STRELITZIA reginae

A bold structural plant which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. The grey-green banana-like leaves grow about 1.2 metres in height and the flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks.
Mature plants produce many flowers with flowers occurring in autumn, winter, and spring.
Strelitzia reginae is an easy plant to grow in the garden. Plants do well in full sun to semi-shade.

Prefers a light to medium well-drained soil in a protected partially shaded position, drought, and frost tender.

Originates from South Africa.

Prefers a light to medium well-drained soil in a protected partially shaded position, drought and frost tender.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoiding the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 25°C for this species.

1. Nick seed with a sharp knife or abrade with coarse sandpaper.
2. Soak seed 24 hours in warm water and remove the bright orange hairs attached to one end.
3. Sow seed 1cm deep.
4. Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
5. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
6. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
7. Germination generally occurs in around 4-8 weeks @ 25°C.

Note: Some research has shown it may also be beneficial to place the seed in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator for two weeks prior to the process note above.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.