Plant Care White Bird of Paradise

White Bird of Paradise

4.7 out of 5 (126 experiences)

White Bird of Paradise has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
White Bird of Paradise has a Fast grower plant personality 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

Strelitzia nicolai
Strelitzia
Strelitziaceae
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

Water needs for White Bird of Paradise
0.5 cups
every 9

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.

Calculate water needs of White Bird of Paradise

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
Light

Check the growing potential in your area

A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for White Bird of Paradise in your home

Light needs and placement for plant White Bird of Paradise: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

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.

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!


Water Needs
Sunlight Needs
Toxicity
Humidity
Soil
Fertilizer
Dormancy
Native Region
Flowers
Growth Pattern
Growing Outdoors
Propagation
Yellow Leaves

Care Summary for White Bird of Paradise

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

White Bird of Paradise has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 112
White Bird of Paradise has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 51
White Bird of Paradise has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 47
White Bird of Paradise has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 17
White Bird of Paradise has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 8
White Bird of Paradise has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 6
White Bird of Paradise has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 5
@Zazimazee avatar
@@Zazimazee
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 280 XP
03/22/2022

This isn’t an easy plant to care for

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@slitsavage avatar
@@slitsavage
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 34 XP
globe Monroe, OR
01/19/2022

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

Browns easily Browns easily
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@philipvpham avatar
@@philipvpham
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 427 XP
globe Kansas City, MO
01/18/2022

If I’m butter, if I’m butter

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@LegitTallsedge avatar
@@LegitTallsedge
leaf-1 14 Plants
xp 165 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
@greenvy avatar
@@greenvy
leaf-1 24 Plants
xp 1,185 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
@PlantEuphoria avatar
@@PlantEuphoria
leaf-1 74 Plants
xp 5,391 XP
globe 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 Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@queenvee avatar
@@queenvee
leaf-1 30 Plants
xp 1,901 XP
globe San Francisco, CA
12/10/2021

Very happy big girl. Loves her indoor sunshine.

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@calilaurel avatar
@@calilaurel
leaf-1 15 Plants
xp 792 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
Decklyn avatar
@Decklyn
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 78 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Charlotte avatar
@Charlotte
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 180 XP
09/10/2021

So beautiful and easy to tend to!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
@Lovedaynamarie avatar
@@Lovedaynamarie
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 65 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
@AmeliasOasis125 avatar
@@AmeliasOasis125
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 79 XP
globe Elon, NC
08/31/2021

It tends to tip over a little bit

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@Growit6979 avatar
@@Growit6979
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 77 XP
08/27/2021

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

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Colotte avatar
@Colotte
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 76 XP
globe Toronto, Ontario
08/25/2021

Very sensitive especially the new leaf, it breaks easily.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Fast grower Fast grower
@hi avatar
@@hi
leaf-1 31 Plants
xp 456 XP
globe 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 Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@Mariahmusic avatar
@@Mariahmusic
leaf-1 46 Plants
xp 1,552 XP
globe Milwaukee, WI
08/05/2021

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

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@Daniwinss avatar
@@Daniwinss
leaf-1 17 Plants
xp 635 XP
07/18/2021

Love how quickly it gets tall!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Rory avatar
@Rory
leaf-1 21 Plants
xp 489 XP
globe Moscow, ID
06/30/2021

big luscious beautiful plant that is strong and resilient

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@Tosha77 avatar
@@Tosha77
leaf-1 25 Plants
xp 1,997 XP
globe Baltimore, MD
06/25/2021

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

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@Steeze365daily avatar
@@Steeze365daily
leaf-1 36 Plants
xp 1,204 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 Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily

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