The plant that can bring the ultimate tropical vibe to your home, the queen of houseplants, the most impressive of all. An exotic and visually stunning plant originating in Africa, Birds of Paradise are often confused for Banana plants, with their broad, arching leaves, but they have more of a fountain shape, rather than the spiral of Bananas. Now an incredibly popular houseplant, you would be hard-pressed to not find them appearing in architectural magazines or beautifully designed homes, as their leaves make such an impressive statement and they truly green up a space.
Bird of Paradise Care
PRO TIP: Trim away older leaves on the Bird of Paradise, as they droop over time and develop more splits. New leaves always emerge from the center and keep the plant full and balanced.
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) boasts a stunning display of large tropical leaves that in the wilds of southern Africa can reach up to 20′ tall! In human spaces, they’re more likely to stand anywhere from 3’- 8’ tall, but still rank among most houseplant fans’ favorites due to the remarkable size of their rich foliage.
Choose a location for your Bird of Paradise away from air vents and drafts where the plant will get at least four hours of southern, western, or eastern exposure. Though they can tolerate medium light conditions, the Bird of Paradise will not thrive long-term without adequate sunlight, so we always recommend placing them in bright light.
If you are unsure about lighting conditions in your home or office, we have a guide for how to measure light in your space.
Bird of Paradise plants are often confused with banana plants, but while bananas have a spiral leaf growth pattern, Bird of Paradise plants have an alternate leaf growth pattern.
Routine Maintenance
PRO TIP: In the winter months when less sunlight is available due to the elliptical orbit of the sun, Birds of Paradise go through a “resting” period and require less water. October – February you can dial back the amount of water given provided you don’t have the plant near a dry heat source. In general it is better to adjust the amount of water given rather than the frequency of watering.
Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. A soil probe is a very handy tool for both checking the soil moisture deep within a planter and can also be used to aerate overly wet soil.
Birds of Paradise enjoy moist (but not soggy) soil, and being allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Try not to let the soil dry completely through the pot, but also avoid overwatering. Allow the top 2″ – 3″ of the soil to become dry between waterings, but below that should remain moist. These plants do particularly well in our self watering containers.
The splits in the leaves of the Bird of Paradise are natural, and allow light to access the lower portion of the plant. Keep your plant away from drafts, and apply extra humidity with a humidifier, pebble tray, or mister to keep the splitting to a minimum.
Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and don’t be afraid to prune discolored or broken leaves. It is important to dust the leaves of Bird of Paradise plants often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. To dust, use a mister and microfiber cloth to throughly wipe down each leaf and take the opportunity to inspect the undersides of the foliage to keep an eye out for pests.
Note if you are using a container made from organic materials to pot your Bird of Paradise in, we highly recommend using a waterproof saucer underneath to protect your floors, as humidity may accumulate beneath the pot and can damage wood floors and carpeting.
Remember each plant is a unique living thing and may have varying needs, especially in their individual locations. Pay attention to the condition of your Bird of Paradise and its watering needs and you will have a long and happy relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the leaves of my Bird of Paradise splitting?
A Bird of Paradise living free and in the wild in front of an apartment complex in Florida.
- Splitting leaves on the Bird of Paradise is totally normal and natural. The splits are an evolutionary adaptation of the plant that allow wind to pass through the leaves, meaning the leaves themselves don’t function as giant sails. Over time, older leaves develop more splits and can be pruned as new leaves emerge and fill out the plant. If you notice the plant is developing splits rapidly, check that it is removed from air vents and drafts, and that it is receiving adequate light and water. Increasing the humidity around your plant with a humidifier or frequent misting can help prevent and slow leaf splitting.
Will my Bird of Paradise flower?
- Most often, Bird of Paradise will not produce flowers indoors. Only in their natural habitat of high humidity and high light conditions will the circumstances be right for them to flower. The variety Greenery Unlimited offers is the white flowering giant Bird of Paradise, as the leaves are much larger and more impressive than those of the orange flowering variety, which flower more commonly.
