Bird of paradise care
Bird of paradise is a large, banana-like plant. Indoors, the white-flowered Strelitzia nicolai is sold for its leaves; the orange-flowered S. reginae needs years and full sun to bloom.
Light
Bright light with several hours of direct sun. Low light means slow growth and no flowers.
Watering
Water when the top 2–3 inches are dry. Split leaves are natural wind damage, not a watering problem.
Soil, feeding and repotting
Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix.
Feeding: Balanced fertiliser every 2–4 weeks in spring and summer.
Repotting: Every 2 years; flowers better when root-bound.
Propagation
Division of mature clumps.
Problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Split leaves | Natural; helps the leaves shed wind in the wild. | None needed. |
| Curling leaves | Thirst or low humidity. | Water deeply and raise humidity. |
| Brown crispy edges | Dry air or salt build-up. | Flush soil; use filtered water. |
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Ask about your bird of paradise
Questions gardeners ask
Why are my bird of paradise leaves splitting?
Splits are normal and help the leaves survive wind. More humidity reduces them.