Bird of Paradise Plants Things You Need to Know

Botanical Name: Strelitzia Nicolai

Common Name: Bird of Paradise

 

What Is a Strelitzia Nicolai Plant?

Plant Description:

Described as a plant that resembles the shape of a bird in paradise, the plant Bird of Paradise is the queen of indoor plants. Its leaves are like the leaves of the banana tree and its blooms are vibrant in color, making it an ideal houseplant if you want a tropical flair indoors. The plant is sturdy and long-lasting, easy to care for because of its ability to adapt to a new environment. It can tolerate all types of light conditions, but it grows best under bright, sunny spot.

The plant also needs water and extra humidity. Being a plant native to the regions of South Africa, it enjoys the warm temperature and consistent moisture.

Growing Bird of Paradise indoors may not yield fabulous blooms because of limited sunlight, but its foliage is amazingly majestic. It is an ideal plant to grow for a unique statement.

Interesting Fact:

The leaves of the Bird of Paradise plant naturally breaks and have slits, but it is not something to worry about. The slit on the leaves normally occurs to allow the plant to survive the strong winds and rain in the tropics.

 

Bird of Paradise Plant Care

Considered as the queen of indoor plants, the gorgeous tropical plant, the Bird of Paradise, shines for its beautiful features. Taking care of it is not difficult because it is a hardy plant that can survive and thrive in any environment.  

 

How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Plant?

To grow your Bird of Paradise plant indoors, follow this guide and instruction. It includes the proper watering of the plant, and the best light, temperature, humidity, and extra care it needs to grow healthy.

 

Bird of Paradise

·         LIGHT

The Bird of Paradise plant is a type of plant that can survive the indoor environment even in its low to medium light condition. However, if you want to care for the plant so it flourishes, a sunny spot in your home is the most ideal place for it.

·         WATER

Moisture and water are vital for the plant’s health and growth, especially during the dry and warm seasons. However, the soil should not be wet and soggy to prevent its roots from rotting. During the winter cold months, let the soil get dry in between watering to prevent “wet feet.”  It is best to keep the plant dry than to leave it wet but rotting.

·         HUMIDITY

Humidity is also appreciated. You can give your plant occasional misting during the dry season or when the humidity level in the room is too low. Misting it once in a while will also help remove the dust and clean the leaves.

·         TEMPERATURE

The Bird of Paradise plant enjoys an average room temperature of 65 to 80 degrees. It loves the warm temperature, but it can survive low temperatures as well.

·         FOOD

In the spring and summer seasons, the Bird of Paradise plant needs monthly feeding. It is a type of plant that gets hungry easily because it tends to grow quickly. In winter, skip feeding the plant because it has to rest.

·         ADDITIONAL CARE

The Bird of Paradise plant needs salt-free water. If you are using tap water, you may need to let the water stay overnight on its container to allow the residue of salt, chlorine, and fluoride to drop or evaporate before giving it to the plant. Distilled water and filtered water are also a better choice.

·         TOXICITY

The Bird of Paradise plant is found to contain a level of toxicity in its leaves. The toxin may affect pets and humans when ingested.

 

Common Problems in Caring for Bird of Paradise

How to Promote Blooming in Bird of Paradise Plant?

The gorgeous plant of Bird of Paradise brings nature into any living spaces. It can turn any room into a tropical-like environment. While it can be easy to care for, it may be a bit problematic to promote the plant into bloom.

Blooming may seem impossible for Bird of Paradise if it is grown indoors. But it can be achieved. In the wild and tropical environment, this plant gets more than the sunlight that it needs, and the humidity out there is just perfect for its needs. However, there are several things that you can try if you want your plant to bloom. Aside from a sunny spot, here are a few things to give your Bird of Paradise to bloom indoors:

·         Give Your Plant A Lot of Patience

Patience is the key to growing and promoting the Bird of Paradise plant to bloom in your home. On average, the plant takes 4 to 5 years to mature and bloom, if kept in good and healthy condition.

·         Give Your Plant a Permanent Home

This is the type of plant that hates repotting. By keeping it snug on its pot, and by allowing it to grow there long term, the roots will not be disturbed. The most common mistake why this plant fails to bloom is because of frequent repotting. Let it grow wide and tall in its pot even if you notice some roots stretching out of its pot. Its roots, in fact, love to grow crowded in the same pot. By keeping the plant in the best condition, and by avoiding re-pot, the plant will bloom in four or five years. Even after blooming, leave the plant on its pot to promote re-bloom year after year.

·         Give Your Plant a Sunny Spot

To promote blooming in your Bird of Paradise plant, give it consistent light on a sunny spot. The plant grows weak and undernourished if it lacks sunlight. The requirement for this plant is full sun exposure for four to six hours long each day.

·         Give Your Plant Consistent Moisture

Another way to promote blooming in your Bird of Paradise plant at home is to give it consistent moisture, especially during the active growth period and throughout the summer season. However, make sure that the soil dries out a bit before giving the plant water.

·         Give Your Plant Food

Fertilize the plant during the spring and summer season in the recommended amount of plant food. During the winter season while the plant is at rest and slowly growing, avoid feeding your plant with fertilizer.

Wishing you good luck with your effort to bloom your Bird of Paradise at home! Share to us your experience and some updates about how your plant blooms.

 

Why the leaves of Bird of Paradise curl up and dry?

It is a common problem for Bird of Paradise plant when kept indoors. The leaves dry up and curl because of several reasons such as the following:

·         Moisture and Humidity Level Is Too Low

The bird of Paradise plant requires moisture and humidity but it should be on a specific level. Although it may be difficult to tell how much water the plant exactly needs, there are ways to know if the soil is dry and thirsty. If the soil is dry in 2” to 3” from the top of the soil, it means that the plant needs water. Let the water flow through the soil down to the drainage hole. Make sure that the soil drained the water completely. If excess water is left on the saucer, remove it immediately.

Another option to remedy excess dryness of soil is to give the plant a thorough water soaking. If the potted plant is light to carry, you can place it in a tub, basin, or sink filled with at least 3” to 4” of water. Let the water get through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and reach the soil. After 45 minutes of being soaked in water, check the soil if it already absorbed the water. In case the soil is still dry, let water flow slowly from the top until it reaches the bottom. Drain the water from the sink or basin and leave the plant there for a while to rest. After a few minutes, bring the plant back to its favorite sunny spot.

In addition, you can also increase moisture and humidity by giving your plant once or twice a week some plant misting. You can also add a humidifier and a pebble tray in the room for added moisture.

·         Quality of Water is Poor

Poor water quality affects the growth of the plant. The Bird of Paradise plant does not enjoy tap water that contains too much chlorine, fluoride, minerals, and sodium. These contents tend to build up and pile up in the soil and eventually damage the plant. You will notice the effect in the leaves that turn into brown color and curl. To avoid this effect on your plant, it is best to use filtered water and distilled water. But if you don’t have a water filtration system at home, you can use the water in a container left overnight.

·         Plant is Placed near Heating Machines

When the plant is placed near heating machines, and even cooling vents that emit warm airflow, the leaves will tend to dry and curl. Make sure that the plant is in a safe area to prevent the leaves from drying.