Strelitzia reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’ | Yellow Bird of Paradise | 50mm Pot

Add a rare golden variation of the iconic Bird of Paradise to your collection with Strelitzia reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’.

This striking selection is known for producing bird-shaped flowers with clear golden-yellow sepals and contrasting deep purple petals. Its large, grey-green leaves form a dense architectural clump, bringing a tropical appearance to gardens, patios and large containers throughout the year.

This product is supplied as a young seed-grown plant and will require several years of growth before reaching flowering maturity.

EXAMPLE MATURE FLOWER: The flower image shows the expected appearance of a mature ‘Mandela’s Gold’ plant. The supplied product is a young plant and will not arrive flowering.

Seed-Grown Plant Information

This plant has been raised from seed sold as Strelitzia reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’.

Producing true yellow-flowering seedlings requires controlled pollination between yellow-flowering parent plants. Seed-grown plants may still display some natural variation, and their final flower colour cannot be visually confirmed until they reach maturity and bloom.

Flower Characteristics

• Clear golden-yellow sepals
• Deep purple to purple-blue petals
• Distinctive bird-shaped flower form
• Multiple flowers may emerge successively from each spathe
• Flowers held above the foliage on strong stems
• Excellent contrast between yellow and purple
• Suitable for garden display and cutting
• Flowering generally occurs during winter and spring

Supplied in a 50mm Pot

Supplied as a young plant growing in a 50mm nursery pot.

The 50mm measurement refers to the width of the nursery pot—not the plant’s height or foliage spread.

Plant height, leaf number and root development will vary naturally. Young seedlings will not have the size, clumping habit or flowers shown in mature example images.

Key Features

• Rare yellow-flowering form of Bird of Paradise
• Expected golden-yellow and deep purple flowers
• Large, architectural grey-green foliage
• Evergreen clump-forming growth habit
• Grows approximately 1.5m tall
• Suitable for subtropical and warm-temperate gardens
• Excellent feature plant
• Performs well in large containers
• Suitable for protected patios and courtyards
• Attracts nectar-feeding birds and pollinators
• Established plants tolerate coastal conditions
• Supplied as a seed-grown young plant
• Supplied in a 50mm nursery pot

Suitable Uses

• Tropical and subtropical gardens
• Feature planting
• Poolside landscaping
• Courtyards and patios
• Large pots and containers
• Coastal gardens
• Architectural planting
• Mixed tropical borders
• Conservatories and glasshouses
• Cut-flower gardens
• Strelitzia collections
• Rare plant collections

Planting Instructions

Choose a position with full sun to partial shade and fertile, free-draining soil.

Carefully remove the young plant from its nursery pot while keeping the root ball intact. Plant at the same depth at which it was growing in the pot.

Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture while the plant establishes. Avoid locations where water remains around the roots after rain.

Young plants may initially benefit from bright, filtered light before being gradually acclimatised to stronger direct sun.

Care Instructions

Position

Mature plants perform best in full sun to partial shade.

More sunlight generally encourages stronger flowering, but young seedlings should be gradually acclimatised because tender leaves can scorch when moved directly from sheltered nursery conditions into intense sun.

Soil

Grow in fertile, organically enriched and free-draining soil.

Improve the planting area with compost or well-aged organic matter before planting. Avoid heavy soil that remains continually saturated.

For containers, use a premium potting mix with additional material added to maintain good drainage.

Watering

Water regularly and deeply during warm weather and active growth.

Allow excess water to drain freely and avoid leaving the plant standing in water. Reduce watering during cooler periods, particularly when growth slows.

Established plants have some drought tolerance, but consistent moisture supports stronger foliage and flowering.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser during spring and summer.

Additional liquid fertiliser may be applied during active growth according to the product label. Container-grown plants generally require more frequent feeding than plants grown in the ground.

Climate

‘Mandela’s Gold’ is best suited to tropical, subtropical, coastal and protected warm-temperate climates.

Protect the plant from frost, cold winds and prolonged low temperatures. In cooler regions, grow it in a large container that can be moved into a protected position during winter.