What is this spear emerging from the middle of my plant?
- A new leaf! New leaves always come from the center of the plant and shoot out in a tightly wound spear. Over the course of a few weeks the leaf will slowly uncurl and reveal a brilliant, shiny, bright green new leaf. Although tempting, do not assist the leaf to open as this can damage the leaf. If the leaf seems stuck in spots and is splitting, you may want to try to increase the humidity around the plant and mist the emerging leaf.
How can I tell if my Bird of Paradise is getting enough light?
- Bird of Paradise love lots of bright indirect light, and some direct light too. Some symptoms of the plant suffering from lack of light are extreme leaf splitting, drooping leaves, new leaves that won’t open, and leaf browning. You may also find the plant has difficulty with water absorption through the roots and therefore will suffer from overwatering more easily if it is not receiving enough light.
LEFT: An example of a Bird of Paradise drooping, browning, and splitting due to lack of light. RIGHT: A brown curled leaf the Bird of Paradise plant. This kind of browning is similar to severely under-watered plants, but in this case it is from lack of light.
How often should I fertilize my plant?
- In general, houseplants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery Unlimited uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so should you purchase your plant from us you will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.
How can I tell if my Bird of Paradise is being overwatered?
- In proper lighting conditions, the Bird of Paradise drinks plenty of water. Although it does require a drying out period and is susceptible to root rot if the soil remains overly moist. If your plant is not receiving enough light, it is more susceptible to overwatering. Some indications that your plant could be overwatered are droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edged leaves with a yellow line. If you think you may have overwatered, a soil probe can help you assess how we the soil is at the root level and aerate the soil to release excess moisture. One great way to help prevent overwatering is to plant your Bird of Paradise with aeration stones at the bottom of the planter. Proper drainage is essential for long-term root health and aeration stones can absorb excess water at the base of the planter helping to ensure your roots are never in standing water.
LEFT: An example of a Bird of Paradise drooping, browning, and splitting due to overly wet soil. RIGHT: A new leaf with yellow and brown margins from overwatering. The leaf began to brown and yellow while it was still curled up, and upon unfurling presented discoloration and damage
ABOVE: Curling edges and brown and yellow leaf margins from root damage due to overly wet soil. Note the browning is on the outer most edge preceded by a thin line of yellowing on the interior of the leaf.
How can I tell if my Bird of Paradise is not getting enough water?
- Underwatering most commonly presents as dry crispy tips or edges on the leaves, leaf splitting or breaking with brittle edges, and brown shriveled basal leaves. Underwatering is easy to bounce back from, so determine if the quantity or frequency should be increased to help nurse your plant back to health.
LEFT: An example of a Bird of Paradise leaf tips curling and browning due to lack of water. RIGHT: Shriveled, curled, and browning crispy basal leaves as seen in this photo are a clear indication that the plant is thirsty. .
How often should I repot my plant?
- For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months — although the Bird of Paradise prefers to be slightly pot bound, so you can hold off on repotting for 28 months if the plant is in healthy condition. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot it into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time for repotting as the plant is at its strongest.
Light Requirements
Although they can adapt to medium light conditions, Birds of Paradise will flourish in very, very bright light, including direct sunlight. For the long term, you will want to keep your plant in lots of bright light, as they will not thrive in lower light levels without adequate sunlight. When considering where to place your Bird of Paradise, use the following example spaces as a guideline:
- Directly next to a West facing window (if there is a lot of direct sun for more than 3 hours, consider placing a sheer blind or pulling the plant slightly back as too much sun can cause burn)
- Directly next to a South or East facing window that has no blinds, where it will receive lots of morning sunlight
- A small distance (no more than 3 ft.) back from a West facing window that has no blinds
- In a brightly lit room, potentially under a skylight, where the room/plant gets a lot of indirect (or direct), bright light
If you are keeping your plant in a location that receives direct sun through a window, remember that it needs to go through an adjustment period. Do not place it in a spot that receives prolonged sun right away! The foliage will most likely burn or become scorched as the majority of plants are grown under shade cloths in a greenhouse. Give the plant an hour more of sun every week until the plant is in the spot you want it.
