A fan with a clean line
Long petioles rise from the rhizome in two opposing ranks, organising the leaves into a distinct, almost graphic plane.
14
Strelitzia reginae 13cm
Normal price
€13,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Strelitzia reginae
- Sculptural fan
- Orange and blue flowers
- Evergreen tropical foliage
- For a movable container
Strelitzia reginae combines broad grey-green leaf blades with flowers that resemble an exotic bird about to take flight. On mature plants, vivid orange and blue floral parts rise from a pointed horizontal spathe, creating one of the garden’s most recognisable silhouettes. Even before flowering age, its upright leaf stalks and open fans of foliage bring a strong architectural line and the inviting atmosphere of a small tropical landscape.
Beside finer foliage, its upright fan stands out even before the plant reaches flowering age. A bright sheltered courtyard shows off the shape, provided there is room for the clump to develop over the years.
What makes it special
Three distinct qualities explain why this species remains one of the most recognisable architectural plants.
A signature flower
The horizontal spathe releases successive blooms with three orange outer tepals and vivid blue inner tepals.
Presence beyond flowering
Grey-green foliage preserves the architectural effect for far longer than the flowering season alone.
Why you will love it: It lets you watch an iconic fan being built, one fresh leaf at a time.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A clean fan in a bright sheltered composition with three compatible companions.
Ideal position
Place it on a bright plant table or low plinth in front of taller foliage, keeping the base and its youthful geometry visible.
Compatible combinations
Work with green, blue, silver or deep burgundy and keep each companion in its own pot. This allows each plant’s watering to be adjusted while the whole composition remains bright and freely drained.
- Pelargonium sidoides — low silver-green foliage and deep burgundy flowers add contrast without competing with the young fan
- Helichrysum italicum — fine silver foliage brightens a sunny composition in its own pot, with a still more restrained watering regime
- Dianella tasmanica ‘Wyeena’ — narrow grey-green stripes form a calm lower layer and suit the same bright, sheltered setting
Care at a glance
Light
A very bright position, with gentle direct sun only after gradual acclimatisation.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top 3–4cm has dried; never leave the pot standing in water.
Climate & hardiness
Tropical and frost tender; move to bright shelter before nights approach 10°C.
Safety
Ingestion, especially of flowers or seeds, may irritate digestion; keep away from children and pets.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, rootball, drainage, feeding, cleaning and safe winter movement.
Gradual exposure
In spring, increase direct sun little by little over 7–10 days. An abrupt move from indoors into strong midday light can mark the blades.
Check before watering
Insert a finger or wooden skewer into the top 3–4cm. Water only when this zone has dried and let all surplus drain away.
Pot & growing mix
Use a stable pot with free drainage holes and a rich but aerated mix. Repot one size at a time only when the rootball has genuinely filled the available space.
Feeding during growth
From spring to late summer, apply a balanced fertiliser at the label rate only while the plant is actively producing fresh leaves.
Leaf cleaning
Wipe dust gently with a soft damp cloth and remove only fully dead leaves by cutting the complete petiole low down.
Overwintering
Before cold weather, inspect the foliage for pests and move the pot to a very bright frost-free place. As growth slows, allow the mix to dry further between waterings.
Development over timeFrom a single fan to a flowering rhizomatous clumpFresh fans, a denser base and flowering only after the plant reaches sufficient maturity.
Early establishment
The rhizome gathers energy while the centre of the fan produces successive fresh leaves.
Clump formation
Lateral growing points create additional fans, gradually increasing spread and density.
Flowering maturity
On a mature clump grown steadily in strong light, flower stems emerge among the leaves.
Mature habit & dimensions
Long-term growthHeight 1.2–1.8 mSpread 0.8–1.5 m
Upright petioles, broad blades and more than one fan.
Form through time
In flowerMature clump with horizontal spathes.
Between bloomsThe leafy fans remain.
Seasonal timing varies with climate and the age of the plant.
What to expect after planting: During the first period it invests mainly in the rootball and fresh leaves. Flowering depends on overall age, abundant light and consistent cultivation rather than on any single feature of a young fan.
History & origin Species history & origin From South African flora to Kew and royal naming in the eighteenth century.
The natural story of Strelitzia reginae begins in South Africa, from the southern and eastern Cape Provinces to KwaZulu-Natal. There it grows as a rhizomatous clump, and its unusual inflorescences evolved in close association with bird pollinators.
In 1773 Scottish collector Francis Masson introduced it to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Sir Joseph Banks named the genus Strelitzia for Queen Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, while reginae reinforced the royal dedication. The name was published in 1788, and Franz Bauer’s later detailed illustrations helped establish the plant within European botanical and horticultural tradition.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Leaves in two ranks
Each shoot produces leaves in two opposing ranks rather than a circular rosette. This distichous arrangement creates a flat fan. In an older clump, several such fans arise from different points on the rhizomatous base.
One spathe, successive flowers
The horizontal boat-shaped spathe holds several flowers that emerge in succession. Each has three orange sepals and three differently shaped blue petals. The familiar ‘bird’ is therefore a combination of a protective bract and flowers, rather than one simple corolla.
Frequently asked questions
Six useful answers on light, watering, flowering, natural leaf splits and winter protection.
01When will it need its first repot?
Wait until roots have filled the pot, appear through the drainage holes or the mix begins drying unusually fast. Then move it up by one pot size only, keeping the rootball intact.
02Can it stay outdoors all year?
Only in a frost-free position. In most European climates it can enjoy the warm season outdoors but needs a very bright sheltered place before nights approach 10°C.
03How much light supports dense growth and flowering?
Provide abundant light and, after gradual acclimatisation, gentle direct sun. Low light stretches the petioles and greatly reduces the chance of flowering on a mature clump.
04How can I tell when it needs water?
Check the top 3–4cm of mix. Once this layer has dried, water slowly until the whole rootball is wet and let all surplus drain completely through the holes.
05When might the orange and blue flowers appear?
Flowering occurs only on a mature rhizomatous clump grown for years with strong light and consistent care. No young plant can carry a reliable flowering timetable.
06Why do the leaf edges split naturally?
Broad blades can open along their parallel veins while unfurling or moving in air. This is a natural mechanical response; shelter the pot from strong gusts and do not trim healthy green foliage.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.