Bird of paradise
Strelitzia reginae (Strelitziaceae)
Also called Crane Flower, Bird's Tongue Flower.
Cats and dogs
Toxic to cats and dogs
What makes it toxic: GI irritants.
Signs to watch for: Mild nausea, vomiting, drowsiness; caused mainly by fruit and seeds
Source: ASPCA entry "Bird of Paradise Flower", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Copes
- Direct sun 12+ mol Best
Needs a sunny spot indoors: Clemson says it prefers full sun but will tolerate the lower light of a south-facing window, and Wisconsin says it needs nearly full sun in summer and as much light as possible in winter to bloom.
Direct sun: needs several hours a day.
On our scale it grows well from about 12 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 2.2 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Moderate. Water: Soak the potting mix thoroughly, then let it dry somewhat before watering again; water less in the darker winter months.
Insufficient light is one of the most common reasons mature plants fail to bloom (Wisconsin).
Pet-safe plants for similar light
- Burro's tail direct sun
- Echeveria (hens and chickens) direct sun
- Ponytail palm direct sun
- Venus flytrap direct sun
- Areca palm bright indirect light
- Basil direct sun
Sources
- Toxicity: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Bird of Paradise Flower"
- Light and care: Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC, "Bird of Paradise"
- Light and care: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture), "Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae"
- Light and care: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, "Strelitzia reginae"