Bird-of-paradise has been cultivated worldwide and is one of the best-known plants. It is native to the subtropical coastal areas of southern Africa but has been naturalized in many locations around the world. Its exotic appearance, with unique and brightly colored flowers that look like the head of a bird, has made it a favorite with horticulturists, designers, florists, and gardeners. In full flower, a bird-of-paradise looks a bit like several birds hidden in a clump of foliage, craning their necks up and turning their plumed heads and pointed beaks in different directions.
The most famous and noticeable part of bird-of-paradise is its flowers. Set atop long stalks that can reach five feet in height, the flowers have a complex structure with bright colors and copious nectar to entice their bird pollinators. A green, red, or purplish canoe-shaped bract (a modified leaf, also called a spathe) forms on the stalk, and it opens along its top edge to reveal the flower petals, stamens, and prominent stigma that unfold from inside the sheath. The flowers typically bloom from September through May.
Birds seek out the nectar, which is found in the “nectary” at the base of the flower where two petals join together. A bird hops onto the smaller, lower petal, and the bird’s weight exposes the anthers, which brush pollen on the bird’s feet and chest. When the bird flies to another flower, it lands on the prominent and sticky stigma and deposits pollen, before hopping in for another nectar treat. Different birds act as pollinators for different bird-of-paradise, but some birds, like sunbirds, have been found to be “nectar robbers,” avoiding the flower’s pollinating parts and just eating the nectar.
The leaves on a bird-of-paradise plant are arranged to form a fan-like clump of thick, waxy, and evergreen foliage. The color of the leaves varies from glossy, deep green, to blue-green, to muted gray-green. The leaves are paddle shaped, similar to banana plant leaves, and attached to a long, upright stalk. An exception is the narrow-leaved bird-of-paradise, which has leaves like pointed spikes on mature plants.
Bird-of-paradise are hardy, drought-tolerant plants that are easy to grow, especially in warm climates, and they are used extensively as ornamental landscape plants. They can also be grown as indoor houseplants in cold areas. The flowers are a staple for florists in creating exotic and tropical arrangements, not only for their looks but also because they are long lasting—up to two weeks.
This is the most well-known bird-of-paradise because of its brilliantly colored flowers: blue base petals arising from a dark green spathe, topped with an upright fan of bright orange sepals. In their native South Africa, the species is also known as the crane flower because they resemble the head of a crowned crane. The plants are typically pollinated by birds, including weaver birds in Africa and the common yellowthroat, a North American warbler, in the United States.
The elegant and exotic Strelitzia juncea, also known as narrow leaf bird of paradise, is a unique tropical plant known for its striking flowers and architectural foliage. This evergreen perennial in the Strelitziaceae family is native to South Africa but can be grown as a houseplant or in outdoor gardens year-round in warm climates.
With its long slender leaves and vivid orange and bluish blooms resembling a bird’s head it’s easy to see why Strelitzia juncea is such a coveted ornamental plant. Read on to learn all about growing and caring for this spectacular bird of paradise variety.
Overview of Strelitzia Juncea
Strelitzia juncea is a rhizomatous tender perennial that grows in a clumping habit reaching 3-4 feet tall and wide. Its leaves are narrow, erect and rush-like, starting out wider when young and becoming grassy, reaching up to 20 inches long and just an inch wide.
This plant is nicknamed “narrow leaf” and “rush leaf” bird of paradise due to its slender foliage. As it matures, the leaves reduce significantly in size, leaving just the gray-green leaf sheaths that take on the job of photosynthesis.
The exotic flowers have orange sepals and purple-blue petals that protrude to form a shape resembling a bird’s head, Blooming occurs during spring and summer in ideal conditions The Strelitzia genus gets its common name “bird of paradise” from these striking blooms
Strelitzia juncea does best in bright, warm environments. It can be grown as a houseplant or in outdoor tropical gardens. With its tropical look and vibrant colors, it makes a stunning ornamental plant for containers and borders.
