Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) Supplier in the Philippines

Strelitzia reginae produces one of the world’s most recognisable flowers: brilliant orange sepals with deep blue petals, emerging from a boat-shaped bract like an exotic bird in flight.

Walk through Rockwell Center’s Power Plant Mall or the Proscenium grounds in Makati and you will see it used as a signature accent. Its architectural form suits the premium minimalist aesthetic, and it delivers year-round drama without demanding constant attention.

We supply it at ₱300 to ₱3,000 per plant, and we confirm the species before delivery, for reasons that are about to become obvious.

See Bird of Paradise in our guides to tropical garden design and pool landscaping.

Most Filipinos Have Never Seen a Real One

This is the thing to know before you order.

When people in the Philippines say “bird of paradise,” they are almost always talking about heliconia: the 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. Heliconia is even sold internationally as “false bird of paradise.” But they are completely different plants, in different families, from different continents:

If you ask at a typical nursery for “bird of paradise,” you will most likely be shown heliconia. True Strelitzia is genuinely uncommon here and commands higher prices, which is exactly why it is associated with premium developments rather than everyday gardens.

The tell is the flower: a single upright crane head means Strelitzia. A row of hanging claws means heliconia. On a young non-flowering plant, check the leaves: Strelitzia’s are stiff and upright; heliconia’s are soft and banana-like.

We confirm the species before delivery. On this plant, more than any other we supply, the substitution is routine.

The Other Bird of Paradise (And It Is the More Toxic One)

Here is a second name collision, and this one actually matters for safety.

Bird of Paradise is toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists Strelitzia reginae (as “Bird of Paradise Flower”) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is GI irritants, and the signs are mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, caused mainly by the fruit and seeds.¹

But the ASPCA carries a second entry, simply called “Bird of Paradise”, and it is a completely different plant: Caesalpinia gilliesii, also sold as Poinciana, Peacock Flower, or Barbados Pride. The ASPCA rates that one as more toxic: possibly hydrocyanic acid, with intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, diarrhoea, and neurological effects.²

The ASPCA’s own pages cross-warn about the mixup, which tells you how common it is.

What this means practically:

• The plant on this page, Strelitzia reginae, is the milder of the two. Toxic, but at the “upset stomach” end.
• If you look up “bird of paradise toxicity” and land on the scarier entry, you may be reading about a plant you do not have.
• Either way, it is not a pet-safe plant. In a pet household, keep it out of reach, or use santan in the reachable spots. The ASPCA lists Ixora coccinea as non-toxic to both dogs and cats.³

Three plants, one common name, two of them toxic to different degrees. This is why we quote botanical names.

Botanical Background

Strelitzia reginae Banks was first described in 1788 and named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, an amateur botanist and the wife of King George III. The species name reginae means “of the queen.”⁴

It belongs to the family Strelitziaceae, in the order Zingiberales, which makes it a relative of gingers and bananas. That is exactly why the foliage looks banana-like.⁴

It is native to South Africa, in the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal, where it grows wild along riverbanks and in coastal bush clearings. That coastal origin is where the salt tolerance comes from.

Why Landscape Architects Choose It

• Architectural form. The stiff, upright leaves create clean vertical lines. Even out of flower, the plant looks designed.
• Reliable flowering. Established clumps throw 5 to 8 spikes a year, and each bloom lasts weeks.
• Contained habit. It stays where you plant it. No runners, no spreading, no annual cutting back.
• Salt tolerance. A genuine advantage on beach-resort projects, where most flowering accents fail.
• Pool-safe. No fruit drop in landscape use, minimal leaf shed, non-aggressive roots.
• It reads as a decision. Uncommon enough in PH that specifying it signals intent rather than default.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: full sun produces the most flowers. It tolerates partial shade but blooms significantly less. Insufficient light is the most common reason a mature plant fails to flower.
• Water: moderate and consistent. Water regularly while establishing, then let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering rots the rhizomes, which is the most common killer of container plants.
• Soil: well-draining loam with high organic matter. Tolerates a wide pH range. Drainage is the non-negotiable.
• Wind: the leaves tear easily in strong wind. Damage is cosmetic but visible on a feature plant, so give it typhoon shelter where you can.
• Space: allow 1-1.5 m per clump for mature spread.
• Patience: allow 2 to 3 years to establish and bloom regularly. Young divisions may not flower in their first year. That is normal, not a fault.

Landscape Uses

• Contemporary accent: single specimens at entries and focal points
• Poolside planting: clean lines, minimal litter, suits modern pool design
• Mass planting: grouped for bold tropical effect
• Container gardens: excellent in large pots for patios and decks
• Coastal gardens: salt tolerance is a real advantage
• Cut-flower production: long-lasting blooms

Size & Pricing Guide

Plant material only. You are buying fans (growing points) and flower stalks, not height:

A division and an established clump are the same plant at different ages. The price difference is the two to three years it takes to reach flowering. If you need blooms this season, buy an established clump; no fertilizer will shortcut it.

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird of Paradise) is a different species and is quoted separately.

Giant Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia nicolai is a different plant entirely, and not a substitute:

If you have the space, the giant makes a dramatic statement. If you do not, it will outgrow the planter and you will be removing it in three years.

Ongoing Care

• Watering: deep watering when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry. Reduce in the wet season and cooler months.
• Fertilizing: balanced slow-release (14-14-14) every 3 months in the growing season. A high-phosphorus formula encourages flowering.
• Pruning: remove yellowed leaves at the base and cut spent flower stalks once the blooms have faded. It holds its form naturally.
• Division: divide crowded clumps every 4 to 5 years in the late wet season. This keeps them vigorous and gives you new plants.
• Pests: mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Treat early with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

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