Bird of Paradise care sheet
Strelitzia nicolai · Moderate care · Not pet-safe
Huge paddle leaves on tall stems. The statement tree for bright lobbies and penthouses.
| 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. |
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.
Avoid these mistakes
- Too little light, which stops new leaves
- Small pots, which tip over
- Panicking about split leaves
If something looks wrong
- 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.
My Bird of Paradise care log
Last wateredNot logged yet
Next wateringEvery 7 days
Last fedNot logged yet
| Date | Watered | Fed | Notes | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing logged yet. Tap “Watered today” when you water. | ||||
Your log is saved in this browser on this device. Bookmark this page to come back to it.