Plant Care Guide

Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae (orange) / Strelitzia nicolai (white)

The Bird of Paradise is a statement plant loved for its bold, banana-like leaves and dramatic, bird-shaped blooms. Native to South Africa, it thrives with bright light, steady moisture, and warmth. Indoors, flowering is uncommon without intense sun, but with the right bird of paradise plant care you’ll enjoy fast, architectural foliage growth and a lush, tropical vibe year-round. If you’re growing the white form (S. nicolai), expect a larger plant overall; the orange form (S. reginae) stays smaller and is the typical “flowering” houseplant.

Watering Requirements

Keep soil evenly moist, never soggy. Let the top layer dry slightly between waterings.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Water when the top 1–2" are dry (often weekly); in very bright light, check twice weekly.
  • Fall/Winter: Reduce frequency; allow the top 2–3" to dry before watering again.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Persistent wet soil, sour smell
  • Yellowing leaves + soft roots (early rot)

Signs of Underwatering

  • Curling or crispy edges
  • Lower, outer leaves yellow from drought stress

Pro Tips

Sensitive to mineral buildup—use rain, filtered, or rested tap water to minimize brown edges and keep bird of paradise care low-stress.

Light Requirements

High light is the engine for growth and any chance of blooms.

Ideal Placement

  • Indoors: Bright east/west window or a few feet from a sunny south window; acclimate to brief direct sun.
  • Outdoors (warm seasons): Morning sun + afternoon bright shade; shield from harsh midday rays when temps soar.

Too Much Light

  • Scorched patches on newer leaves in peak summer sun

Too Little Light

  • Slow growth, no flowers, long leaf stalks reaching toward windows

Pro Tips

Leaf splits are normal—an adaptive “sail” design that helps the plant handle wind. Don’t panic or over-prune for splits.

Soil and Potting

Well-draining but rich soil prevents rot while fueling rapid growth.

Best Soil Mix

  • High-quality potting mix + perlite/pumice for aeration + a bit of compost for fertility
  • pH slightly acidic to neutral (≈6.0–7.0)

Container Growing

  • Use a pot with ample drainage; upsize 1–2" only when roots circle or poke from holes
  • Mature plants prefer to be slightly pot-bound (can encourage flowering in S. reginae)

Pro Tips

Top-dress with compost in spring; it feeds slowly and improves moisture balance—core to reliable bird of paradise flower care.

Fertilizing

A steady feed supports those big leaves (and potential blooms).

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Balanced liquid feed every 4 weeks or slow-release granules at label rate
  • Fall–Winter: Pause or halve frequency as growth slows

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale foliage, thin growth → needs nitrogen and overall nutrition
  • No blooms on mature S. reginae → usually a light issue, but consistent feeding helps

Pro Tips

Flush pots with plain water every 2–3 months to clear salts—key for long-term birds of paradise care indoors.

Pruning and Maintenance

Minimal, routine cleanup keeps the plant tidy and photosynthesizing efficiently.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Remove yellow, torn, or old leaves at the base with clean pruners
  • Avoid hacking green, healthy leaves—each one powers growth

Maintenance Notes

  • Dust large leaves periodically so they can use all that light
  • Rotate the pot every few weeks for even, upright growth

Pro Tips

If size control is needed, prune at the base in late winter; follow with spring light and feeding to bounce back quickly.

Common Problems and Solutions

Brown Crispy Edges

  • Cause: Low humidity or hard water salts
  • Fix: Increase humidity; switch to filtered/rainwater

Yellowing Leaves

  • Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, or low light
  • Fix: Let topsoil dry further; improve mix/drainage; move to brighter location

No Flowers (on S. reginae)

  • Cause: Insufficient light; plant too young; frequent repotting
  • Fix: Provide 6+ hours bright light, keep slightly pot-bound, feed in season

Pests

  • Aphids, scale, spider mites, whiteflies love dry, dusty plants
  • Fix: Rinse leaves, wipe with insecticidal soap or neem; repeat weekly until clear

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Bird of Paradise is toxic if ingested by pets and humans—keep out of reach.

Pro Tips

Diagnose in this order: light → watering → humidity → nutrition. Most issues resolve once those four are dialed in—core to dependable how to care for bird of paradise success.