Many often mistake these plants for being banana trees because they look similar to banana plants. Unlike other types of exotic animals, the bird of paradise produces beautiful white bird plumage. Bird of paradise is named for the beautiful, orange flowers it produces. It is possible to grow these beautiful creatures inside under the right conditions including full exposure to southern light and sufficient humidity and temperature – though it is very rare.
The Bird of Paradise has a naturally split-leaf shape to reduce drag in the wind. This is done by tearing or splitting their leaves’ lateral seams – creating natural air gaps that allow the wind to flow around them instead of snapping them in two.
Growing Conditions for Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae, or crane flower, originates in South Africa and is named for its unusual flowers, which resemble brightly colored birds flying. Crane flowers require strong sunlight and warm temperatures to flourish. In USDA zones 9-11, it can survive outside all year long; for those who live elsewhere, it works well indoors in containers during warmer months and then moves back outside for colder seasons.
Though the plant itself isn’t difficult to take care of, proper cultural conditions are required for optimal growth. Strelitzia Bird-of-Paradise appreciates rich soil that drains well, and it will flower most when it has plenty of direct sunlight – though indoor plants should be placed slightly away from southern windows in order to prevent overheating. Additionally, those growing them outside in deserts should consider planting them where they will receive some partial shade during the day instead of full sun exposure all day long.
Bird of Paradise in Containers
When it feels dry to the touch, stop watering it. Water it until the soil is saturated. Water less in the winter. Bird of paradise flowers need a lot of fertilizer so feed them from early spring through late summer months with a soluble plant food made specifically for flowering plants.
Do not plant birds of paradise too deeply in their pots. Some say that it helps promote flowers when you expose the roots a little bit. If you grow plants in pots for too long, they will produce fewer blooms. When you need to report, make sure that there isn’t anything blocking the root growths from stretching out and taking up space. You should probably do this around every three years or so, during the springtime months. Place container plants outside during summer – just make sure to take them inside before fall rolls around!
Bird of Paradise Care
Depending on where you live, it may take about 5+ years for those first blooms to happen so patience is key here! There are the same pest and disease issues with bird of paradise plants, such as mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Wipe off the leaves if there is too much dust on them – use clean water only! The most common diseases include fungus so make sure to water underneath the plant’s leaves rather than above them – this prevents roots from rotting due to excessive watering!
Placement
A Strelitzia Nicolai, also known as a bird of paradise, has stunning large tropical leaves that can grow up to 20′ in the wilds of southern Africa. In human spaces, it grows about 3′-8′, but still ranks among many plant enthusiasts’ favorite plants because of its magnificent foliage. If you’re not sure how much sun it needs, make sure you place it in a spot with ample sun—the only condition it cannot tolerate is low light levels.
Routine Maintenance
Before you give it a drink, make sure to check the moisture level in the soil first so you don’t accidentally over or underwater it. As well as checking the moisture under a planter, a soil probe can also be used to aerate overly wet soil.
Birds of Paradise need moist but not soggy dirt and are happiest when given ample time to dry out before getting another drink. Ideally, allow the top 2 – 3 of dirt to get thoroughly dry before giving them another drink, but they really love self-watering pots because they can never accidentally drown themselves.
When you notice these splits, try rotating your plant for continued growth on all sides and make sure it’s kept away from drafts. If you live in a dry climate, you’ll need to supplement the dry air with extra humidity sources such as a pebble tray or humidifier so the plants can continue photosynthesizing properly. To dust off your plant, use a spray bottle and microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean each leaf (taking care not to miss any spots). For extra measure, inspect the underside of each leaf too – this is where many pests tend to hide!
How to grow a bird of paradise plant
Growing bird of paradise plants isn’t difficult, but they do need specific growing conditions—warmth, bright light, and humidity. They also require plenty of space; their leaves can grow up to two meters tall. Keeping the air humid can be done by placing a pot on top of pebbles with water (to soak up the moisture) or you could just spray the plant frequently.
Light is key for this type of plant; they do best when given lots of light during the spring and summer months while being watered less often in the fall and winter seasons. Dusting off the leaves once in a while will keep them from getting too dirty too quickly. When new roots start appearing at the surface level, it’s time to report your bird of paradise plant.
Where to grow a bird of paradise plant
Grow your strelitzia near an area where it can get plenty of sunlight but not too much heat – either early or late in the day. Avoid letting temperatures drop below ten degrees Celsius during winter. It needs to live in a humid environment, so somewhere sunny and moist – such as your bathroom or conservatory – would be perfect for this plant.
How to plant a bird of paradise plant
Plant in a 3:1 mixture of soil-based compost (such as John Innes No.3) and coarse material such as gravel or sand. To avoid remaining wet for long periods of time, make sure that the pot is equipped with adequate drainage holes.
Caring for a bird of paradise plant
Keep the soil moist (but not soaked) from April to September. Water the compost less from autumn through winter. Allow it to dry out before you water it again. Put it on pebbles and water in a tray or mist it daily. Wipe off leaves occasionally for a clean look.
