Tropical Bird of Paradise

The Tropical Bird of Paradise, scientifically known as Strelitzia reginae, is an incredibly iconic and exotic evergreen perennial, celebrated worldwide for its stunning, crane-like flowers that vividly resemble a bird in flight. Native to the coastal and riverine regions of South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape, it thrives in warm, subtropical climates with full sun to light shade and well-drained, rich soils. In the landscape of Phoenix, Arizona, it is a very popular and widely planted choice, performing well in the heat and sun, especially with supplemental water and some afternoon shade to protect its foliage during the intense summer. As a long-lived perennial, a Tropical Bird of Paradise can easily persist for many decades, often 20-50 years or more, forming expanding clumps over time.

Its most distinctive characteristic is its clump-forming habit of large, paddle-shaped, banana-like leaves that are a beautiful blue-green to gray-green color, with a leathery texture. These leaves emerge directly from the base of the plant on long petioles, creating a lush, tropical fountain of foliage, typically reaching 3-5 feet in height and width. The true spectacle of the Tropical Bird of Paradise is its extraordinary flowers, which emerge from a boat-shaped, greenish-purple bract (spathe). From late fall through spring and intermittently into summer in warm climates like Phoenix, these striking blooms feature three upright, bright orange sepals and three vivid blue petals, creating an unmistakable resemblance to a crested bird’s head. These unique flowers are highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds and hummingbirds. While it does produce woody seed capsules containing black seeds with a fuzzy orange tuft, its primary ornamental value is its stunning and long-lasting floral display. The Tropical Bird of Paradise is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but looks its best with regular watering. Its exotic appearance, vibrant flowers, and ability to provide a strong tropical accent make it an excellent choice for focal points, mass plantings, borders, and large containers, particularly thriving in the prolonged warm seasons of Phoenix, Arizona, with appropriate care.