BIRD OF PARADISE
The Bird of Paradise plant, known scientifically as Strelitzia reginae, is a striking tropical plant prized for its large, banana-like leaves and vibrant, bird-shaped flowers.
WATER
Water your Bird of Paradise plant regularly during the Spring and Summer months, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in the winter months, allowing the top 5 to 10cm of soil to dry out between waterings.
LIGHT
Place your Bird of Paradise plant in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate some direct sunlight, especially in the morning or late afternoon, but avoid intense midday sun to prevent leaf burn.
FERTILISING
Feed your Bird of Paradise every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer months. Reduce fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows down.
SOIL
Plant your Bird of Paradise plant in well-draining soil. Visit our soil bar for orchid bark, pumice and perlite to add to a standard houseplant soil to achieve this.
TEMPERATURE
Keep your Bird of Paradise plant in a warm environment and avoid cold draughts.
HUMIDITY
Bird of Paradise love humidity. Use a humidifier or a pebble tray to achieve this. Grouping plants together also helps with increasing humidity.
TOXICITY
Bird of Paradise plants are considered mildly toxic to humans and animals.
General Watering Tips
Place your plant, still in its plastic nursery pot, inside the decorative pot you've chosen. This setup allows the plant to enjoy the drainage and airflow provided by the nursery pot's holes, which are beneficial for root health.
When it’s time to water, you have two options:
1. Top Watering: Take the plant, nursery pot and all, out of the decorative pot and water it over a sink. Allow the water to drain completely before placing it back in the decorative pot to prevent water build up.
2. Bottom Watering: Place the nursery pot in a shallow dish of water and let the plant absorb moisture from the bottom. This method encourages the roots to grow downward and reduces the risk of overwatering.
Both methods help keep your plant healthy by promoting good drainage and root aeration.