- **Type**: Tropical evergreen perennial

- **Height**: 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) indoors or outdoors

- **Width**: 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, clumping, with stiff, upright leaves forming a fan-like structure

- **Foliage**:

- Long, paddle-shaped leaves, 1 to 2 feet long (30 to 60 cm), 6 to 10 inches wide (15 to 25 cm)

- Gray-green to dark green, glossy, with a leathery texture

- Evergreen year-round in suitable climates

- **Flowers**:

- Striking, bird-like blooms with bright orange sepals and vivid blue petals (tongue-like)

- Inflorescence 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long, emerging from a green, beak-like spathe

- Bloom season: Late fall to spring (November to May), sporadic in warm climates; rare indoors without optimal conditions

- Mildly fragrant, attracts hummingbirds and sunbirds outdoors

- **Fruit**:

- Leathery capsules, containing black seeds with orange arils

- Not ornamentally significant; rarely produced indoors

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) outdoors; bright, indirect light indoors (south/west windows)

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, rich; prefers loamy soil with organic matter

- Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0 to 7.5)

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, allow top inch to dry between waterings

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 10 to 12 (30°F or -1°C; grown as a houseplant elsewhere)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators outdoors; not deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10)

- Prune dead leaves or spent flower stalks at the base

- Repot every 1-2 years indoors if rootbound; prefers slightly cramped pots

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- May attract scale, spider mites, or mealybugs indoors

- Susceptible to root rot in overwatered or poorly drained soil

- **Uses**: Indoor accent plant, outdoor specimen, containers, tropical borders

- **Growth Rate**: Slow to moderate; adds 6-12 inches per year with good care

- **Special Features**:

- Native to South Africa; South Africa’s floral emblem

- Named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

- Iconic orange-and-blue blooms make it a floral design favorite

The Orange Bird of Paradise’s exotic, crane-like flowers and lush foliage bring a vibrant tropical statement to indoor spaces or warm-climate gardens, thriving with bright light and consistent care. Let me know if you’d like more growing tips or styling ideas!