Bird of paradise plant care guide
Strelitzia nicolai
Bird of paradise plants (Strelitzia) bring huge, banana-like paddle leaves to bright rooms, and the orange-flowered species is one of the most recognizable flowers in the world. Indoors they're statement plants for sunny lobbies and living rooms; in warm climates they're garden staples.
This guide covers indoor and outdoor care, light, watering, winter care, pruning, getting flowers, Florida care and common problems, plus the differences between white, orange, giant and Mexican bird of paradise.
Bright, indirect light · Direct sun
About once a week
Moderate
Not pet-safe
Where to water it
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
When: When the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry.
Where to put it
In a bright window with some direct sun. Leaves naturally split in the wind, which is normal.
Common mistakes
- Too little light, which stops new leaves
- Small pots, which tip over
- Panicking about split leaves
Bird of paradise care at a glance
Care instructions for a potted bird of paradise indoors.
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright light with several hours of direct sun. |
| Water | When the top 2 to 3 inches are dry, about once a week. |
| Temperature | 65°F to 85°F indoors. Protect from frost. |
| Humidity | Above 50% keeps leaves from curling and browning. |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining potting mix. |
| Fertilizer | Every 2 to 4 weeks in spring and summer. |
| Pruning | Remove dead leaves and spent flowers at the base. |
| Pets | Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. |
Direct or indirect sunlight?
Both, ideally. Bird of paradise plants want the brightest spot you have: a south or west window with several hours of direct sun is best. They tolerate bright, indirect light, but grow slower and won't flower there.
Too little light shows as no new leaves, leggy stems and leaves that don't open fully. Move plants into stronger sun gradually to avoid scorch.
How often to water a bird of paradise
Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry: about once a week in spring and summer indoors, every 2 to 3 weeks in winter. Water deeply until it drains. Use filtered water if your tap water is hard, since salts brown the leaf edges.
Curling leaves usually mean thirst or dry air. Yellowing lower leaves and a soggy base mean too much water.
Pruning a bird of paradise
Cut dead, brown or badly damaged leaves off at the base of the stem with clean pruners, as close to the soil as you can. Cut spent flower stalks off at the base too, and remove seed pods unless you want to collect seeds.
Split leaves are natural. In the wild, the leaves split in the wind so they don't tear off the plant. Only remove a split leaf if it's also browning.
Outdoors, clean up old leaves and flower stalks in early spring. For Mexican (red) bird of paradise shrubs, which are a different plant, cut back hard to 6 to 12 inches in late winter.
Getting a bird of paradise to flower
Orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) flowers once it's 3 to 5 years old, with plenty of direct sun, regular feeding in spring and summer, and slightly crowded roots. Don't repot it too often.
White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) rarely flowers indoors. It's grown for its huge leaves. Outdoors, mature plants produce white and blue flowers high up in the leaves.
Bird of paradise winter care
Indoors, water every 2 to 3 weeks in winter, stop feeding and keep it in the sunniest spot you have, away from cold drafts.
Outdoors, bird of paradise tolerates brief dips to about 30°F, but frost damages leaves. Cover plants on frosty nights, and cut away frost-damaged leaves in spring once new growth starts. Potted plants should come inside when nights drop below 50°F.
Outdoor and Florida bird of paradise care
Outdoors, bird of paradise grows all year in USDA zones 9 to 11, including Florida, Southern California, Arizona and South Texas. Plant it in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil enriched with compost. In very hot inland areas, afternoon shade keeps leaves from scorching.
In Florida, water new plants twice a week until established, then weekly in dry spells. Feed with a slow-release palm or shrub fertilizer in spring and summer, mulch around the base, and keep sprinklers off the crown.
Common bird of paradise problems
What each symptom means.
- Leaves curling: underwatering or low humidity.
- Brown leaf edges: dry air, salt buildup from hard water or fertilizer, or underwatering.
- Splitting leaves: normal.
- Yellow leaves: overwatering, or old leaves dying back.
- No flowers: not enough sun, the plant is too young, or it was recently repotted.
- Pests: scale, mealybugs and spider mites. Wipe leaves and treat with insecticidal soap.
Tall white birds of paradise are one of our most popular statement trees for bright lobbies and penthouses. We place, water and clean them, and replace any that decline.
Large indoor trees for businessTypes of bird of paradise
Three different plants share the name. Care depends on which one you have.
White bird of paradise
Also sold as Giant bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai
Huge paddle leaves on tall stems, up to 8 feet indoors and 20 feet outdoors. White and blue flowers.
Care: The usual indoor floor plant. Bright light and weekly water. Rarely flowers indoors.
Orange bird of paradise
Also sold as Strelitzia reginae, crane flower
Smaller, 3 to 5 feet, with the famous orange and blue flowers.
Care: Needs lots of direct sun to flower. Best outdoors in warm climates or in a very sunny window.
Mexican and red bird of paradise
Also sold as Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Caesalpinia mexicana
A feathery-leaved shrub with red, orange or yellow flowers.
Care: A different plant: a drought-tolerant outdoor shrub for full sun. Cut it back hard in late winter. Its seeds are toxic.
Yellow bird of paradise
Also sold as Caesalpinia gilliesii
A shrub with yellow flowers and long red stamens.
Care: Full sun, little water, and a hard prune in late winter.
False bird of paradise
Also sold as Heliconia
Hanging or upright red and yellow lobster-claw flowers.
Care: A tropical that needs warmth, humidity and moist soil.
Your Bird of Paradise watering schedule
Every 7 days · about once a week
Water the soil
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
Check first: When the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry.
Bird of Paradise prefers bright, indirect light or direct sun. In medium light it will struggle whatever the watering.
Schedules are a starting point. Always check the soil before you water. Full Bird of Paradise care guide
Too many plants to keep track of? We water them for you.
Bird of Paradise questions
How do you care for a bird of paradise plant indoors?
Give it your sunniest spot, water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, feed every few weeks in spring and summer, and wipe the leaves.
Does a bird of paradise need direct sunlight?
It does best with several hours of direct sun, though it tolerates bright, indirect light. More sun means faster growth and flowers.
How often should I water a bird of paradise?
About once a week in spring and summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter, when the top 2 to 3 inches are dry.
Why are my bird of paradise leaves splitting?
It's natural. The splits let wind pass through the leaves. It isn't a sign of a problem.
Why are my bird of paradise leaves curling?
Usually thirst or dry air. Water deeply and raise the humidity.
How do you prune a bird of paradise?
Cut dead leaves and spent flower stalks off at the base of the stem. Don't cut healthy split leaves.
Why isn't my bird of paradise flowering?
Not enough direct sun, too young, or recently repotted. White bird of paradise rarely flowers indoors at all.
Can a bird of paradise stay outside in winter?
In USDA zones 9 to 11, yes. Protect it on frosty nights. Elsewhere, bring potted plants in below 50°F.
Is bird of paradise toxic to pets?
Strelitzia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The Mexican bird of paradise shrub has seeds that are toxic.
A bird of paradise that stays a showpiece
Leafstruck sources tall birds of paradise in designer planters for bright offices, hotels and homes, then cares for them weekly with free replacements.
Plants that like the same light
Test what you know
Water It Right game
Ten plants, two questions each: how often, and where does the water go?
GameFind the Right Spot game
Place each plant in the room where it will thrive, from sunny windows to windowless hallways.
QuizPlant matcher quiz
Answer five questions about your light, space and style to get three plants that will thrive.