How to Grow Strelitzia Juncea
When grown indoors, provide Strelitzia juncea with plenty of light from an east or west-facing window. It can tolerate a couple hours of direct morning or evening sun filtered through a sheer curtain. Avoid direct southern exposure as it may scorch the foliage.
Outdoors, plant in a sheltered spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Make sure it’s protected from cold winds and frost which can damage the foliage.
Use a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly when the top few inches become dry. Too much moisture can lead to root rot. As a tropical plant, Strelitzia juncea also appreciates high humidity. Mist the leaves daily or use a pebble tray for added moisture.
Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feed less often in winter.
Ideal temperatures for Strelitzia juncea are between 65-80°F. Keep away from drafty areas as the foliage can be damaged by cold. In zones 9-11, it can be grown outside year-round. In colder climates, it should be grown in containers that can be moved indoors before frost.
Care and Maintenance
Caring for narrow leaf bird of paradise requires paying close attention to its light, humidity, and watering needs. Here are some tips for keeping your Strelitzia juncea healthy and looking its best:
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Place in bright, indirect light indoors near an east or west window. Acclimate young plants to avoid leaf scorch.
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Mist foliage daily to provide the high humidity these tropical plants prefer.
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Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings then soak thoroughly. Ensure proper drainage.
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Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring through fall. Reduce feeding in winter.
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Prune off spent flowers and dead or damaged leaves to encourage new growth.
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Repot every 2-3 years in spring to provide fresh soil and room for root growth.
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Bring indoors before temperatures drop below 60°F. Protect from drafts and cold near windows or doors.
With the right care, Strelitzia juncea will grow into a spectacular tropical specimen plant known for its architectural shape and vivid color. Pay close attention to its preferences, and this bird of paradise is sure to thrive.
Getting Strelitzia Juncea to Bloom
Mature Strelitzia juncea plants can produce vivid orange and bluish flowers that are sure to grab attention. However, getting these tropical beauties to bloom indoors can be a challenge.
Here are some tips to encourage bird of paradise houseplants to flower:
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Provide very bright light, ideally 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day. East or west-facing windows are ideal.
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Allow the soil to dry out between waterings but don’t let it get bone dry. Proper moisture is key.
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Mist leaves daily and use pebble trays to boost humidity around the plant.
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Keep temperatures consistently warm, around 70-80°F during the day and above 60°F at night.
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Feed monthly during spring and summer with a fertilizer high in phosphorus to stimulate blooms.
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Give the plant a rest period in fall/winter with reduced watering and no fertilizer.
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Choose a mature, well-established plant that has reached at least 2-3 feet tall. Younger plants may not bloom.
Have patience – it can take Strelitzia juncea 1-2 years to adjust to indoor conditions before flowering. Proper care maximizes your chance of success.
Troubleshooting Common Strelitzia Juncea Problems
While relatively easygoing, Strelitzia juncea can encounter a few issues when grown as houseplants. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
Leggy growth – If your plant becomes spindly and leggy with wide gaps between leaves, it likely needs more sunlight. Move to a brighter location.
Leaf scorch – Brown crispy edges indicate too much direct sun. Filter the sunlight or move to a shadier spot.
Failure to bloom – Lack of bright light, improper temperatures, or insufficient maturity can prevent flowering. Review care guidelines.
Drooping leaves – Overwatering or underwatering can cause foliage to droop. Check soil moisture and adjust watering habits.
Root rot – Wet soil for too long encourages fungal rot. Repot in fresh mix, remove dead roots, and reduce watering frequency.
Mealybugs – These small sap-sucking pests cause spotting. Wipe away with alcohol or use insecticidal soap sprays.
Catching problems early allows you to correct conditions and get your plant thriving once again. Always review care guidelines when issues pop up.
Tips for Growing Strelitzia Juncea Outdoors
In warm climates like zones 10-11, Strelitzia juncea can be grown outside as a colorful ornamental plant. When planting this tropical beauty in your garden, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, protected from strong winds.
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Prepare the planting area with rich, well-draining soil, mixing in compost to retain moisture.
