Table of Contents
What Is a Bird of Paradise Plant?
The Bird of Paradise plant is known as such a queen of house plants. It’s also known as “Strelitzia reginae,” a tropical herbaceous plant endemic to South Africa that strongly resembles a banana. It has shiny, broad foliage that look like banana leaves. Indoors, this plant can be grown to be over 6 feet tall, and it requires at least 3-5 yrs for it to blossom.
6 Bird of Paradise Plant Care Instructions
1. Sunlight for your Bird of Paradise Plant
The sunlight is a favorite of Bird of Paradise Plants! This shrub can withstand direct and strong sun. So it is recommended to place it so that it gets light most of the time. However, keep in mind that much of the sunlight, especially during the hot summer midday, might cause the plants to burn.
2. Bird of Paradise Plants Need Proper Temperature and Humidity
Considering the Bird of Paradise plant is a tropical species, it thrives in a warmer and humid environment. So ideally it needs to stay between 65°-85°F and not to be below 60°F. It’s also good to do regular misting to keep the humidity level high about 40-50% to keep your Bird of Paradise Plant happy.
3. Soil for your Bird of Paradise Plant
Bird of Paradise plants can indeed be grown in any condition potted plant soil. To oxygenate the soil, a blend of perlite and volcanic rock is suitable.
4. Bird of Paradise Plants Need Water
Paradise plants maintain a steady level of moisture, but not to the point of becoming damp. Regular watering is recommended especially in growing season and less in dormant season. You can water it until the water flows at the drainage of the pot and let 50% of the soil to dry before watering.
5. Feeding Your Bird of Paradise Plants
Birds of Paradise is a heavy feeder so it will be better to feed your plants once a month during spring and summer with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer to put out new huge leaves. Don’t fertilize your plants during winter and fall. This will result to leaf tip burn due to overfeeding.
6.Common Problems
Yellowing lower leaves- the main cause for this is over-watering and poor drainage of the pot and too much water. To avoid this, make sure that there is proper drainage at the bottom of the pot or use a container with several draining holes.
Curling and wilting leaves- most likely the reason for this is the plants not getting enough water and moisture or even low humidity levels. Keeping the soil consistently moist will prevent this. You can mist or use a humidifier regularly to increase the level of the humidity
Insects and Pests- Aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, and other parasites attack the Birds of Paradise plant. You can easily spot this and address it using a damp sponge with soapy water on the leaves. You can also use neem oil as a plant pesticide.
You can have the Bird of Paradise Plant as a striking part of your home decor and have it for years to come! Not only is it eye-catching, it’s also easy to grow.