Common Name: Orange Bird of Paradise, Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower, African Crane Flower, Paradise Flower
Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
If you are looking for a bird of paradise that remains a manageable size, then Strelitzia Reginae, more commonly called the Orange Bird of Paradise, could be the bird for you! The foliage is smaller and narrower than the White Bird of Paradise but equally tropical looking! This floor plant grows to a 5' indoor height and will clump equally as wide if kept in bright indirect light and adequately cared for. Although they seldom bloom indoors, you can try to beat the odds by giving them 8 hours of sunlight daily and keeping the surrounding air over 75°F.
Light
The Orange Bird of Paradise requires bright indirect light and lots of it. This plant can grow very large and involves a lot of light to bulk up. It also requires a lot of light to flower indoors, which rarely happens! We suggest finding a setting that provides at least 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight daily. This plant can survive in lower light, but it will produce smaller leaves and not grow quickly. You can plant your Orange Bird of Paradise outdoors but remember to acclimate them by placing them in the shade for two weeks before relocating them under full sunlight!
Water
For your Orange Bird of Paradise, allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering, and when you do water, saturate the soil until excess water drains through the grow pot. Since this houseplant requires lots of bright light, that may cause the soil to dry out more quickly, so be prepared to water the plant more frequently. Cut back on how often your Orange Bird of Paradise is watered during the fall and winter.
Soil
Use a high-quality potting mix that is well-draining and made for indoor or tropical plants. You can mix a little sand into the soil, which can also help improve drainage. For optimal growth, aim for a pH level between 6.0 to 7.5.
Temperature
Comfortable temperatures between 65-85°F are suitable for Orange Bird of Paradise plants. As a tropical plant, the Orange Bird of Paradise does not like to be cold, so if you bring the plant outdoors for the warmer months, get it back inside before the overnight lows dip below 50°F at night.
Humidity
The Orange Bird of Paradise can live in average humidity, but increased humidity will help this plant thrive. Place the Orange Bird of Paradise in a naturally humid area, or use a humidifier or a pebble tray with water to create the ideal environment. Learn how to increase the humidity of your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Orange Bird of Paradise plant using a diluted complete liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season. Alternatively, top-dress the soil with a 1" layer of organic compost. Scratch the compost into the uppermost layer of the soil and then water thoroughly! The Orange Bird of Paradise can grow somewhat quickly, and providing additional nutrients can help the plant reach its full potential.
Growth Rate
Orange Bird of Paradise plants can grow up to a mature height of 3 to 5 feet when grown as a houseplant or in a container. When grown in this plant's native habitat, it can grow taller, up to around 6 to 8 feet (in ideal conditions)!
Pet Friend or Foe
An Orange Bird of Paradise is toxic! Foe!
Pro Tips
- Avoid placing your Orange Bird of Paradise plant in direct sunlight, as it can scorch its leaves!
- Only repot this plant when it becomes root-bound, which may be every 2-3 years.
- During winter, reduce or pause watering and fertilizing this plant.
- You can propagate your Orange Bird of Paradise from division or by planting seeds! When dividing, ensure each division has healthy roots and a good portion of the plant.