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Bird of Paradise in Winter: Cold Limits and Bringing It In

How cold a bird of paradise can take (24°F or 28°F, depending on the source), when to bring pots inside, indoor winter temperatures and winter watering.

Iris BellPublished Oct 25, 2026 · Updated Oct 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Orange bird of paradise flower with a blue tongue among large green leaves
Photo: Jonathan Wilkins, CC BY-SA 3.0

Treat 28°F as the line for a bird of paradise, and bring a potted plant indoors before the first frost. The sources give two limits. UF/IFAS EDIS says Strelitzia reginae tolerates as low as 24°F for a short time. The University of Wisconsin says a limited time down to about 28°F. Both agree that freezing temperatures damage flower buds. This guide sits under our bird of paradise care guide.

The cold limits: 24°F or 28°F?

UF/IFAS EDIS: about 24°F

The plant will tolerate temperatures as low as 24°F for a short time. Freezing temperatures will damage developing flower buds and flowers.

University of Wisconsin: about 28°F

It can tolerate a limited amount of time down to about 28°F. Bring the plant in before the first frost.

The difference is 4 degrees, and both limit the exposure to “a short time” or “a limited amount of time”. Our reading is cautious: if you are choosing between them, use 28°F as the line and accept that a night at 24°F is a risk to buds and foliage. UF/IFAS says outdoors the plant thrives in zones 10 through 11 and can survive further north with frost protection.

Buds go first. Both UF/IFAS EDIS and the University of Wisconsin tie cold to flowers. EDIS says freezing temperatures will damage developing flower buds and flowers, and says that in north Florida a container that can be moved indoors during freezes helps ensure flower production.

When to bring it in

Wisconsin says to bring the plant in before the first frost. Clemson gives a temperature cue for a potted plant that spent the summer outside: bring it indoors when temperatures begin to drop below 60°F. The two cues differ: Clemson’s 60°F trigger comes earlier than a frost, and Wisconsin’s first-frost rule is the latest safe moment.

Winter conditions indoors

Temperature

Clemson says 65 to 70°F by day and 50 to 55°F at night. NC State says 55 to 65°F at night. They conflict on the night range, so a cool room in the mid 50s is the overlap.

Light

NC State says grow it indoors in a well-lit, sunny spot. Wisconsin says it needs a sunny spot indoors in winter.

Water

UF/IFAS EDIS says water only when the soil is fairly dry in winter. NC State says keep drier in winter.

Humidity

Clemson says about 60 percent, which may need daily misting during the dry winter months.

Wisconsin says to feed monthly in winter with a water-soluble fertilizer. So if you feed in winter, once a month at most is the figure on the page.

Steps for a potted plant

  1. Watch for 60°F nights. Clemson says to bring it indoors when temperatures begin to drop below 60°F. Do not wait for a frost warning.
  2. Check the plant for pests before moving it in. Clemson lists scales, mealybugs, whiteflies and aphids; NC State and Wisconsin add spider mites. A quick look when you water is cheap.
  3. Put it in your brightest window. Sunny and well lit (NC State, Wisconsin).
  4. Cut back the water. Water only when the soil is fairly dry (UF/IFAS EDIS).
  5. Mist if the air is dry. Clemson says daily misting may be needed in the dry winter months.

Planting outdoors in marginal zones

In north Florida, UF/IFAS EDIS says to grow it in a container that can be moved indoors during freezes. In a borderline zone, use frost protection when a freeze is forecast; UF/IFAS says plants can survive north of zone 10 that way.

FrostDamaged budsFreezing damages flower buds (UF/IFAS EDIS). See not-flowering for the other causes.Dry airWinter mistingClemson says daily misting may be needed in dry winter months.RootsWet winter soilClemson says root rot results from slow-draining mix or frequent watering.

For the daily routine of a plant indoors, see our indoor care guide. If you want a flower that stays inside all year, the moth orchid is a different style of indoor plant.

Frequently asked questions

How cold can a bird of paradise get before it is damaged?

UF/IFAS EDIS says it tolerates temperatures as low as 24°F for a short time; the University of Wisconsin says a limited time down to about 28°F. Both warn that freezing damages flower buds. Treat 28°F as the safer limit.

When should I bring a potted bird of paradise inside?

Clemson says to bring a plant that spent the summer outdoors inside when temperatures begin to drop below 60°F. Wisconsin says to bring it in before the first frost.

How should I water it in winter?

UF/IFAS EDIS says to water only when the soil is fairly dry. NC State says keep it drier in winter. Clemson adds that the dry winter air may mean daily misting.

Can it stay outside in zone 9?

UF/IFAS says it thrives in zones 10 and 11 and can survive further north with frost protection.

Sources

  1. Strelitzia reginae, Bird-of-Paradise (MG106), UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS)
  2. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture
  3. Bird of Paradise (HGIC), Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Center
  4. Strelitzia reginae, NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
  5. Bird of Paradise, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions