Botanical name: Strelitzia reginae • Family: Strelitziaceae
Native to: South Africa • Bloom: Fall to spring • Symbolizes: Freedom, joy & paradise
Few flowers look as extraordinary as the bird of paradise, whose vivid orange-and-blue bloom really does resemble a tropical bird in flight. A symbol of freedom and joy, it’s both a dramatic cut flower and a popular architectural houseplant. Here’s the bird of paradise’s meaning and how to grow it.
About the bird of paradise
The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is native to South Africa and named for its uncanny resemblance to a brightly colored crane or bird of paradise. Its flower emerges from a horizontal, beak-like sheath, sending up spiky orange sepals and vivid blue petals in succession.
An evergreen, clump-forming plant with large, paddle-shaped leaves, it brings an instant tropical feel to gardens and interiors. In the wild it’s pollinated by sunbirds that perch on the bloom.
Bird of paradise meaning and symbolism
The bird of paradise symbolizes freedom, joy and paradise, as well as faithfulness, magnificence and a sense of anticipation or excitement. Its soaring, bird-like form naturally suggests flight, optimism and new horizons.
It’s often given to celebrate a joyful milestone, wish someone freedom and adventure, or mark a ninth wedding anniversary, for which it’s a traditional flower.
Bird of paradise colors and varieties
The classic orange-and-blue Strelitzia reginae is the most familiar, but there’s also the giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), a tree-sized plant with dramatic white-and-blue flowers, and rarer forms like the golden “Mandela’s Gold.”
As a houseplant, Strelitzia reginae is grown for both its bold foliage and, in time, its spectacular blooms.
How to grow and care for bird of paradise plants
Bird of paradise loves bright light — full sun outdoors in frost-free climates, or the brightest spot you have indoors. Give it rich, well-drained soil, warmth, and regular water in the growing season, easing off in winter.
It’s hardy only in warm regions (roughly USDA zones 10–12), so elsewhere it’s grown as a container plant brought inside for winter. Be patient: plants often take several years to reach blooming size, and they flower best when slightly pot-bound and well fed.
Bird of paradise in bouquets and gifts
As a cut flower, the bird of paradise is the ultimate statement stem for tropical and exotic arrangements, lasting one to two weeks in the vase. As a houseplant, its huge, glossy leaves make it one of the most popular architectural indoor plants even before it blooms.
Fun facts about the bird of paradise
In the wild, the bird of paradise is pollinated by sunbirds that land on the flower’s beak-like perch; their weight opens the bloom and dusts them with pollen. Its botanical name, Strelitzia, honors Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
The bird of paradise is the official flower of the city of Los Angeles, where its bold, tropical form is a familiar sight. As a houseplant, it’s often grown for years for its dramatic leaves before it ever blooms.
Bird of paradise quick care tips
- Give it the brightest light possible — full sun outdoors
- Use rich, well-drained soil and keep it warm
- Water regularly in summer, less in winter
- Be patient: plants can take years to reach blooming size
- Blooms best when slightly pot-bound and well fed
- Hardy only in warm climates (zones 10–12); move pots indoors for winter
When to give bird of paradise
Symbolizing freedom, joy and paradise, the bird of paradise is a wonderful gift to celebrate adventure, new horizons or a joyful milestone. It’s also the traditional flower for a ninth wedding anniversary.
Bird of paradise FAQs
What does a bird of paradise flower symbolize?
The bird of paradise symbolizes freedom, joy and paradise, along with faithfulness, magnificence and anticipation. Its soaring, bird-like shape suggests flight and optimism, and it’s the traditional flower for a ninth wedding anniversary.
Is the bird of paradise a real bird or a flower?
“Bird of paradise” is the name of both a group of tropical birds and this flower. The plant (Strelitzia reginae) earned the name because its vivid orange-and-blue bloom looks strikingly like a colorful bird in flight.
How do you get a bird of paradise to bloom?
Give it lots of bright light, warmth, rich soil and regular feeding, and be patient — plants often take three to five years to reach blooming size. They tend to flower best when slightly pot-bound and mature, so avoid over-potting.
Can you grow bird of paradise indoors?
Yes. Bird of paradise is a popular houseplant grown for its large, paddle-shaped leaves. Give it the brightest spot you have, warmth and steady watering in summer; with maturity and enough light, it can even bloom indoors.
Is bird of paradise hardy?
Bird of paradise is a tropical plant hardy only in warm climates, roughly USDA zones 10–12. In colder regions it’s grown in containers that are moved indoors before frost.
How long do bird of paradise cut flowers last?
Cut bird of paradise flowers are long-lasting, typically staying fresh for one to two weeks. Each sheath produces several blooms in succession, and gently coaxing out the next flower can extend the display.
See the national flower of South Africa, browse orange flowers, and see the full flower encyclopedia.