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Space plants 3-4 feet apart to allow for growth.
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Water deeply after planting and whenever the top few inches of soil become dry.
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Apply a thick mulch layer around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Fertilize in early spring, summer, and fall with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Prune off spent flower stems and any damaged foliage to keep plants looking their best.
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Bring potted plants indoors or protect with covers if temperatures drop below 35°F.
With the right growing conditions, bird of paradise creates a stunning tropical effect in warm climate gardens. Its architectural shape and vibrant blooms will certainly grab attention.
How to Propagate Strelitzia Juncea
These stunning tropicals can be propagated by division or from seed (if flowering occurs) to create more of these fabulous plants.
Division – The most reliable method is to divide mature clumps when repotting in spring. Gently separate a younger shoot with roots attached and repot in a small container. Keep warm and moist until new growth emerges.
Seeds – If your plant flowers, collect the unique bean-like seeds. Sow seeds in a warm, humid environment in spring. Germination can be erratic and take many months.
Cuttings – Cuttings from stems or leaves have a low success rate with Strelitzia juncea. Division or seeds are better propagation methods.
Take care not to damage the fragile roots when dividing root balls. Allow divisions several months to establish before moving to a permanent pot or garden spot.
Fun Varieties to Grow
Beyond the species, there are some fun varieties of narrow leaf bird of paradise to look for:
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‘Bubba’ – A dwarf variety growing just 1-2 feet tall, perfect for containers.
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‘Kirstenbosch’ – Large yellow-orange blooms on a compact, free-flowering plant.
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‘Moonshine’ – Elegant gray foliage with unique white and pale blue blooms.
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‘Prince Andrew’ – Dark blue flower bracts on a medium-sized plant.
Look for these special varieties at your local nursery or online retailer. The smaller selections work perfectly as houseplants.
With its graceful arching leaves and stunning tropical blooms, Strelitzia juncea makes a beautiful addition indoors or out. Though not the easiest houseplant, providing this bird of paradise variety with bright light, humid conditions, and proper care will lead to success. Its striking flowers and architectural shape add drama to any setting.
Giant bird-of-paradise Strelitzia nicolai
This is a much larger plant than Strelitzia reginae, forming huge clumps of stems that can reach 30 feet in height in mature, well-established plants. Its flowers are different as well: the crown of sepals is white or faintly pink, with a blue “tongue” of petals, arising from a dark purplish black bract. One flower spathe sprouts out of another, which gives them a double-decked appearance. The flowers bloom from spring to late summer, and they produce copious amounts of nectar that is attractive to sunbirds in their native Africa and orioles in the US.
Narrow-leaved Bird-of-paradise Strelitzia juncea
This is the most drought tolerant of the bird-of-paradise varieties. It has very thin, almost reed-like leaves and grows in a dense clump, making it a lovely accent plant. The flowers are slightly smaller than those of Strelitzia reginae, but are the same color.
In its native Africa, Strelitzia juncea is only found in six locations along the Eastern Cape, and it is listed as Vulnerable due to quarrying and industrial development, illegal collection for the horticultural trade, and invasive plants. In addition, the number of natural bird pollinators has declined and the plants produce few seeds, further endangering their survival.
How to get a Strelitzia Juncea to flower
FAQ
How do you care for Strelitzia juncea?
Individual flowers last about a week and the spathe holds 5 to 7 flowers and so are showy over a prolonged flowering period. Plant in full sun or part shade and water only occasionally. This plant is hardy for short duration freezes down to 24° F, but flowers and buds may be damaged by freezing temperatures.
Does Bird of Paradise come back every year?
Yes, bird of paradise plants are perennials, meaning they come back every year. Their robust root systems allow them to survive through winter and regenerate new growth in the spring.
Where is the best place to put a Bird of Paradise?
For best results, we recommend putting your Bird of Paradise in a spot where it will receive a few hours of direct sun each day, or in an area with bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Is Bird of Paradise full sun or shade?
Bird of Paradise plants generally prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.