Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

  • Striking bloom
  • Clumping perennial

Safety

Hazardous parts
fruit and seeds -- GI irritant
Preparation
not applicable -- this plant is not a food crop
Hazard type
mild GI irritation
Hazard route
ingestion, mainly of fruit and seeds
How complete this information is
full

Look-alike warning
Could be mistaken for Caesalpinia/Poinciana gilliesii, also called 'Bird of Paradise,' a more toxic, unrelated shrub -- ASPCA's own page for this species explicitly warns against the mix-up. To tell them apart: Caesalpinia gilliesii is a shrub with yellow flowers and long red stamens; this species is a banana-family ornamental with a very different look. (This catalog does not yet carry a separate Caesalpinia gilliesii entry.). The two share a common name but are unrelated and differently toxic; ASPCA itself calls out the confusion risk on its page for this species.
Toxic to pets
Toxic to pets

Mild GI irritant -- clinical signs are mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, caused mainly by the fruit and seeds rather than the foliage or flowers. ASPCA independently notes the same mild-severity profile applies to humans.

Patent / trademark
not applicable

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Quick facts

Hardiness zones

10a-12b (tropical/frost-sensitive).

Water needs

water freely during the growing season; keep drier in winter

Mature size

3-4 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide; clumping, multi-stemmed perennial, medium growth rate.

Full field manual in the app

Step-by-step care

The numbered steps for caring for this plant, where we have them.

Why each step works

The reasons behind the steps, where we have them.

Problems and fixes

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

Soil, feeding and pruning

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon

Sources

  1. GBIF Species Match API, Strelitzia reginae
  2. ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, Bird of Paradise Flower
  3. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Strelitzia reginae

How we choose sources