Container Growing

This Strelitzia performs well in a large container.

Young plants should be moved into progressively larger pots as their roots develop. Avoid placing a small seedling directly into an excessively large container, as the unused potting mix may remain wet for too long.

Mature plants should not be repotted unnecessarily because their thick, fleshy roots can be damaged by excessive disturbance.

Flowering

Seed-grown Strelitzias take time to reach flowering maturity.

Under excellent conditions, flowering may begin after approximately three years, although five to seven years or longer is possible. Flowering time depends on climate, light, nutrition, root development and general care.

The supplied young plant will not arrive flowering, and a specific flowering date cannot be guaranteed.

Maintenance

Remove old or damaged foliage by cutting it cleanly near the base.

Spent flower stems may also be removed after flowering. Established clumps can eventually be divided, although divided plants may take considerable time to recover and resume flowering.

Pest Control

Monitor the leaves and growing points for scale insects, mealybugs and mites.

Minor infestations may be treated with a suitable horticultural oil such as Eco-Oil, following the product label directions.

Mature Size

Height: Approximately 1.5m
Width: Approximately 1.5–2m

Final size will depend on climate, position, soil, container size and care.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’
Common Names: Mandela’s Gold Strelitzia, Yellow Bird of Paradise, Yellow Crane Flower
Family: Strelitziaceae
Origin: Horticultural selection developed in South Africa
Plant Type: Evergreen clump-forming perennial
Propagation Type: Seed-grown
Supply Format: Young live plant in a 50mm nursery pot
Expected Flower Colour: Golden yellow with deep purple to purple-blue petals
Foliage: Large, paddle-shaped grey-green leaves
Flowering Period: Generally winter to spring, sometimes extending into early summer
Mature Height: Approximately 1.5m
Mature Width: Approximately 1.5–2m
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Fertile, organically enriched and free-draining
Water Needs: Moderate; regular during active growth
Climate: Tropical, subtropical and protected warm-temperate
Frost Tolerance: Frost sensitive
End Use: Feature planting, tropical gardens, patios, large containers and cut flowers

Important Information

• The supplied product is a young seed-grown plant
• The plant is supplied in a 50mm nursery pot
• The 50mm measurement refers to the pot—not the plant’s height
• The plant will not arrive flowering
• Seedlings may require five to seven years or longer to flower
• Flowering time cannot be guaranteed
• Seed-grown plants may display natural variation
• Final flower colour cannot be visually confirmed until the plant blooms
• Golden-yellow flowers depend on controlled, true-to-type seed production
• Young plants will not resemble mature flowering example images
• Plant height, leaf number and root development will vary naturally
• Protect young plants from frost and abrupt exposure to intense sunlight

FAQ

What size plant will I receive?

You will receive a young seed-grown plant in a 50mm nursery pot. Plant height, leaf number and development will vary.

Why is it described as a seedling?

This plant has been propagated from seed rather than divided from a mature, confirmed flowering clump. Its final flowers cannot be inspected until it reaches maturity.

Are golden-yellow flowers guaranteed?

Golden-yellow flowers are expected from correctly controlled ‘Mandela’s Gold’ seed stock. However, because the plant is seed-grown, final flower colour cannot be visually confirmed until it blooms.

Will the plant arrive flowering?

No. The supplied plant is juvenile and will not arrive flowering or carrying flower buds.

How long will it take to flower?

Under excellent conditions, flowering may begin after approximately three years. However, five to seven years or longer is possible depending on climate and care.

Can it tolerate full sun?

Yes. Mature plants flower best with plenty of sunlight. Gradually acclimatise young nursery plants before exposing them to intense direct sun.

Can it be grown indoors?

It can be maintained in an exceptionally bright indoor or enclosed position, but long-term indoor conditions may not provide enough sunlight for reliable flowering.

Is it suitable for a container?

Yes. It performs well in a large, stable container with excellent drainage. Move young plants into progressively larger pots as their roots develop.