To understand the ideal temperature for a Bird of Paradise (*Strelitzia reginae* or *Strelitzia nicolai*), one must first consider its origins. This plant is native to the subtropical coastal regions of South Africa. In this environment, it thrives under conditions that are consistently warm without being excessively scorching, and it experiences mild winters that are largely frost-free. The plant's physiology is fundamentally engineered for this thermal range. Its large, leathery leaves are excellent at photosynthesis in bright, warm conditions but lack the adaptations for cold survival, such as antifreeze proteins or deep dormancy cycles found in temperate species. Therefore, the ideal temperature range we provide in cultivation aims to mimic this native subtropical rhythm as closely as possible.
During its active growing season, which typically spans from spring through early fall, the Bird of Paradise plant performs best in daytime temperatures between **65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C)**. Within this range, the plant's metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake, operate at peak efficiency. The warmth encourages the robust production of its iconic, bird-like flowers and the rapid development of its large, split leaves. Temperatures at the higher end of this spectrum are perfectly acceptable, provided the plant has adequate humidity and hydration to support increased transpiration rates. This range allows the plant to channel its energy into vigorous growth, creating a lush, tropical focal point in the home.
A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of ideal temperature care is the natural dip at night. The plant benefits from a nighttime temperature that is approximately **10-15°F (5-8°C) cooler** than the daytime high, ideally settling between **55°F and 65°F (13°C to 18°C)**. This nightly cooldown is not a stressor but a physiological necessity. It mirrors the plant's natural environment and allows it to slow its respiration rate, conserving energy and resources that were gathered during the day. This period of rest is vital for maintaining overall plant health, preventing metabolic exhaustion, and can even be a trigger for bloom development in mature plants.
The Bird of Paradise communicates discomfort through clear physical signs when temperatures stray outside its ideal range. Sustained exposure to temperatures **below 50°F (10°C)** can cause significant damage. Chilling injury manifests as dark, soggy spots on the leaves, blackening of leaf edges, and a general wilt that does not recover with watering. Prolonged exposure to temperatures **below 24°F (-4°C)** is often fatal, causing cell walls to rupture. Conversely, while the plant can tolerate heat, prolonged exposure to temperatures **above 90°F (32°C)**, especially in low-humidity indoor settings, can lead to heat stress. This may cause leaves to curl, brown at the tips and margins, or become overly limp as the plant loses water through transpiration faster than its roots can replenish it.
Temperature cannot be isolated from other environmental factors, particularly humidity. Warm air has a higher capacity to hold moisture, meaning that as temperatures rise, the relative humidity often drops. The Bird of Paradise, being a subtropical plant, prefers a humidity level of 50% or higher. In a warm room with dry air, the plant will experience heightened stress. Therefore, maintaining ideal temperatures should be coupled with efforts to increase humidity through grouping plants, using a pebble tray, or employing a humidifier. Furthermore, gentle airflow from a fan circulating air in the room helps regulate leaf surface temperature, prevents stagnant air, and reduces the risk of pests, creating a more holistic and healthy microclimate that supports the plant's thermal preferences.
