Discover all kinds of plants birds of paradise

Are you looking to make your home feel like an indoor tropical oasis? So you may have heard of birds of paradise plants. Named after real birds because of their unique appearance, these are exotic flowers with bright colors that instantly brighten up any room; No wonder they are popular with gardeners and designers. Keep reading to explore all types of birds of paradise plants and learn how to care for them.

How many species of birds of paradise plants?

Bird of paradise plant is a common name for Strelitzia sex. The genus includes five species of perennial plants, all of which are native to southern Africa. They are large flowering plants that range from 6 feet to 33 feet in height. It produces lavishly colored flowers that resemble birds of paradise with their unusual feathers and colours. Its leaves are large and broad and have long stems arranged in a fan-like crown. Sunbirds, also known as spider hunters, pollinate this species by perching on its leaves and drinking from its surface.

White bird of paradise

White bird of paradise
Strelitzia alba is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

© David Gelda / Shutterstock.com

white bird of paradise (Strelitzia alba), also known as the white-flowered wild banana, is one of the rarest plants of paradise. This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Specifically, it grows along the Garden Route in the southeast coastal areas.

This plant is an evergreen perennial that can grow up to 32 feet tall. The leaf blades are green, smooth, elongated, and shiny. And the flowers are completely white, blooming at any time of the year. However, flowering usually occurs between July and December. The woody capsule fruits ripen from October through February.

Strelitzia Mountain

Strelitzia Caudata / Strelitzia Mountains
Strelitzia caudata grows in clumps among rocks on steep slopes.

© CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

mountain progeny (Strelitzia caudata) It is another banana-like species from Africa. It extends north as far as the Chimanimani Mountains in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, turning south into South Africa and Eswatini. They grow among rocks in dense groups, usually on steep slopes in high altitude forests. Mount strelitzia can reach 26 feet in height and is famous for its separate appendage. It features a woody stem with a fan-shaped crown and grey-green leaves. Its black seeds display bright orange hairs.

Giant bird of paradise

Bird of paradise vs banana plant
Giant paradise plants can reach over 30 feet tall and feature leaves that reach six feet in length.

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giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia Nikolai) It is one of the largest birds of paradise plants. Like the previous species, it is a banana-like plant with long woody stems and long leaves arranged in a fan. This plant can reach over 30 feet in height, and its grey-green leaves are about six feet long. The flowers are white and reddish-orange. They contain the pigment bilirubin, which is normally found only in animals. The giant bird of paradise is native to South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This species is a common indoor and outdoor plant in parts of the southern United States and Mexico. It grows well in Texas, Louisiana, and Southern California. In its natural habitat, it is confined to evergreen coastal forests and woodlands.

Crane flower

Strelitzia reginae, popularly known as the bird of paradise, is a herbaceous species native to southern Africa.  It is grown as an ornamental plant because of the odd shape of its flower
Strelitzia reginae, commonly known as the bird of paradise, is a herbaceous species native to southern Africa

© iStock.com / Arlette Lopez

crane flower (Queen of Strelitzia) It is an evergreen perennial native to South Africa. It does not grow as tall as other species, averaging six feet in height. The leaves are also arranged in fan-shaped crowns, with the flowers standing atop the tall stems. The flower sepals are bright orange, dark blue-purple. It is a popular houseplant for its dramatic and exotic-looking flowers, especially in the Americas and Australia. It is grown in California and Florida and does well as a houseplant in some temperate regions.

African desert banana

Strelitzia juncea

© SaskiaAcht / Shutterstock.com

African desert banana (Strelitzia juncea) It is native to South Africa and is characterized by narrow leaves. It is a drought tolerant plant and is the most frost tolerant species in the Strelitzia genus. It is a popular houseplant but is listed as endangered due to illegal gardening removal.

When do birds of paradise plants bloom?

Birds of paradise plants are desirable because they can bloom year-round if they are ripe. However, most of them bloom from fall to spring. Young plants may not flower until late winter.

How to take care of birds of paradise

Birds of paradise plants need a moist environment. Here are some tips to help you take care of these unique plants.

  • Add a pebble tray to the pot
  • Place the humidifier near the plant when you are indoors
  • Keep the temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy. And let it dry out a bit between watering.
  • Fertilize the plant once a month during the spring and summer
  • Give it plenty of sun, at least six full hours a day

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