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White Bird of Paradise

4.7 out of 5 (126 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

About White Bird of Paradise

The highly sought after bird of paradise has been cultivated for nearly 250 years. Their showy flowers resemble a bird in flight, and give them their name. These majestic plants are pictured on the 50 cent rand in their native South Africa and are the floral emblem of Los Angeles. In the wild, they’re pollinated by sunbirds, a group of small birds with brightly colored and iridescent feathers. 🦜

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Strelitzia nicolai

Genus

Strelitzia

Family

Strelitziaceae

Order

Zingiberales

Also known as

Variegated Bird of Paradise

How to care for White Bird of Paradise

💦 Water

How often to water your White Bird of Paradise

White 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.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for White Bird of Paradise in your home

White Bird of Paradise may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize White Bird of Paradise

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for White 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 White Bird of Paradise after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #WhiteBirdOfParadise

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

White 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 White Bird of Paradise →

Benefits of Growing White Bird of Paradise →

Common White Bird of Paradise Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for White Bird of Paradise →

💦 Water Needs

White 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.

White Bird of Paradise Water Frequency →

White Bird of Paradise Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

White 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 🏡.

White Bird of Paradise Light Requirements →

White Bird of Paradise Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

White 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.

Is White Bird of Paradise Edible? →

White Bird of Paradise Toxicity to Cats →

White Bird of Paradise Toxicity to Dogs →

White Bird of Paradise Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

White 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.

White Bird of Paradise Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

White 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 Soil Mix for White Bird of Paradise →

Best Pots for White Bird of Paradise →

When and How to Successfully Repot White Bird of Paradise →

What Are Healthy White Bird of Paradise Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

White 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.

How Much and When to Fertilize White Bird of Paradise →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for White 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

White Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your White Bird of Paradise bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

White Bird of Paradise Flowers →

Is White Bird of Paradise an Annual Plant? →

Is White Bird of Paradise a Perennial Plant? →

White Bird of Paradise Pollination Guide →

Common White Bird of Paradise Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

White Bird of Paradise is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

White Bird of Paradise Lifecycle →

White Bird of Paradise Size Guide →

How and When to Prune White Bird of Paradise →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
White Bird of Paradise can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

White Bird of Paradise Temperature Tolerance →

White Bird of Paradise Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with White Bird of Paradise →

When to Plant White Bird of Paradise →

How to Plant White Bird of Paradise →

Where to Plant White Bird of Paradise →

Winter Care for White Bird of Paradise →

Best Companion Plants for White Bird of Paradise →

Is White Bird of Paradise a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

White Bird of Paradise can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate White Bird of Paradise →

🍂 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 White 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.

Common Bugs Affecting White Bird of Paradise →

What Eats White Bird of Paradise? →

Care Summary for White Bird of Paradise

White Bird of Paradise

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft 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.

What other plant parents say

Large, lush leaves 112

Fast grower 51

Survivor 47

Browns easily 17

Blooms easily 8

Easy to propagate 6

Pest magnet 5

@@Zazimazee

2 Plants

325 XP

03/22/2022

This isn’t an easy plant to care for

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Zazimazee named Petunia on Greg, the plant care app.

@@slitsavage

2 Plants

34 XP

Monroe, OR

01/19/2022

they’re prone to white mold, but she is gorgeous when she’s happy!

Browns easily

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @slitsavage named para on Greg, the plant care app.

@@philipvpham

5 Plants

427 XP

Kansas City, MO

01/18/2022

If I’m butter, if I’m butter

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @philipvpham named McAfee-Maggart on Greg, the plant care app.

@@LegitTallsedge

14 Plants

165 XP

Loveland, CO

01/12/2022

Birds of paradise like to be root bound! They only need a big enough pot to not tip over. Don’t repot too often or it will stress this big baby out and make it not bloom.

Mine is massive and easily almost six feet tall so plan to give your plant lots of room.

My favorite plant!

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @LegitTallsedge named Giant plant on Greg, the plant care app.

@@greenvy

23 Plants

2,343 XP

Decatur, GA

01/09/2022

Large and illustrious palm that is finicky about its water schedule. Working to fix some browning of its leaves. Bound to be a gorgeous plant that will continue to grow quickly.

