Bird of Paradise Care: Growing Strelitzia Indoors

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is one of the most dramatic statement plants you can grow indoors. The leaves are massive, paddle-shaped, and tropical. In ideal conditions, mature plants produce orange and blue flowers that look like exotic birds.

Indoors, Bird of Paradise rarely flowers, but the foliage alone is stunning. It needs bright light, consistent care, and space to grow. This is not a beginner plant, but if you can meet its needs, it is worth it.

Quick Care Summary

  • Light: Bright, direct light (6+ hours per day)
  • Water: When top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry
  • Humidity: Normal household humidity is fine
  • Growth habit: Upright, clumping (gets very large)
  • Biggest challenge: Needs very bright light to thrive

Light

Bird of Paradise needs bright, direct light to grow well. This is the most important factor.

Best light:

  • South-facing window with several hours of direct sun
  • Unobstructed east or west-facing window

Signs of too little light:

  • Leggy growth
  • Small leaves
  • No flowers (even mature plants)
  • Leaves splitting horizontally (stress)

Signs of too much light:

  • Brown, scorched leaf edges (rare indoors)

Without bright light, Bird of Paradise will survive but not thrive.

Watering

Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. Bird of Paradise likes consistent moisture during the growing season.

How to water:

  1. Check the top 2 to 3 inches of soil
  2. If dry, water thoroughly until it drains
  3. Empty the saucer

Typical schedule:

  • Spring and summer: Every 7 to 10 days
  • Fall and winter: Every 14 to 21 days

Humidity

Bird of Paradise tolerates normal household humidity.

  • Ideal humidity: 50 to 60 percent
  • Will tolerate: 40 percent

Higher humidity encourages larger leaves but is not required.

Soil and Pot

Use well-draining soil.

Best soil:

  • Standard potting mix with perlite (2:1 ratio)
  • Or mix with orchid bark for extra drainage

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes
  • Large, heavy pot to prevent tipping (Bird of Paradise gets top-heavy)

Temperature

Bird of Paradise is tropical but adaptable.

  • Temperature: 65 to 80 F
  • Will tolerate: Down to 50 F (but growth slows)

Fertilizer

Feed regularly during the growing season.

  • Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks in spring and summer
  • Use balanced liquid fertilizer (full strength)
  • Skip fertilizing in fall and winter

Pruning and Cleaning

Prune to remove damaged or old leaves.

How to prune:

  1. Cut old or brown leaves at the base
  2. Wipe leaves weekly to remove dust

Leaf splits: Bird of Paradise leaves naturally split as they age. This is normal and helps the plant withstand wind in nature. Horizontal splits (tears across the leaf) indicate stress from low light or physical damage.

Repotting

Bird of Paradise likes to be slightly root-bound. Repot every 2 to 3 years or when roots fill the pot.

How to repot:

  1. Choose a pot one size larger
  2. Use fresh potting mix
  3. Water thoroughly after repotting

Propagating Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise propagates by division (separating clumps).

How to propagate:

  1. Unpot the plant
  2. Gently separate offsets with roots attached
  3. Plant in separate pots with fresh soil
  4. Water thoroughly

Division is best done in spring.

Common Problems

Brown leaf edges

Underwatering, low humidity, or salt buildup. Water more consistently and flush soil monthly with distilled water.

Yellow leaves

Natural aging (lower leaves) or overwatering. Remove old leaves and check soil moisture.

Leaves not splitting

The plant is too young or not enough light. Young leaves do not split. As the plant matures in bright light, leaves will develop natural splits.

No flowers

Bird of Paradise needs to be mature (5 to 7 years old) and receive very bright light (6+ hours of direct sun) to flower indoors. Most indoor Bird of Paradise never flower due to insufficient light.

Pests

Bird of Paradise can attract spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. Wipe leaves weekly and inspect regularly.

Will Bird of Paradise Flower Indoors?

Rarely. Bird of Paradise needs:

  • Mature plant (5 to 7 years old from seed)
  • Very bright light (6+ hours of direct sun daily)
  • Consistent care and feeding

Even with ideal conditions, flowering indoors is uncommon. Grow Bird of Paradise for the foliage, not the flowers.

What To Do Next

  • If your Bird of Paradise is not growing, move it to a brighter spot (this is almost always the issue)
  • If you love tropical statement plants, try Monstera deliciosa or Alocasia
  • If your Bird of Paradise is getting too large, divide it and propagate offsets
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