Bird of paradise is one of the most dramatic flowering plants grown in tropical and subtropical gardens, named for blooms that closely resemble the head and crest of an exotic bird in flight. The name is actually shared by two entirely unrelated plant groups, one a small genus of just 5 species native to South Africa, and the other a much larger group of more than 70 species from a completely different plant family found primarily in warm, arid regions. Despite their shared common name and similarly striking flowers, these two groups have almost nothing in common botanically and require very different growing conditions.
The South African group is best known for its classic orange and blue blooms, which emerge from a boat-shaped, beak-like bract and can take several years to appear on a young plant grown from seed. These plants can live remarkably long lives, with some specimens surviving anywhere from 50 to 150 years depending on species and care. The largest species in this group can reach up to 30 feet tall in its native habitat, while the smaller, more common landscape and houseplant types typically stay under 6 feet. Interestingly, this group is believed to be the only plant genus in the world pollinated by the weight of a bird’s feet rather than by wind or insects, since sunbirds landing on the flower’s crest trigger the release of pollen.
The desert-adapted group, by contrast, produces smaller, more delicate blooms with long, prominent stamens that give the flowers an airy, fireworks-like appearance. These plants are legumes, related more closely to peas and other pod-forming species, and they thrive in dry, sunny conditions that would be inhospitable to their South African namesakes. Most varieties in this group stay under 15 feet tall, though a few exceptional specimens have been recorded reaching heights of 30 feet in ideal desert climates. Both groups attract pollinators readily, with hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies drawn to their vivid coloring.
Hardiness for both types of bird of paradise is generally limited to USDA zones 9 through 12, meaning most gardeners in cooler climates grow them as container plants that spend summers outdoors and winters indoors near a bright window. All varieties are considered toxic if ingested by humans and pets, so placement should take that into account in households with children or animals. With proper care, bird of paradise plants remain a long-lasting, low-maintenance way to bring dramatic tropical or desert flair to a garden or home. Below are 15 different types of bird of paradise, spanning both plant groups that share the name.
Types Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise, sometimes called the standard or orange type, is the most widely recognized and commonly grown variety in the entire group, producing vivid orange petals paired with a deep blue tongue that together resemble a crane’s head in profile. This variety typically reaches 3 to 6 feet tall with leathery, blue-green, spear-shaped leaves. Bird of Paradise blooms mainly in late winter and spring, and mature plants often flower more reliably when their roots are somewhat pot-bound.
Giant White Bird of Paradise
Giant White Bird of Paradise is the largest species in its group, capable of reaching up to 30 feet tall in favorable growing conditions, though it typically stays smaller when grown in containers. This variety produces stately white and blue flowers up to 12 inches long, with broad, banana-like leaves that can grow 2 meters in length. Giant White Bird of Paradise does not usually bloom until the plant reaches full maturity, which can take several years.
White Bird of Paradise
White Bird of Paradise, also known as Cape wild banana in reference to its native coastal origin, is considered the rarest of the larger tree-like types in general cultivation. This variety produces large white flowers with a distinctive black beak-like spathe, blooming at almost any time of year but most commonly between July and December. White Bird of Paradise forms a dense clump of long-stalked, gray-green leaves that add architectural interest even between flowering periods.
Narrow-Leaved Bird of Paradise
Narrow-Leaved Bird of Paradise, also called rush bird of paradise for its reed-like foliage, looks similar to the standard orange type but has cylindrical, leafless leaf stalks rather than broad blades. This variety produces orange and blue flowers that are slightly smaller than the classic type, on plants reaching 3 to 6 feet tall. Narrow-Leaved Bird of Paradise is more cold-hardy than many other varieties and was only formally reclassified as its own distinct type in 1974 following genetic research.
Mountain Strelitzia
Mountain Strelitzia is a lesser-known variety that closely resembles the larger white and giant types but remains considerably shorter, typically reaching only about 6 and a half feet tall. This variety produces black-beaked, white-tufted flowers similar in structure to its taller relatives. Mountain Strelitzia is rarely available commercially, making it a specialty find for dedicated collectors.
