Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a tropical plant with large, banana-like leaves and bright orange and blue flowers shaped like a bird in flight. In Northeast Florida, it can be grown outdoors in warm months and brought inside or protected during cold snaps. 

• Light: Full sun to partial shade outdoors; bright, indirect light indoors with some direct morning sun
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist during spring and summer; in cooler months, let the top inch of soil dry slightly before watering again
• Pruning: Remove yellowing or brown leaves by cutting at the base of the stem; trim off spent flower stalks to encourage new blooms
• Fertilizer: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer (such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10) every 2–3 months during the growing season