How to Grow and Care for A Bird of Paradise

The Strelitzia reginae, or the Bird of Paradise or Crane Plant, is a regal-looking indoor plant, and it is easy to see why! It has gloriously bright and bold blue and orange flowers shaped like an exotic bird, surrounded by large paddle-shaped leaves.

Though a slow grower, it is incredibly robust and can grow up to 5ft- 6ft, and usually flowers within the first 2 to 3 years of growth. This handy guide lets you dive into the exotic world of the Bird of Paradise!

LIGHT

The Bird of Paradise requires conditions similar to its native South Africa, which means SUN, SUN, SUN! As a sun worshiper, this plant will grow best on a western- or southern-facing window sill where it can receive between 6-8 hours of bright, direct sun. 

Placing your plant roughly 2 to 3 feet from the window will ensure optimal sun exposure without the threat of leaf burn. If it is not possible to give your Bird of Paradise direct sun exposure, it can also grow in indirect sun; but it will be a little slower to develop. 

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Artificial lighting or grow lights can effectively grow plants that need a lot of sun in shady spots! With grow lights, the world does become your oyster!

WATERING

As a humidity-loving plant, the Bird of Paradise should be kept moist, but make sure it does not become waterlogged. Let the top half of the soil dry out before watering again to avoid rot, and choose a pot with good drainage and water until it drains out the bottom. The Bird of Paradise does not like the chemicals in most tap water, so try to use filtered or rainwater. 

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While distilled or filtered water may seem expensive, it is not the only option! Fill a bowl with water and leave it for 24 hours - this will allow chlorine and any other nasties to evaporate away, and your plants will thank you for it!

TEMPERATURE

HOT, HOT, HOT! The Bird of Paradise loves conditions that mimic its native South Africa, meaning it flourishes between 60℉ and 85℉. Unfortunately, this plant will not tolerate frost, so keep it indoors when the weather cools in the fall. 

HUMIDITY

The Bird of Paradise likes high humidity ranging from 60% - 70%, Although it will tolerate 50% if needed. Keep a spray bottle nearby to give it a good mist with room-temperature water if the leaves become brown and crunchy.

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Placing your pot on a tray of wet pebbles is also an easy way to increase the humidity levels, as is sitting the plant near other plants. 

SOIL

As with all indoor plants, drainage is vital. Allow sufficient drainage in the bottom of the pot using gravel or stones. Use a slightly acidic and loamy soil (pH 5.5-6) rich in nutrients and organic matter. This mix should hold water well but not allow water to remain stagnant in the soil.

FERTILIZER

Caring for your Bird of Paradise is simple! From spring to autumn, feed the Bird of Paradise with a liquid feed every two weeks and reduce this to once a month in winter.

REPOTTING

The Bird of Paradise does like to be snug in their pot, so don’t fall into the trap of too large a pot. They don’t want to be repotted too often, affecting how well they flower. When you notice roots sticking out of the bottom of the pot, this is the best time to repot and replenish the soil. Make sure not to disturb the roots too!

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The Bird of Paradise plant will only flower when it reaches maturity, so patience is critical. Once the plant gets to about 3ft, you should start to see that it will begin producing flowers.

PROPAGATION

Propagating your Bird of Paradise is quick and easy. The best time to propagate your Bird of Paradise is during the spring. At this time, take your plant out of the pot, shake off the soil, and carefully separate it, ensuring each section has good rhizome growth. - Once this has been done, report your new Bird of Paradise plants with fresh compost and water. You can also grow Bird of Paradise from seed, which is tricky and takes a long time. It can take several months for the seeds to germinate. Gently scratch the surface of the seeds and leave them in water for a day or two. Plant in seed trays or pots and place in a sunny and warm window, and try to recreate a greenhouse environment by covering with plastic wrap or cling film. Once your plant is over 5 inches, you can transplant it into a bigger pot.

PESTS AND DISEASES

Mealybugs- Mealybugs love the sweet sap of new growth and show up on a Bird of Paradise as white tufts. They are greedy and can quickly destroy a Bird of Paradise, so clean the leaves and treat them with neem oil or an insecticide.

Spider Mites - The most straightforward way of telling if your Bird of Paradise has spider mites is little white spots on the leaves or webbing on the stems. Wipe the leaves to remove the spider mites, and then use use neem oil or an insecticide.

Scale - These appear as brown spots or a white sheen on the leaves and are often confused for water residue or dryness. Pests can live on the scale and cause a lot of damage. Again the best option is to use neem oil or an insecticide.

Leaf Curl -  This is typically down to underwatering and/or insufficient humidity. Water more often or give it a good mist, which should help.

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Insects thrive on dry leaves; by using a humidifier or misting the leaves often, the creepy crawlies will have nowhere to sit comfortably, which will help keep infestations at bay.

TOXICITY

Although beautiful, Birds of Paradise are mildly toxic if ingested, so keep away from your furry friends.

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