Two different plants are sold as “bird of paradise”, and they grow into very different houseplants. Strelitzia reginae is the orange bird of paradise, a clump that stays around head height. Strelitzia nicolai is the white or giant bird of paradise, a tree-like plant that NC State says reaches 6–9 m (20–30 ft) in its native habitat.

Young plants look alike in a nursery pot. Here is how to tell them apart, and what each needs indoors. For the full care routine, see our bird of paradise care guide.

Side-by-side comparison

FeatureStrelitzia reginaeStrelitzia nicolai
Common namesBird of paradise, crane flower (NC State)White, giant bird of paradise; Natal wild banana (NC State)
Native range (NC State)Cape Provinces to KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaEastern Zimbabwe to KwaZulu-Natal and eastern Botswana
FlowersOrange sepals, blue petals (NC State)White and blue tepals, purplish-black bract (NC State)
HabitTrunkless clump from underground rhizomes (NC State, Clemson)Upright, clumping woody stems up to 46 cm (1.5 ft) wide (NC State)
Leaf blade (Clemson)About 15 cm (6 in) wide and 46 cm (18 in) long46–61 cm (18–24 in) wide and 0.9–1.2 m (3–4 ft) long
Mature size91 cm–1.2 m (3–4 ft) (NC State); 1–1.5 m in a pot (RHS)6–9 m (20–30 ft) tall, 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) wide, native habitat (NC State)
Light listed (NC State)Full sun to partial shadePartial shade; bright, indirect light
HumidityModerate, around 60 percent (Clemson)High (NC State)
PetsToxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA)Problem for cats, dogs and horses (NC State)

How to tell them apart

In flower, it is easy. NC State describes S. reginae flowers as three brilliant orange sepals and three bright blue petals. S. nicolai flowers have white and blue tepals and a purplish-black, boat-shaped bract. NC State says they look like a bird’s head with a white crest and a dark blue beak.

Without flowers, look at the leaves and the base.

  • Leaf size and shape. Clemson gives S. reginae leaves as about 15 cm (6 in) wide and 46 cm (18 in) long. UF/IFAS describes them as oblong, blue-green and held on long, stiff leafstalks. S. nicolai leaves are far broader. Clemson gives 46–61 cm (18–24 in) wide, and NC State says they can reach 2 m (6.5 ft) long and resemble banana leaves.
  • Trunk. Clemson calls S. reginae trunkless; its leaves rise from underground rhizomes (NC State). On S. nicolai, Clemson says the leaves sit on a trunk in a fan pattern, and the trunk shows leaf scars.

Watch the labels. NC State uses “white bird of paradise” for S. nicolai. Clemson uses “white” for a third species, Strelitzia alba, and “giant” for S. nicolai. Keep the botanical name from the nursery tag.

Size: the deciding factor indoors

S. reginae fits most homes. NC State gives 91 cm–1.2 m (3–4 ft) tall and wide. UF/IFAS gives 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) tall with a 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft) spread. The RHS gives 1–1.5 m in a pot.

S. nicolai is a tree in the wild. The heights NC State and UF/IFAS give, 6–9 m (20–30 ft), are for plants in the ground in warm climates. The sources we read give no indoor height. In a pot it will still carry leaves up to 2 m (6.5 ft) long, so plan for width as well as height. Our large indoor plants guide compares floor plants by light and space.

Light and temperature

S. reginae wants sun. NC State says to grow it in a well-lit, sunny spot. Clemson prefers full sun, or at least a south-facing window. The RHS advises full light with shade from hot sun under glass.

For S. nicolai, NC State lists bright, indirect light. It prefers 18–29 °C (65–85 °F) and will not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F). Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes (NC State).

For S. reginae, Clemson gives 18–21 °C (65–70 °F) by day and 10–13 °C (50–55 °F) at night. NC State gives night temperatures of 13–18 °C (55–65 °F).

Flowering indoors

If flowers are the reason you are buying, choose S. reginae. NC State says it blooms intermittently through the year. The RHS says plants may take years to flower, and need adequate light and feed. Clemson says divisions flower in two to three years, and seedlings take four to ten years or more.

NC State says S. nicolai flowers year round where it grows outdoors, and UF/IFAS notes the flowers appear within the canopy. The sources we read give no indoor flowering timeline for it. Buy it for the foliage. If an orange plant will not bloom, work through our not blooming checklist.

Watering and humidity

S. reginae. NC State says to water freely in spring and summer and keep it drier in winter. Clemson says to wet the mix thoroughly, then let it dry slightly before watering again. The RHS says to water sparingly in winter.

S. nicolai. NC State says to water when the top layer of soil feels dry, and that it becomes more drought tolerant once established. It prefers high humidity; NC State suggests a tray of wet pebbles or a humidifier.

Overwatering harms both. If the mix stays wet and leaves yellow, see bird of paradise overwatering and root rot treatment.

Split leaves are normal

Torn leaves look alarming, but they are expected on S. nicolai. NC State says its leaves are easily ripped or torn by wind. UF/IFAS says the foliage can shred in the wind. NC State advises removing ripped or torn leaves.

A clean tear along the veins on a firm, green leaf is physical damage. Yellowing, brown patches or rolled edges are different symptoms; see curling leaves, yellow leaves and brown spots.

Pet safety

Neither species is pet-safe.

  • S. reginae. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxins are gastrointestinal irritants, causing mild nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, mainly from the fruit and seeds. The ASPCA also warns not to confuse it with Caesalpinia gilliesii, another “bird of paradise” that is more toxic.
  • S. nicolai. We found no separate ASPCA entry. NC State lists it as a problem for cats, dogs, horses and children. It says pets that eat any part may show nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, and that contact can irritate skin.

See our pet-safe plants guide for alternatives.

Which should you choose?

  • Sunny room, limited height, you want flowers: S. reginae.
  • Tall, bright room and you want big tropical leaves: S. nicolai.
  • Room that drops below 10 °C (50 °F) in winter: not S. nicolai, which NC State says will not tolerate it.
  • Pets that chew leaves: neither.

Both plants are covered on our bird of paradise hub.

References