Light. Grows in sun to partial shade. In part shade plants grow taller with larger flowers; in full sun they stay shorter. Dense shade cuts flowering.
Water. Keep new plants moist for the first six months. Then water often in warm months and in winter only when the soil is fairly dry.
Soil and feeding. Fertile, organic soil with good drainage is best. Feed with a granular or controlled-release fertilizer such as Bloom Special about every three months in the growing season.
Size. Grows slowly to about 5 ft tall and 2–4 ft wide, forming clumps.
Pruning. Remove dead leaves and spent flower stalks. Plants bloom more when crowded, so divide clumps only when needed.
Problems to watch. Scale is the main pest; treat with Insecticidal Soap. Keep mulch 2–3 in from the stems to prevent stem rot.
Good to know. It tolerates light salt spray but not exposed oceanfront sites.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS ENH79: Bird-of-Paradise · UF/IFAS EDIS FPS-563: Strelitzia reginae, Bird of Paradise · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Bird of Paradise
