Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia reginae) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems
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Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise Plant) thrives in bright light with some sunshine, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Strelitzia reginae also called Crane Flower is one of the favorite flowering plants, featuring vivid, bright-orange and blue flowers on top of tall stalks which are surrounded by large leaves and can last for several weeks.
Crane Flower is frost-tender below 100C and is suited for the warmer climates. In the US, the plant is a common landscape feature in California and Florida. It is so popular that it has been choosen as the official flower of the city of Los Angeles.
In colder climates, Bird of Paradise can be grown as an indoor plant or in containers which can be taken inside during the harsh winter weather where they can be sheltered from frost, as it can damage the flowers and leaves. It is ideal for USDA zones 10-12.
The species was described by Joseph Banks in 1788. The species name, 'reginae', means 'of the queen', in commemoration of the British queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of George III.
Botanical name: Strelitzia reginae
Family: Strelitziaceae
Common names: Bird of Paradise Plant, Crane Flower
Origin
Strelitzia reginae is an evergreen perennial plant indigenous to South Africa.
Size
Bird of Paradise Plant grows to a height of about 5-7 feet and 3-4 feet wide. The evergreen leaves are arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. They are upto 28 inches long by about 12 inches wide and are borne on 40 inches long stalks placing it among large-leafed, bold statement plants for the large spaces.
Flower
The Bird of Paradise Plant flowers fan out from the spathe, forming a crane bird-like crest. The plant may take up to 4-6 years before flowering starts but each spathe will produce several flowers in succession. The common names, 'Crane Flower' and 'Bird of Paradise' refer to the open flower's resemblance to the head and beak of a colorful exotic bird.
Related Plants
Popular plants related to Strelitzia reginae are Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird of Paradise Plant) which bears large, paddle-shaped, grey-green leaves arranged in a fan-like shape and Ravenala madagascariensis (Traveller's Palm) with paddle-shaped leaves on long petioles, arranged in a fan-shape in a single plane.
Is Strelitzia reginae toxic?
No. Strelitzia reginae is non-toxic to humans but toxic to pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested it can cause difficulties in breathing and abdominal pains. Keep the plant out of the reach of pets.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add Bird of Paradise Plants to your collection, you may acquire them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Strelitzia reginae Indoors
To care for Strelitzia reginae indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Young Bird of Paradise Plants require annual repotting but mature plants are repotted only when extremely pot-bound as they bloom best when the roots are confined. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Strelitzia reginae?
Do not water on a schedule. Water your Strelitzia reginae liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, dropping and yellowing.
Reduce watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips and edges.
Use water that is at room temperature to water to avoid shocking this tropical plant as it can result in stunted growth. The water should also be chlorine-free as the plant is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot which is indicated by yellowing and droopy leaves.
Light Requirements
Does Strelitzia reginae need full sun?
Yes. Strelitzia reginae grows best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of sunshine. Do not expose it to hot midday sunlight before acclimating it as it can lead to scorching (brown, leaf spots).
Too low light for Bird of Paradise Plant will result in yellowing and lack of blooming. If the natural light is not adequate, use full spectrum grow lights to coplement it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Bird of Paradise Plant prefers a warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, AC units, radiators, hot air vents and others to prevent stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and brown leaf edges.
Strelitzia reginae prospers in a humidity of 60-70%. Low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. Therefore, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to heighten humidity. Ascertain that there is proper ventilation to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Strelitzia reginae with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time therefore the plant does not need it.
Flush out accumulated salts (which may have arisen from the water or fertilizers) regularly by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Bird of Paradise Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is perfect for this plant.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Bird of Paradise Plant involves removal of dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the dead leaves at the base with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also reduce pests and diseases infestations.
Repotting
Repot the young Bird of Paradise Plants at the beginning of the growing season into a pot one size larger than the current one.
The mature plants do not require very frequent repotting as the plant prefers to be root-bound to enhance flowering.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to prevent root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Strelitzia reginae Propagation
Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise Plant) propagation is done by plant division at repotting time or by seeds germination. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season, when it is in active growth for faster establishment.
Propagating Bird of Paradise by plant division
- During repotting, divide the large plant into several sections while ensuring each divison has some roots to hasten establishment.
- Pot the sections in moist, free-draining soil in individual pots. Confirm each pot has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.
- Position the pots in a brightly-lit place away from direct sunshine.
- Keep the soil moist until new growth emerges from the sections. Ensure that the crown of the sections is above the soil level to avoid rotting.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting into pots one size larger, after which you can begin routine care.
Growing Bird of Paradise Plant from seeds
- Sow the seeds about 0.5-1 inches deep in moist, free-draining soil. Use a container with good drainage to prevent sogginess of the soil.
- Cover the set up with clear polythene to create warm and humid conditions which hastens germination and establishment of the plants.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist thorough out and avoid waterlogging as it can cause rotting.
- Germination should occur in about 8 weeks. Once the new plants are well established, transplant into individual pots and begin routine care.
Strelitzia reginae Problems & Remedies
Bird of Paradise Plant common problems are curling & yellowing leaves, lack of blooms, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips & edges, brown leaf spots, pests, diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Curling & yellowing leaves
Curling and yellowing leaves on Bird of Paradise Plant are caused by soggy soil, underwatering, insufficient light, drafts or pest infestations.
How to fix it
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a draining hole and well-drained soil.
Underwatering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out; do not water on a schedule.
Insufficient light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine or use grow lights if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors and windows, AC units, heat sources, radiators and others to maintain a warmth of 16-270C.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms on Bird of Paradise Plant is caused by too little light, nutrients deficiency, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant every 4 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer in the growing season.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to upscale humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, open doors, drafty windows among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Bird of Paradise Plant are caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, drafts, hot direct sunlight, or pests and diseases.
How to fix it
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid areas in the home.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and do not let the soil dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Ensure that the soil is well-draining and the pot has a drainage hole.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafty conditions to maintain a constantly warm enviroment.
Hot direct sunlight: Use a light curtain or sheer curtain to filter the hot sunrays.
Pests and diseases: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and diseases and take timely control measures.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Bird of Paradise Plant are caused by dry air, soggy soil, underwatering or salts buidup.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity.
Soggy soil: Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it flows out through the drainage hole.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots on Bird of Paradise Plant are sunscorch marks caused by exposure to hot direct sunlight before acclimating it.
Gradually acclimate the plant before exposing it to the hot direct sunshine outside. Move it to a slightly brighter spot every so often until it can withstand direct sunlight.
Pests
Common pests on Bird of Paradise Plant are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats.
How to fix it
- Seperate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity as it discourages the pests.
Diseases
Bird of Paradise Plant is prone to root-rot disease which is prevalent in soggy soil. The disease is characterized by general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Cut away brown-black, mushy roots as they indicate root-rot. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and position it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Withhold watering until new growth appears, avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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