Bird of Paradise: Care and Problem Solving

A Bird of Paradise is a slow growing plant with large paddle shaped leaves that resemble those of a banana plant. Even indoors, a Bird of Paradise can easily reach a height of 6ft. - 7ft. This plant has no stem and the leaves, sometimes 3ft or more in length, emerge from a central frond. When older than 4 or 5 years, a Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae) may, on rare occasions, produce an exotic orange/red flower that resembles the head of a crane while the Strelizia Nicolai or White Bird of Paradise will produce a blue/white version of this flower. Flower production is much more frequent when a Bird of Paradise is used as an outdoor plant. Remember that those beautiful thick waxy leaves with their matte finish are poisonous. Please keep a Bird of Paradise away from children and pets.

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Care of Bird of Paradise

Light: A Bird of Paradise requires very bright light. It can even be placed in the direct sun if you do it gradually and allow the leaves to slowly adapt. You may have to move the plant to different areas of your home as the seasons change in order to give it adequate light. Placing a Bird of Paradise close to a south facing window is always best.

Water: In the spring and summer keep the soil of a Bird of Paradise moist but never soggy. This plant needs less water in the fall and winter. Try watering a Bird of Paradise from the bottom so that the soil does not become too compact and remains well aerated. Water with a high salt content will burn the leaves of a Bird of Paradise.

Temperature: A Bird of Paradise grows best when the temperature is between 65-75 degrees during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, while the plant is "resting," keep the temperature 10 degrees cooler. The temperature should never go below 50 degrees or the leaves of a Bird of Paradise will curl and turn black.

Fertilizer: Fertilize a Bird of Paradise monthly in the spring and summer with a good basic houseplant food (10/10/10), never fertilize in the fall and winter. If a plant is not actively growing, fertilizer salts will burn the leaves.

Humidity: A Bird of Paradise does well in usual household humidity.

Pests: Scale, mealy bugs, and spider mites may infest a Bird of Paradise. Fortunately they are quickly detected on the large broad leaves and can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth or warm soapy water. Alcohol or any spray pesticide should never be used on a Bird of Paradise. These products harm the matte finish on the leaves.

Propagation: The easiest way to propagate a Bird of Paradise is by plant division.

Bird of Paradise
Bird pf Paradise Picture

Bird of Paradise FAQ'S

1. I have had my Bird of Paradise for over two years and it still hasn't bloomed. What should I do?
A Bird of Paradise needs to be a mature plant at least 4 or 5 years old before it's even capable of blooming. Once it reaches that age here a few ways to encourage a Bird of Paradise to bloom. The plant needs to be root bound and very crowded in its pot. Never repot a Bird of Paradise that is older than 4 or 5 years of age; just replace the upper 30% of the soil, leaving the top of the roots exposed. A Bird of Paradise needs a great deal of bright light in order to bloom. You can even try moving the plant outside in the summer. Use a fertilizer high in phosphorus during the summer to encourage flowering. And finally, be patient!!

2. The leaves of my Bird of Paradise are very dusty. Can I spray it with a commercial leaf shine?
No!! Leaf shine will mar the matte finish on the leaves of a Bird of Paradise. Remove the dust with a dilute solution of warm soapy water.

3. The leaves of my Bird of Paradise are curling. What does it need?
The first thing I would suggest is to move your Bird of Paradise into better light, if that doesn't help try giving your plant more water. If the leaves curl and also turn yellow or blotchy, you should check for spider mites.


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