February 21, 2025

Essential Tips for Caring for Bird of Paradise Plant Successfully

Understanding the Bird of Paradise Plant

What is a Bird of Paradise Plant?

The Bird of Paradise plant is a tropical herbaceous plant native to South Africa, where it grows along the coasts among shrubs by the riverbanks. Bird of Paradise is known for its striking foliage but more so for its dramatic colorful flowers, resembling the head of a bird. This flower can range in colors from orange to midnight blue to white, with an elegant crane-like shape.

Oragnge Bird of Paradise bloom amongst a sea of Bird of Paradise foliage

Oragnge Bird of Paradise bloom amongst a sea of Bird of Paradise foliage
Photo by Thimo van Leeuwen on Unsplash

The Bird of Paradise is closely related to the banana plant, scientifically known as Musaceae. It's easy to confuse the Banana Plant for the Bird of Paradise plant due to its paddle-shaped leaves and natural leaf splitting.

This species of plant can grow up to 30 feet tall with leaves spanning 3-4 feet across, if given proper care and space. Bird of paradise make great outside plants, if you live in warmer regions. But, if kept indoors it's important you dedicate a lot of space to growing it as well as plenty of sunlight.

Choosing the Right Bird of Paradise Plant

Types of Bird of Paradise Plants

There are five subspecies of bird-of-paradise plants, including S. reginae, S. juncea, S. nicolai, S. caudata, and S. alba. Each subspecies has its own unique characteristics and flower colors. And depending on the atmosphere you're aiming for will determine the type of Bird of paradise you want to purchase. However, the rarity of some of these species will vary. Some, you may be able to buy at a big box store while others will need to be purchased online or require more searching.

1. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

The most common type of Bird of paradise you'll come across and, most likely, the one that you imagine in your head when thinking of this plant. The Strelitzia regina is the smaller form of Bird of paradise with bright orange blooms. This plant will grow 10-12 feet tall and will start to bloom when it reaches maturity. This one is ideal if you still want the look of the classic Bird of paradise but want a slightly smaller version.

S. Reginae producing a new leaf

2. Giant Bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

This Bird of paradise, give the common name, should tell you it's a giant form of the Strelitzia. This is the one that will require tall ceilings if you want to grow it indoors. However, it'll make a beautiful outdoor plant if you live in warmer region areas. The Nicolai has leaves shaped like banana leaves versus the Reginae that has leaves shaped more like boat paddles.

3. White Bird of paradise (Strelitzia Alba)

Strelitzia Alba is another form of Strelitzia regina but has white flowers instead of the iconic orange.

4. Narrow Leaved Bird of paradise (Strelitzia juncea)

This is a great option if you want ground cover for an outdoor area. This Bird of paradise has thin, reed like leaves that grows in clumps rather than big banana shaped leaves. The flowers are similar to that of the Reginae but are slightly smaller.

Selecting a Healthy Paradise Plant

Once you decide on the type of Bird of paradise you want, selecting a healthy specimen is important. When selecting a healthy Bird of paradise, make sure to look our for any noticeable signs of pests. This make look like an abnormal amount of yellowing leaves, any webbing on the backs of the leaves, or any tiny crawlers on the tops of the leaves. Next, you want to make sure the plant is from a place that has decent knowledge of plant care. In many big box stores, they'll leave houseplants sitting in pots of water. This is a sure fire way to bring home a plant that has root rot.

Yellow Bird of Paradise bloom

Yellow Bird of Paradise bloom
Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash

However, if you have to order your Bird of paradise online, make sure it's from a reputable seller.

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions

Lighting Requirements: What is enough light for Bird of paradise plant?

Bird of paradise are a great, drought tolerant plant. They require pretty minimal care and will thrive as long as given the right amount of light. If you're growing your Bird of paradise as an indoor plant, you'll want to put it in a West or South facing window or anywhere it'll receive bright indirect sunlight. Insufficient light, may lead to leaf drop and slower growth. If your Bird of paradise was growing previously in a lower light area, you can place it in indirect sunlight and slowly acclimate it to brighter light.

However, if you plant on growing your Bird of paradise as an outdoor plant, you'll need to be mindful of the direct sunlight it receives. Direct sun outdoors will scorch leaves faster than any direct sun indoors. Place your Bird of paradise in a shaded area or under a shade cloth if you think an area has too much full sun.

Temperature and Humidity for a Thriving Bird of Paradise

When growing the Bird of paradise indoor, you'll need to treat it like most tropical plants. Meaning, keeping the temperature above 65°F for optimal growth. If you want to grow it outdoors, keep a watch of your Bird of paradise anytime temperatures soar over 80°F. It may require more waterings in hotter temperatures.

A large, colorful Bird of Paradise bloom surrounded by large leaves

A large, colorful Bird of Paradise bloom surrounded by large leaves
Photo by Olia Bondarenko on Unsplash

For humidity, Bird of paradise don't require a ridiculous amount of humidity. While, they'll enjoy a humid environment (anything about 50% humidity), they'll do fine in lower humidity levels. The biggest thing to keep in mind is when a new leaf is unfurling. If the humidity is lower while the leaf is emerging, mist the leaf or use a moist paper towel to help it unfurl without tearing.

Watering

Watering Needs: How to Keep Your Bird of Paradise Plant Hydrated

Bird of paradise have chunky, thick roots. And a plant with thick, chunky roots can tolerate dry soil. The Bird of paradise won't throw a fit over a missed watering. However, don't let the soil stay dry for too long and don't keep the soil moist. You will start to notice limp leaves when the plant is too dry. Make sure to plant it in well draining soil. If you want tips on how to create a well draining soil mix, read here.

Pruning: How to Keep Your Plant Looking Its Best

  • Prune your Bird of paradise plant regularly to keep it looking nice and to help encourage new growth.

  • Remove dead leaves and old flower stalks to reduce the risk of fungal disease. To learn more about fungal disease in houseplants, read here.

  • Prune the leaf stem or flower stalk at the base of the plant.

  • You can cut around the edges of the plant if you're bothered by browning tips.

Propagation: How to Multiply Your Paradise Plants

Bird of paradise can't be propagated by cutting by a node, like many other houseplants. In order to propagate a bird of paradise plants you'll need to do it division or sowing seeds.

Common Issues and Solutions

Common Pests and Diseases Affecting Bird of Paradise Plants

  • Monitor the plant for any type of plant pests, most commonly you may see: aphids, scale, and whiteflies.

  • Some ways to prevent pest is to use a systemic granule in the soil and wipe down the leaves. Preventing an excess amount of dust accumulation on the leaves helps keeps pests at bay.

  • Use insecticidal soap or systemic pesticides incase you have an outbreak. Read here for out tips on how to manage houseplant pests.

  • Remove severely affected parts of the plant.

Troubleshooting Common Problems: Brown or Curling Leaves, Slits in Leaves, Yellowing Leaves

  • Brown or curling leaves can be caused by underwatering, too much heat or too low humidity. If you run into this problem, try one thing at a time for a few weeks to pinpoint what will help.

  • Slits in leaves are a normal adaptive precaution of the Bird of paradise, to help the plant bear strong winds in its natural habitat. Similar to why Monsteras have fenestrations in their leaves. You'll start to notice the splitting leaves as the Bird of paradise matures.

Encouraging Blooms

How to Encourage Your Bird of Paradise Plant to Bloom

  • Provide optimal growing conditions, including bright indirect light and proper fertilization.

  • Keep the plant slightly pot-bound to promote blooming.

  • Reduce watering and increase light for a short period to stress the plant and encourage blooming.

  • Also, mature plants are most likely to bloom. So, if all else fails, maybe more time is needed.