Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) produces one of the world’s most recognizable flowers — brilliant orange sepals with deep blue petals that look like an exotic bird in flight. Walk through Rockwell Center’s Power Plant Mall or the Proscenium grounds in Makati and you’ll see this plant used as a signature accent, its architectural form perfectly suited to Rockwell’s minimalist aesthetic.

There’s a reason landscape architects keep coming back to this South African native: it delivers year-round tropical drama without demanding constant attention.

Botanical Background

Strelitzia reginae Banks was first described in 1788 and named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, an amateur botanist and wife of King George III.¹ The species name reginae means “of the queen.”

The plant belongs to the family Strelitziaceae, which places it in the order Zingiberales — making it a relative of gingers and bananas, which explains the banana-like foliage.¹

Native to South Africa’s Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal, Bird of Paradise grows wild along riverbanks and in coastal bush clearings where temperatures are mild and rainfall is distributed year-round.

Key Identifying Features

Form: Clumping perennial growing from underground rhizomes
Height: 90-120cm (3-4 feet) at maturity
Spread: 90-120cm (3-4 feet) per clump
Leaves: Large, gray-green, paddle-shaped, similar to banana leaves but smaller and more upright
Flowers: Three brilliant orange sepals, three bright blue petals, emerging from a boat-shaped green bract (spathe)
Bloom season: Year-round in tropical climates, peak in cooler months

Where You’ll See It in the Philippines

Bird of Paradise has become a staple of contemporary, high-end landscape design:

Rockwell Center, Makati

Power Plant Mall grounds — used as accent plantings
Proscenium towers — integrated into premium residential landscaping
Part of Rockwell Land’s signature “premium minimalist” aesthetic

Bonifacio Global City

Modern commercial plaza entries
Mixed with Heliconias and tropical gingers

Premium Residential

High-end condo lobbies and pool areas
Contemporary homes in Alabang, Forbes Park, Ayala Alabang

The plant signals “upscale tropical” — not the lush, overgrown resort look, but something more curated and architectural. You won’t find it in traditional gardens, but wherever developers are going for a sleek, modern landscape.

A Note on Local Naming

Here’s something worth knowing: most Filipinos have never seen a true Bird of Paradise. When locals say “Bird of Paradise,” they’re almost always referring to Heliconia — those tall, dramatic plants with hanging red or orange bracts that you see everywhere from resort gardens to roadside plantings.

The confusion is understandable. Both have exotic, bird-like flowers. Both are tropical. But they’re completely different plants:

Feature	True Bird of Paradise	Heliconia
Scientific name	Strelitzia reginae	Heliconia spp.
Origin	South Africa	Tropical Americas
Height	1-1.5m	1-6m depending on species
Flower form	Upright, orange/blue	Hanging or upright, red/orange/yellow
Availability	Uncommon, premium	Very common

If you ask at a typical nursery for “Bird of Paradise,” you’ll likely be shown Heliconia. True Strelitzia is less common in the Philippines and commands higher prices — which is partly why it’s associated with premium developments rather than everyday gardens.

Why Landscape Architects Choose It

Architectural Form — The stiff, upright leaves create clean vertical lines. Even without flowers, the plant looks designed.

Reliable Flowering — In Philippine conditions, expect blooms throughout the year. Each flower lasts weeks, and established clumps produce multiple stalks.²

Low Maintenance — Once established, requires minimal input. No constant pruning, shaping, or fussing.

Scale Versatility — Works as a single accent specimen or massed for tropical drama. The contained growth habit means it stays where you plant it.

Salt Tolerance — Handles coastal conditions, making it practical for beach resort projects.

