Caring for Both Indoor & Outside Bird of Paradise

The Bird of paradise is a herbaceous cluster forming plant that originates from the warm and sunny regions of tropical and subtropical South Africa. Once they flower, native sunbirds like to steal their nectar for nutrition, while Cape Weaver birds are believed to be the primary pollinator in the wild. Birds are also the Crane flower's favorite mode of transportation, as once they produce seed pods, the orange fluff within attracts birds who will help spread the seeds. 

Plant fact: Heliconia Angusta is known as the fake bird of paradise due to having flowers that also resemble a bird's plumage, but instead of South Africa it is native to Brazil. 

Crane flowers have now spread beyond South Africa to the entire world so much so that the orange Bird of Paradise is even the official flower of the city of Los Angeles! In areas where these plants have been adapted to the ecosystem like Southern California, new birds have taken on the role of pollinator like the common yellowthroat Geothlypis Trichas which has been observed visiting the flowers. All over the world, the showy flowers of the Crane flower make it a favorite for horticulturists and landscape artists alike. 

Birds of paradise enjoy routine, and with care the species that flower can bloom even as houseplants. With the guide below, you’ll learn how to keep your Birds of Paradise thriving year round.

In the Spring and Summer, water when the top 1-2 inches of potting mix feel dry, usually around every 3-4 days. When the top few inches feel dry when you stick your finger into the pot, give your plant a good soak and add water until it drains from the pot's drainage holes. This means the soil is thoroughly moistened and can also flush excess salts in the soil. 

Overwatering can cause root rot, so it is better to wait a few days until the top 1-2 inches feel dry when you stick your finger into the pot rather than stick to a strict watering schedule. The rule of thumb is you’ll water more frequently in hot, dry climates compared to cooler humid ones. Reduce watering in the fall and winter as temperatures cool and growing slows.

The roots for your Crane Flower can be heavy, so do not try to measure when to water based on weight, stick to feeling the top few inches of soil or try a hygrometer to keep track of soil moisture. 

Pro-tip: Avoid watering with tap water as Birds of Paradise can be sensitive to the minerals found in hard tap water, and prolonged exposure can cause tip burn. Use distilled, filtered, rain, or bottled water instead. 

Birds of Paradise prefer bright direct light for at least 6-8 hours a day. Place by a South, East, or West facing window that receives plenty of light throughout the day, or by a north facing window with hot afternoon sun filtered by a gauze curtain or shade cloth. Artificial lights are also acceptable to ensure your Birds of Paradise receives enough light, especially during the winter months. 

Pro-tip: Crane Flowers can be placed on an outside patio during the warm spring and summer months for more direct light exposure. Make sure to spend a few days slowly adjusting their position outside from partial shade to full direct sunlight to help them acclimate to the change from indoors to outdoors. 

Failure to flower is also closely linked to if sufficient light is provided. Although these plants can grow large and look best in a corner, they require plenty of direct sunlight every day to flower and low light levels can even stunt growth. If you notice long leaf stalks or the plant leaning toward a window, it needs more light. 

Plant fact: Young plants will be less tolerant of direct sunlight in the afternoons, so try to position them to receive plenty of bright morning sun instead. 

Birds of Paradise prefer a humidity range of 50-80% but tolerate standard home humidity levels. To monitor and maintain humidity levels, try a humidifier with a built-in humidistat in the room. Plant groupings, a pebble tray with water under the pot, or naturally humid rooms like the kitchen or bathroom can also increase humidity. 

The Crane Flower requires a temperature range from 65-80°F (18-26°C). Your plant can tolerate brief cold spells below 50°F (10 °C) but prolonged exposure can cause cold damage or plant death. Once September comes, or the first frost hits, keep your Bird of Paradise inside to soak up the sun. 

Pro-tip: Make sure your Birds of Paradise are not placed near any vents, fans, or air conditioners to help maintain a constant temperature. 

Shriveling, Wilting, and Brown Crispy Leaves

If the leaves are shriveling, wilting, or turning brown, check if the soil is too dry as you may be underwatering. Add water to the soil until it feels damp but not wet, and until water begins draining from the bottom of the pot. Make sure your potting mix is well draining but does retain some moisture. 

Yellowing

If the leaves are turning yellow, yellow with red spotting, appear pale, or have started dropping, this is a sign of overwatering so reduce the watering frequency and check for bacterial or fungal growth. The roots may also have turned brown or black if overwatered. Check the top few inches of your potting mix to make sure it isn’t waterlogged. Remove the discolored leaves to promote foliage growth and flower formation. 

As your Bird of Paradise matures, older leaves also naturally start to turn yellow. Once there are no more green parts of the leaf, it can be pruned to promote new growth. If it's a single leaf yellowing at a time, it’s more likely to be aging compared to the plant as a whole turning yellow. 

Yellow leaf edges can also be a sign of shock due to watering with cold water. Use room temperature water instead, especially with sensitive young plants.

Turning Green or Becoming Pale

If the leaves appear dark green, the issue is dim lighting and your Crane flower needs to be moved closer to a window with brighter lighting or spend more time in the light. The change in leaf color from grass green to dark green is due to the increased chlorophyll production, which increases their efficiency at absorbing light to compensate for decreased availability. 

For overall pale leaves, the issue is too much direct light, which causes the leaf color to fade by reducing chlorophyll production as a protective mechanism. Excessive light will cause the leaf to go from pale to brown. Birds of Paradise generally love direct sunlight, but young plants are less tolerant of the heat of the afternoon sun or being placed directly outside without an acclimation period. Bring your plant inside if outside, and try an East facing window for gentle morning light. You can also switch to artificial grow lights scheduled to provide light for 6-8 hours a day until the plant recovers.

Pale or greyish leaves might also be due to underwatering. Increase watering frequency, especially in the hotter summer months, and water as soon as the top 2 inches (up to your second knuckle) of soil feel dry. 

Tip Burn (Brown Leaf Tips)

Brown tips are a sign of tip burn and are often caused by salts or chemicals like fluoride and chlorine in the water you use, which build in the soil and are then absorbed by your Strelitzia and accumulate in the leaves. Switch to distilled, filtered or bottled water and trim the brown tips as they appear with sterilized shears. 

Pro-tip: If tap water is your only option, let it sit out overnight to allow some of the chemicals (like chlorine) to evaporate before watering. 

Low humidity can also cause tip burn as the lack of moisture in the air will cause the plant to transpire faster than normal leading to localized deficiencies on the edges of the leaves. Use a humidistat to monitor humidity, and add plant groupings or a pebble tray to increase it. Check that your Crane Flower is not next to a vent, heater or air conditioner. You can also move your plant to a more humid room, like the bathroom or kitchen. 

If the leaves do not recover after adjusting the water and humidity, trim the entire leaf with sterilized shears to encourage new growth.

Birds of Paradise prefer a slightly acidic, well-draining potting mix with lots of organic matter and chunky media like perlite, charcoal, bark, and peat moss, to prevent soggy soil and allow the roots to aerate. 

To meet these needs, you can try our signature blend of potting mix Dirt Bag is designed specifically for plants that are susceptible to root rot and provides ample nutrients for growth. If you’re looking for a neutral mix-in, try our Sphag Bag, which is 100% sphagnum moss. 

Crane Flowers enjoy regular fertilization every 3-4 weeks in the spring and summer. Dilute liquid fertilizers to half-strength and apply every 3-4 weeks during Spring and Summer. Avoid fertilizing when your Bird of Paradise is flowering or in winter as this can disrupt the blooming cycle and promote leaf growth instead.