Bird Of Paradise Plant Care

Bird Of Paradise Plant Care Instructions

This article will explain Bird Of Paradise plant care instructions. By following this guideline, you should have no problem keeping your Bird Of Paradise not only surviving, but thriving for years to come. The Bird Of Paradise is of the most stunning indoor plants used in homes, offices and interior landscapes due to their exotic appearance and the occasional but impressive flowers. The Bird of Paradise is also known as Strelitzia, or more commonly the Crane Flower. They are native to South Africa but are commonly grown outdoors in the warmer parts of the United States and indoors around the world. The Bird of Paradise if best known for it’s banana shaped leaves and bird shaped tropical flowers.

Varieties

Birds of Paradise are commonly grown as a tree form and are often mistaken for a palm. The two most common varieties that are available are the White Bird of Paradise and the Orange Bird Of Paradise. The White Bird tends to grow taller in appearance, while the Orange Bird is a smaller variety with thinner leaves. Birds of Paradise are available in 8, 10, 12,14 and 17in pot sizes – special orders for larger sizes are available as well. The heights will vary depending on what variety of plant is available, but Birds of Paradise can reach heights over 10-15′. They provide a great alternative to a standard Marginata or Fiddle Leaf Fig in an interior or office environment with suitable lighting.

White Bird Of Paradise

Lighting Requirements

Birds of Paradise do best in well-lit locations such as a window sill that has an Eastern exposure. Bright indirect sunlight is optimal. Birds of Paradise can also be grown outdoors in the warmer months when there is no chance of frost. If you have less than optimal lighting available, the plant may adapt and survive – but bright light is highly recommended. From our experience Birds Of Paradise are an excellent choice for a room or office with good window space.

Temperature Requirements

The Bird Of Paradise is a great house or office plant because it prefers the same temperatures that many living situations are kept at on a daily basis. Night time temperatures in the lower 60’s and day time temperatures in the 70’s are ideal. Keep in mind that although your home or office are kept at these average temperatures, other factors may play a part in your plant being too hot or cold. Make sure that your Bird of Paradise is not directly affected by a heating or air conditioner vent. The direct cold or hot air will surely damage your plant. You also want to keep an eye on the window if you place your plant in one. On very cold days, the glass will transfer the cold – and if the leaves from your Bird Of Paradise are pressed against the glass, they will become damaged. It is never a good idea to have your plant up against any window or wall. You will also want to avoid any drafts in colder climates. A cold gust of wind from being placed near a door or window that opens could also damage your plant.

Watering Bird Of Paradise

The most important thing to keep in mind when watering Bird of Paradise are that you want to avoid creating a situation that promotes root rot. In our homes and offices, we keep them in a light, well-draining soil. They prefer to be kept on the moist side, but not so moist that it sits in water. There is not specific amount or frequency of water that we can suggest because the lighting, temperature and evaporation rates differ in every home and office – but on average you probably should not be watering your Bird Of Paradise more than 4 times per month. The quantity of water that you give the plant depends on the pot size and how dry/moist the soil is. You will need to develop a feel for the proper amount of water. Try to water at an even amount of moisture, not letting your plant get soaking wet and then allowing it to become dry to the touch. Do not let water accumulate in the crown or cups that the leaves. Moderation is key. Any planter that allows for evaporation, air flow and water drainage works well. Once you develop the “feel” for watering, you will be able to judge when to water by picking up the plant. The heavier the plant feels, the more moisture there is in the growing medium. If the plant is too large to lift, a water meter is well worth the investment.

Are Your Plants Leaf Tips Turning Brown?

A common problem with Bird of Paradise and almost all indoor houseplants is what we call “tipping” or simply the tips of the leaves drying out and turning brown. This can be caused by a number of factors including over-watering, chemical burn from too much fertilizer, Root rot and dry stagnant air. Probably the most common reason your plant is tipping could be in the tap water. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn and turn brown. One way you can reduce this is to use a water filtration system. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving he water in an open container overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine.

Fertilizing Bird of Paradise

Do house plant fertilizers work? Definitely. Bird Of Paradise, like every other living thing need a source of energy. The plants take in their nutrients from the light, water and potting medium they are planted in. That medium only holds so much, and when the nutrients are depleted, fertilizer is the only source left. People who grow house plants without repotting and fertilizing regularly are essentially starving the plants and holding them back from their full potential. There are many different fertilizers on the market and they come in many forms. There are water soluble fertilizers, ready to use liquid, liquid concentrate, fertilizer spikes, time release granules and many others. Which fertilizer works best? That is up for you to decide. We prefer a ready to use liquid simply for the convenience of use. We also dilute the fertilizer and use every time we water so there is a constant stream of nutrients being fed to the plants.

Bird Of Paradise Disease and Insects

Bird of Paradise plants are not often susceptible to insect infestation when grown indoors. The most common problems that can occur though are mealy bugs and scale. Both of these issues can be resolved quite easily if spotted early and treated properly. In most cases, a simple treatment of insecticidal soap or a solution of rubbing alcohol and water will do the trick. If you are having problems with your plant and not sure of the right solution, contact us and we will be happy to provide the best product for your issue.

Do you have a question about Bird of Paradise or any other plant that was not answered here? Please feel free to contact us at 201-794-4747 and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members. We would be happy to help.

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