Landscape Uses

Contemporary accent — Single specimens at entries or focal points
Poolside planting — Clean lines suit modern pool design; minimal leaf litter
Mass planting — Grouped for bold tropical effect
Container gardens — Excellent in large pots for patios and decks
Cut flower production — Long-lasting blooms for arrangements
Coastal gardens — Salt tolerance is a genuine advantage

Growing Requirements

Light

Full sun produces the most flowers. Bird of Paradise tolerates partial shade (2-6 hours sun) but blooms significantly less. Insufficient light is the most common reason mature plants fail to flower.²

Water

Moderate and consistent. Water regularly during establishment, then allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce frequency during cooler months. Overwatering leads to root rot — the most common killer of container-grown plants.

Soil

Well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter is ideal. Tolerates a wide pH range from acidic to slightly alkaline.² The key is drainage — standing water will rot the rhizomes.

Temperature

Thrives in typical Philippine lowland conditions. Native to subtropical South Africa, so handles our climate well. Not suitable for highlands above 1,500m where temperatures drop significantly.

Space

Allow 1-1.5 meters per clump for mature spread. Plants grow slowly but eventually form substantial clumps if not divided.

Size & Pricing Guide

We supply Bird of Paradise in various sizes:

Grade	Description	Typical Price
Division	1-2 fans, starter	₱300 - ₱500
Small Clump	3-4 fans	₱500 - ₱800
Established	5-6+ fans, flowering	₱800 - ₱1,500
Specimen	Large clump with blooms	₱1,500 - ₱3,000+

Pricing varies based on:

Number of fans (growing points)
Presence of flower stalks
Root establishment quality
Current availability

Planting & Establishment

Site Selection

Choose a spot with:

6+ hours direct sun for best flowering
Good drainage (no standing water)
Protection from strong typhoon winds (leaves tear easily)
Enough space for mature spread

Planting

Dig hole 2x width of root ball, same depth
Mix compost into backfill for heavy clay soils
Position so root crown is at or slightly above soil level
Backfill and water deeply
Mulch around base, keeping mulch away from crown

Establishment Period

Allow 2-3 years for plants to establish fully and bloom regularly. Young divisions may not flower in their first year — this is normal.

Ongoing Care

Watering: Deep watering when top 2-3cm of soil is dry. Reduce in wet season and cooler months.

Fertilizing: Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer (14-14-14) every 3 months during growing season. High phosphorus formula encourages flowering.

Pruning: Remove yellowed leaves at the base. Cut spent flower stalks after all flowers have opened and faded. Minimal shaping needed — the plant maintains its form naturally.

Division: Divide crowded clumps every 4-5 years in late wet season. This maintains vigor and provides new plants.

Common Problems

Pests

Mealybugs: White cottony masses at leaf bases. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Scale insects: Brown bumps on leaves and stems. Scrape off or use horticultural oil.
Spider mites: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves. Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide if severe.

Diseases

Root rot: From overwatering or poor drainage. Improve drainage; reduce watering; remove affected parts.
Leaf spot: Yellow or brown spots, usually from fungal infection. Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation.

Environmental Issues

No flowers: Usually insufficient light. Move to sunnier location.
Torn leaves: Wind damage — primarily cosmetic. Provide wind protection if severe.
Leggy growth: Too much shade. Move to brighter location.

Toxicity Note

Bird of Paradise is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested.² The gastrointestinal irritants cause nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Keep away from pets that chew plants.

Giant Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia nicolai (White or Giant Bird of Paradise) is a different species entirely:

Feature	S. reginae	S. nicolai
Height	1-1.5m	5-8m
Flowers	Orange/blue	White/blue
Form	Clumping	Tree-like
Space needed	1.5m	4-6m

If you have the space, Giant Bird of Paradise makes a dramatic statement. If not, stick with the standard species.

Sources

Interested in Bird of Paradise for your landscape? Contact us to discuss sizes, availability, and delivery.

Plants of the World Online (POWO), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Strelitzia reginae Banks.” Accessed 2025. https://powo.science.kew.org/ ↩ ↩²
North Carolina State University Extension. “Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise).” NC State Extension Plant Toolbox. Accessed 2025. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/strelitzia-reginae/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