Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' is an easy plant to grow and will thrive in most soils. Ideal conditions are full sun, rich, well-drained loam soil with a pH of approximately 7.5, regular deep watering in summer and liberal applications of fertilizer in early summer. Bonemeal and plenty of mature compost should be mixed into the soil when planting. Plants will respond well to generous applications of manure and compost or additional fertilizer watered in about once a month during summer. A fertilizer with the proportions 3:1:5 encourages flowering, and can be alternated with other formulations.

In South Africa and other sunny countries, strelitzias will also do well in semi-shade, but in less sunny regions, they need as much sun as they can get if they are to flower well. Once established, they can survive with very little water, and they are tolerant of wind and coastal conditions. But 'Mandela's Gold' is sensitive to cold and needs a sheltered position against a north- or west-facing wall in areas that experience frost, and is not suitable for permanent outdoor cultivation in regions that experience a winter low of -7 to -1 ºC / 30 to 40 ºF (zone 9) or lower.

'Mandela's Gold' is a striking feature plant, a decorative garden subject and adds a tropical feel to courtyards and swimming pool areas. It is also an excellent cutflower. It is suitable for cultivation in large tubs and containers but for better flowering performance it should then be fed with a dilute liquid fertilizer at least every second week, particularly at the beginning of the growing season. In cold climates it can be grown in a sunny or brightly-lit conservatory.

Propagation is by seed or division. The plants are slow-growing and large clumps that are split or moved will take at least two years to re-establish themselves and flower again. To get a mature flowering plant from seed: under ideal conditions it takes about 3 years; but under less than ideal conditions it can take from 5 to 7 years. For best results sow fresh seed in spring or early summer. To improve germination, the seed can be soaked in a solution of ethrel, but this treatment is not necessary for germination to occur. Without ethrel treatment approx. 50% of the seed should germinate in 4 to 8 weeks with a further 30% germinating sporadically for up to one year after sowing. With ethrel treatment, 80% of the seeds should germinate within the first 4 to 8 weeks.

Before sowing, remove the bright orange aril and soak the seed in a solution of ethrel at a concentration of 2000 ppm active constituent, for 48 hours. Sow in seedtrays filled with a well-drained soil medium at a depth of 1 to 1½ times the size of the seed. A constant temperature of 25C is most suitable for germination as low temperatures retard germination. Seedlings should be a good size before being transplanted (two to three leaves) into a well-drained potting medium. In our nursery we have found that the young plants are best grown in semi-shade, as the leaves tend to burn in direct sunlight. Regular repotting allows the young plant to develop rapidly. Restricting the root development retards growth.