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Survivor

Browns easily

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @greenvy named Birdie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@PlantEuphoria

37 Plants

6,156 XP

Foley, AL

12/29/2021

This might be one of my favorite plants. It was my very first maybe that’s why. Very easy to care for although I did have a problem with mealy bugs. I used horticulture oil twice. Let it sit on the plant for a few days after I sprayed it outside. Also killed all the bugs that I could see with alcohol on a q tip the days between treating it. Then brought it into the shower and gave it a good rinse. They haven’t been back since. It’s in a south facing window with lots of bright direct/indirect light.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @PlantEuphoria named Brenda on Greg, the plant care app.

@@queenvee

30 Plants

3,773 XP

San Francisco, CA

12/10/2021

Very happy big girl. Loves her indoor sunshine.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @queenvee named Lady Bird on Greg, the plant care app.

@@calilaurel

15 Plants

849 XP

Davie, FL

11/24/2021

I’ve had her for almost a year now, hasn’t died, but sure looks almost dead!! I’ve tried so may things. Indoor, outdoor, bigger pot, more water, less water, repotting just in case of pests or overwatering, and nothing. Still has been a downhill spiral of my poor bird of paradise looking like it’s being abused lol. Any tips would be appreciated, shawty really struggling😭

Large, lush leaves

Browns easily

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @calilaurel named Tyronia on Greg, the plant care app.

@Decklyn

4 Plants

78 XP

Columbia, MO

11/11/2021

Definitely needs a larger pot so it can grow correctly. It doesn’t grow in the cold months but will bloom a new leaf roughly every month if you water this plant every 2-3 days. I usually water the plant everyday though during warm months since it’s very dry in my home.

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by Decklyn named Homer on Greg, the plant care app.

@Charlotte

4 Plants

180 XP

09/10/2021

So beautiful and easy to tend to!

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by Charlotte named Lady on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Lovedaynamarie

4 Plants

65 XP

Philadelphia, PA

09/02/2021

The leaves split naturally, don’t worry about it! You didn’t do anything wrong. The leaves are large and collect dust, so dust once a week.

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Lovedaynamarie named Blanca on Greg, the plant care app.

@@AmeliasOasis125

5 Plants

79 XP

Elon, NC

08/31/2021

It tends to tip over a little bit

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Survivor

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @AmeliasOasis125 named Hades on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Growit6979

3 Plants

77 XP

08/27/2021

Easy to grow. Low light is fine. Good deco in lit basement.

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Growit6979 named Sanders on Greg, the plant care app.

@Colotte

6 Plants

76 XP

Toronto, Ontario

08/25/2021

Very sensitive especially the new leaf, it breaks easily.

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Fast grower

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by Colotte named Oh na na! on Greg, the plant care app.

@@hi

31 Plants

456 XP

Red Wing, MN

08/12/2021

The leaves are big and beautiful and are pushed out near constantly. My plant has grown so much in the year I’ve had it, and has never required any annoying level of care.

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Survivor

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @hi named birdie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Mariahmusic

46 Plants

1,552 XP

Milwaukee, WI

08/05/2021

Super simple care and so much bigger already! Love love love her

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Mariahmusic named Birdie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Daniwinss

17 Plants

650 XP

07/18/2021

Love how quickly it gets tall!

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Daniwinss named Birdie on Greg, the plant care app.

@Rory

21 Plants

489 XP

Moscow, ID

06/30/2021

big luscious beautiful plant that is strong and resilient

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by Rory named little birdy on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Tosha77

25 Plants

1,997 XP

Baltimore, MD

06/25/2021

Bright indirect light and allow top 2 inches to dry before watering

Large, lush leaves

White Bird of Paradise plant photo by @Tosha77 named Keisha on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Steeze365daily

16 Plants

1,975 XP

06/23/2021

I find that she grows better under bright indirect light, so keep her close to the window. She thrives under lots of humidity as well. The leaves grow in so beautiful and lush. Definitely a plant i’d recommended. Just make sure to water her evenly as well.

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Survivor

Browns easily