Plant Care Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

Taxonomy

Strelitzia spp.
Strelitzia
Strelitziaceae
Zingiberales

How to care for Bird of Paradise

💦 Water

How often to water your Bird of Paradise

Water needs for Bird of Paradise
0.5 cups
every 9

Bird of Paradise needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Bird of Paradise

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Bird of Paradise in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Bird of Paradise: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Bird of Paradise love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Bird of Paradise does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bird of Paradise in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Bird of Paradise

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bird of Paradise: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bird of Paradise after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Strelitzia
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Bird of Paradise is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Bird of Paradise →

Indoor Care Guide for Bird of Paradise →

Outdoor Care Guide for Bird of Paradise →


💦 Water Needs

Bird of Paradise prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Bird of Paradise may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Bird of Paradise is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.


💨 Humidity

Bird of Paradise prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.


🪴 Soil

Bird of Paradise does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Pots for Bird of Paradise →

What Are Healthy Bird of Paradise Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Bird of Paradise is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Bird of Paradise to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa.


🌸 Flowers
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Bird of Paradise grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Bird of Paradise Lifecycle →

Bird of Paradise Size Guide →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Bird of Paradise, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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