This majestic, high-drama plant is surprisingly low maintenance and makes a bold statement in your front room

Why will I love it? Add a bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) to your home and you’ll gain the ultimate symbol of tranquillity. The plant is known for its large, fan-shaped majestic leaves and for sculptural flowers that resemble an exotic bird in flight.

Light or shade? Bright light.

Where should I put it? The bird of paradise plant can grow up to two metres tall indoors, creating a dramatic statement piece. It deserves pride of place in your sitting room.

How do I keep it alive? This is a relatively low-maintenance plant that requires bright direct or indirect light. It enjoys weekly watering in summer, ensuring that the soil is always kept moist; reduce watering in winter, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. These plants also like lots of warmth and humidity, so mist regularly or place on a wet pebble tray.

Did you know… Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820), the unofficial director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, named the plant genus Strelitzia in honour of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III. The species name, reginae, also refers to her.