Noticing a spear-like object protruding from the center of a clump of Bird of Paradise leaves? What you are seeing is a new leaf being produced! The newest growth comes from the center of each clump and slowly, but surely, it will unfurl and be a stunning, large, shiny, new leaf. Resist the urge to assist it while it unfurls, as this can cause it to rip more than it would do naturally, just mist it a bit to help the unravelling go a little smoother.
Keep an eye on your plant as it adapts to the new home it is in, if it is happy and producing lots of new growth during the warmer months, leave it where it is as you don’t want to mess with a good thing. If the plant never seems to grow or produces unhealthy growth, not for any other reason, consider moving your plant to a location that receives brighter light. If the leaves are getting scorched and receiving too much direct light, consider moving the plant further back from the window or getting sheer blinds. The plant will most likely go through a period of dormancy during the cooler months so do not fret if you don’t see lots of new growth all the time, and they do take a while to form new leaves. Just keep them in that nice, bright light!
One of the initial reasons people want to get a Bird of Paradise is for their flowers, but in order for them to flower, a lot of patience, time, and consistently perfect conditions are necessary. See what we recommend doing below in the final section of this care guide if you would like to know what those conditions are, but don’t get your hopes up as it is very rare for them to flower indoors.
Birds of Paradise actually prefer to be root bound, where they will produce lots of healthy growth if given enough light. We suggest repotting every 18-24 months for larger floor plants, into a pot about 2-4″ larger than its current home, although you could hold off for 28 months if the plant is in prime condition and growing happily. If you prefer to maintain the size of the pot, repot it into the same vessel but provide fresh, rich, well-draining soil and trim away any old roots or foliage. See more about our repotting guides here.
Watering Requirements
When the top half of the soil is dry, soak the soil thoroughly, ensuring all of the soil is getting wet and providing water to the roots. If it is going through too quickly, aerate the soil so that it will disperse evenly throughout the soil. Birds of Paradise can handle slightly drying out a bit more as well, as you don’t want to give them water more often than needed, especially during the cooler winter months when new growth slows. After watering, get rid of any excess water so that your plant does not sit in any standing water as that will lead to root rot.
Bird of Paradise White Nicolai
If you really feel like spoiling your plant, (which you should do every once in a while obviously!) use rainwater, distilled water, or tap water that has sat out overnight to water your plant. Rainwater has a lot of micronutrients that water straight from the tap just doesn’t contain. Using solely tap water can also cause a build-up of chlorine and other chemicals in your plant’s soil over time so it’s generally a good rule of thumb to flush the soil every once in a while. These chemicals can also lead to browning or yellowing foliage.
When the days turn cooler and darker, you will need to water your plant less often than the brighter, warmer months, so let your plant’s soil dry out a little during those months. Showering your plant is another great idea as this can wash off any dust or potential pests that have accumulated on them. Also, if your plant is receiving very bright light, it will need more water than the plant that is receiving medium light.
Humidity
Even though they can survive in our basic home humidity, they love a warm, humid environment! If you are willing to spend the extra money and effort, here are some ways you can increase the humidity in the air around your beautiful Bird:
- Mist the leaves daily or weekly to increase the ambient humidity around the plant (weekly should be fine, if problems occur, check the list at the end of this article to find a potential solution)
- Place the nursery pot on top of a bed of rocks that are covered in water, which increases the humidity in the air around the plant
- Invest in a humidifier and keep it near your plant
If you notice an excessive amount of splits in your plant’s leaves, or the new leaves are not unravelling very well, mist your plant more often or increase the humidity in the ways mentioned above. Finally, avoid placing a Bird of Paradise anywhere near a draft, such as cool open windows, heating vents, or air conditioners, because although they love a warm room, they are sensitive to temperature changes and dry, blowing air!
