Bird of paradise care guide

The bird of paradise has big, paddle-shaped leaves and, in the right spot, orange and blue flowers shaped like a bird’s head. It wants more sun than most houseplants. Give it your brightest window and it grows into a striking plant.

This guide covers the orange bird of paradise. The giant white bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, needs the same care and grows much bigger.

Light

Give it the sunniest spot you have. A south or west window is ideal. Several hours of direct sun a day keeps it strong and helps it bloom.

In low light, the stems stretch and the plant never flowers.

Water

Water when the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, let it dry a bit more.

Yellow leaves with wet soil mean too much water. Curled leaves with dry soil mean too little. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a rich, well-draining houseplant mix with some perlite.

Birds of paradise bloom best a little snug in their pot. Repot every two to three years in spring, one size up. Use a heavy pot so it does not tip. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F), away from cold drafts.

Summer outside

In a cold climate, a summer outside gives it the sun it craves. Move it out once nights stay above 10°C (50°F). Start it in shade for a week or two, then move it into sun. Bring it back in before fall nights drop below 10°C (50°F).

Feeding

Feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Skip fall and winter.

Pruning

Cut old, brown, or broken leaves off at the base. Cut spent flowers at the base of their stalk.

Split leaves

The leaves split along their veins as they grow. This is normal. In the wild, the splits let wind pass through without tearing the leaf apart. Dry air and bumps make more splits.

Getting it to flower

Birds of paradise need to be mature to bloom, often three to five years old. To help it along:

1. Give it as much sun as you can.
2. Keep it snug in its pot.
3. Feed it in spring and summer.
4. Give it a summer outside in a cold climate.

Propagation

Divide a big clump in spring. Ease it out of the pot and cut the root ball into pieces, each with a few stems and good roots. Pot each one up and keep it out of hot sun for a few weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
No flowers	Too young, not enough sun, or a big pot
Split leaves	Normal, more so in dry air
Curled leaves	Thirsty
Yellow leaves, wet soil	Too much water
Brown, crispy edges	Dry soil or dry air
Leaning, stretched stems	Not enough light

Pests

Mealybugs and scale hide where the leaves meet the stems. Spider mites show up in dry air. Wipe the big leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks and check underneath.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists bird of paradise as toxic to cats and dogs. Most of the risk is in the fruit and seeds. Eating it can cause mild nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew.

Varieties

• Orange bird of paradise has orange and blue flowers and grows 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) tall indoors.
• White bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, has huge leaves and grows 2 to 3 m (6 to 10 ft) tall indoors. It seldom flowers inside.
• ‘Mandela’s Gold’ has yellow and blue flowers.
• Strelitzia juncea has leaves like tall reeds, with almost no leaf blade.