage space and patio position so the container can be relocated without rearranging the garden.[1][2]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.