Mandela’s Gold Bird of Paradise
Mandela’s Gold Bird of Paradise is a specially bred cultivar of the standard orange type, developed after years of natural selection to replace the classic orange coloring with a rich, sumptuous golden yellow. This variety retains the same deep blue tongue and crane-like flower shape as its orange parent. Mandela’s Gold has become a popular alternative for gardeners wanting a less common color within an otherwise classic bird of paradise form.
Kew’s Bird of Paradise
Kew’s Bird of Paradise is an artificial hybrid created by crossing 2 distinct species within its group, first cultivated and flowered in England in 1909. This variety produced unique pale yellow flowers unlike either of its parent plants. Kew’s Bird of Paradise has since disappeared from general cultivation and is considered essentially unobtainable today, existing now mainly as a historical footnote in the group’s breeding history.
Dwarf Bird of Paradise
Dwarf Bird of Paradise is a compact cultivar of the standard orange type, bred to stay noticeably shorter than the typical 3 to 6 foot height of its parent plant. This variety retains the same vivid orange and blue flower coloring in a more manageable, space-saving form. Dwarf Bird of Paradise is a popular choice for smaller gardens, borders, and container plantings where the larger standard type would be impractical.
Pygmy Bird of Paradise
Pygmy Bird of Paradise is an even more diminutive form of the standard orange type, bred specifically for its notably reduced overall size compared to both the standard and dwarf varieties. This variety produces the same classic crane-like bloom shape and coloring on a scaled-down plant well suited to small pots. Pygmy Bird of Paradise remains a specialty selection sought after by collectors focused on compact tropical plants.
Variegated Bird of Paradise
Variegated Bird of Paradise is grown primarily for its striking foliage, featuring broad leaves marked with irregular cream and green striping rather than the solid blue-green color of the standard type. This variety produces the same orange and blue blooms as its non-variegated counterpart, though flowering is often considered secondary to its ornamental leaf display. Variegated Bird of Paradise commands a premium price among collectors specifically for its rare and distinctive leaf patterning.
Yellow Bird of Paradise
Yellow Bird of Paradise belongs to the entirely separate, desert-adapted group of plants sharing the common name, producing flamboyant clusters of bright yellow flowers with long, protruding red stamens. This fast-growing, vase-shaped shrub is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in poor, rocky soil with minimal supplemental watering. Yellow Bird of Paradise attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and its lacy, feathery gray-green foliage remains evergreen in frost-free climates.
Red Bird of Paradise
Red Bird of Paradise, also commonly known as Pride of Barbados, is a striking deciduous shrub within the desert-adapted group, producing bright red-orange flowers with long, showy stamens. This variety is considered one of the more humidity-tolerant types within its group, allowing it to perform well even in more tropical climates than most of its desert-native relatives. Red Bird of Paradise blooms profusely through summer and into fall, attracting a steady stream of pollinators.
Mexican Bird of Paradise
Mexican Bird of Paradise is a heat-loving shrub or small tree producing vibrant clusters of fragrant yellow flowers, blooming from summer through fall. This variety can reach up to 30 feet tall in rare cases, though it more commonly stays within the 12 to 15 foot range typical of its group. Mexican Bird of Paradise features feathery foliage that adds a tropical touch to otherwise water-wise, desert-style landscaping.
Bicolor Bird of Paradise
Bicolor Bird of Paradise refers to color variants within the desert-adapted group that combine 2 distinct tones, typically red-orange petals paired with contrasting yellow petal edges, within a single bloom. This variety adds extra visual complexity compared to the single-toned forms more commonly seen in cultivation. Bicolor Bird of Paradise is often sought after specifically for its more intricate, multi-toned flower display.
Desert Bird of Paradise
Desert Bird of Paradise is a broad term used informally to describe the drought-tolerant, sun-loving varieties within the legume-related group, distinguishing them from their tropical, moisture-loving South African namesakes. These varieties generally require little water once established and are prone to root rot if overwatered, making them far better suited to arid climates than humid ones. Desert Bird of Paradise types are commonly chosen for xeriscaping projects where water conservation is a primary landscaping goal.