Strelitzia reginae - bird of paradise (Pot 18 cm)

Strelitzia reginae is a perennial herbaceous plant with a bushy, acaule shape, with large fleshy fasciculate roots, which, if grown outdoors, develop in the ground up to a meter deep. The leaves are large, oval, elliptical, equipped with a very marked midrib, 15-20 cm wide and up to 50 cm long, leathery, covered by bloom on the lower side with wavy margins. Petioles 100-150 cm long. The inflorescences, borne on long stems, longer than the leaves, are made up of 5-8 flowers. These have a very particular shape that resembles an orange, yellow and intense blue heron beak. The fruit is a trilocular capsule in which the rounded, black seeds with an orange feathery tuft are formed. Strelitzia are very long-lived plants and if planted in the ground they form very large tufts. There are reports of Strelitzia over 100 years old.

Pedoclimatic needs

Strelitzia is an easy-to-grow plant, adapting even to non-optimal environmental conditions. Grow in fertile soil, without waterlogging, in the sun or partial shade. This species is not rustic and does not resist cold and frost; cultivation temperatures must not fall below 3-/5°C. It can only be grown outdoors in regions with a mild climate (citrus climate). Due to the beauty of its foliage and incredible flowers, Strelitzia is much appreciated in parks and gardens. It can also be grown in large pots.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae

Family: Strelitziaceae