Strelitzia reginae
Bird of paradise, Crane flower, Crane lily
Also known as Strelitzia
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a dramatic and idiosyncratic flower that bears a curious resemblance to an avian crane! The plant itself makes a foliage clump of upright leaves, like so many green oars, stored in a rack often having a reddish midrib. From the foliage arise stout flowering stalks that bear the bird head shaped flowers which are orange (in fact the calyces), with a blue-purple flower. The flower is angled like the head of a bird. This plant enjoys a sunny or partially shaded spot with reasonable soil that is well drained but moist, though it likes to be on the dry side during the winter. It isn't frost hardy and needs the protection of a warm greenhouse. It reaches around 1.2m (4ft) height with a 90cm (3ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Horizontal
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.