Open up windows in summer for more circulation. If your strelitzia seems slightly root-bound, don’t worry! Let it sit snugly in its pot until its roots are visible at the top of the compost; then just plant it into a slightly larger one in springtime while replacing the uppermost layer of compost with fresh stuff all along until then – this will give your plants new life!
Propagating Bird of Paradise Plants
The bird of paradise can be challenging to propagate because seedlings take at least three years to bloom, and sometimes up to seven years. It might not be a good idea to ask your friend to give you some birds; plants damaged in this way can take two or three years to get back to normal.
Keep it in bright, indirect light– rather than sunlight– for just a few months until it becomes established before gradually moving it to a brighter spot such as one under fluorescent lights which typically takes about two or three years for these little guys to grow into something worth admiring and enjoying.
Safety Considerations
Pets who consume strelitzia seeds and/or fruits (seed pods) can experience vomiting or sleepiness. With these small, roundish, fuzzy orange seed pods, the possibility of a pet or child choking exist. As such, it is important to remove any spent flowers from your plant to prevent new seedpods from forming. These large plants often are grown in heavy soil for support which means it needs to be positioned where there is no potential for falling over; otherwise said plant becomes the nightmare flower of death!
Bird of Paradise Characteristics
The bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia spp) is native to South Africa and grows well in USDA zones 9b through 12. It has a horizontal beak (spathe) that resembles the shape of a bird’s head. It contains 3 different types of petals – blue, orange, and green-blue. Although they can grow up to 6 feet tall, S. reginae has paddle-like leaves while S. juncea has rushed for leaves.
Strelitzia Nicolai, Streptizia Caudata, and Streptizia lba all share one distinguishing characteristic: blue petals. Although these flowers share the same color in their blossoms, there are slight differences between each variety. Strelitzia Nicolai has a height of around thirty feet, while both Streptizia Caudata and strelitzia alba only reach around twenty feet tall at most.
All three grow leaves resembling those of bananas but with even longer stems– an indicator that they’re Streptizias rather than banana trees. Appropriately enough for its namesake, it’s also these bird-of-paradise trees that attract birds to come feast on them; which earns them their other name: bird-of-paradise trees.
Potential Pests and Diseases
Leaf foliage is usually tolerant of freezing – it may tolerate temperatures as low as 28 degrees – but freezing temperatures can harm buds and flowers. There is a possibility that the Bird of Paradise will be attacked by termites, scale, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, which are common houseplant pests. In general, pests like these are easy to wipe away with a damp cloth or sponge (though you may need to scrub them off sometimes).
How can I tell if my Bird of Paradise is getting enough light?
Symptoms that indicate a lack of light include extreme leaf splitting, drooping leaves, leaves that refuse to open at all – even after a period of time – and discolored leaves (brown or yellow). These plants also tend to struggle with water absorption because they need sunlight to work properly; this means they may become overwatered if they don’t receive enough sunlight.
Light
The Bird of Paradise plant needs brighter indirect lighting and an abundance of light at all times. The plant grows quite large, so it requires quite a bit of space in order to thrive. It also needs plenty of light in order to bloom indoors–though this seldom happens!
Water
Before watering, let the soil dry out a couple of inches and then saturate the soil until excess water drains through the pot. Because this plant requires a lot of natural light, you may need to water it more frequently since the soil tends to dry out more quickly. The frequency of watering your Bird of Paradise should be reduced during the fall and winter.
Temperature
Strelitzia Nicolai, or the bird of paradise, prefers temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During these summer months, bring Bird of Paradise indoors if the temperatures drop below 60°F at night. It does not like being cold.
Humidity
Placing the Bird of Paradise in an area that naturally provides higher levels of moisture, such as the bathroom or near a humidifier, may be enough to keep its needs met. Alternately, using a pebble tray filled with water may provide enough moisture without increasing the temperature significantly.
Fertilization
When fertilizing your bird of paradise during the warmer months, dilute a general-purpose liquid fertilizer by half. Avoid fertilizing your bird of paradise during colder months as it can cause leaf tip burn.
Insects and Pests
Among the most common insect pests that affect birds of paradise are scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. Fortunately, these pests are easily spotted and addressed with a quick wipe-down using a soft cloth or soapy water. Alcohol-based sprays and pesticides could damage the delicate leaf surface.
FAQ about Pothos Plant Care
How much sun does a bird of paradise need?
The plant reportedly requires at least four to six hours of sunlight per day to bloom.
How often should I water my bird of paradise?
Water it enough to keep it evenly moist during summer, but allow it to almost dry out before watering it again during winter.
Can the bird of paradise be in full sun?
Yes, the plant usually prefers as much sun as it can get when grown indoors.
Does the bird of paradise-like coffee grounds?
Although coffee grounds are a good addition to compost, they might block air from the soil and cause mold if used on houseplants. They also might draw fruit flies.
