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• Bird of Paradise accessions were characterized for yield, physiological and biochemical traits. • The accession IC-0624431 registered significantly higher cumulative spike yield of 111.7 plant−1. • Higher inflorescence stalk length of 128.66 cm was noticed with IC-0624433 accession. • Wax content was significantly higher in IC-0624433 (0.62 mg cm−2). • IC-0624431 registered maximum net return of 5.61 per rupee investment. Twenty one accessions of bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae L.) were characterized for various traits at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, India during 2011−2017. Among different accessions, there were significant differences in number fans and leaves, leaf area, leaf biomass, spike yield and vase life. Maximum number of fans were recorded in IC-0624431 and lowest in IC-0624411. The IC-0624427 accession recorded maximum leaf area (311.92 cm2 leaf−1). Cumulative spike yield was significantly higher in IC-0624431 (153 spikes) followed by IC-0624412 (131.0 spikes). There was significant variability in plant height and leaf characteristics such as petiole length, leaf length, and lamina length/breadth. Maximum vase life of 10 days was registered with IC-0624427. Spike length (cm) was maximum in IC-0624433 (149.13) followed by IC-0624419 (130.12). The genotype IC-0624433 recorded higher inflorescence stalk length (128.66 cm) followed by IC-0624419 (108.44 cm) with lowest stalk length of 56.32 cm in IC-0624420. The variation among genotypes for wax content was significant and the wax content was significantly higher in IC-0624433 (0.62 mg cm−2). Anthocyanin content varied from 40. 9 to 12 4.0 mg. Genotype IC-0624419 recorded maximum anthocyanin content of 124.65 mg that was on par with IC-0624433 (122.25 mg). The maximum quantity of carotenoid in florets was recorded in IC-0624410 (22.31 mg) followed by IC-0624430 (19.06 mg). Total annual maintenance cost was estimated at Rs. 96,200 per hectare. IC-0624431 registered maximum net returns of 5.61 per rupee investment followed by IC-0624434 (4.71), IC-0624410 (3.80), IC-0624416 (3.69) and IC-0624414 (3.59). Overall, the accession IC-0624431 of bird of paradise registered better traits in all aspects. Bird of Paradise has low input requirement with less pest and disease load and is economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]