A Bird of Paradise is a great choice for an indoor plant. It’s easy enough to grow. It delivers a dramatic punch to your indoor aesthetic. Its flowers are also a sight to behold and usually come out in late winter through to early spring.
Even with its ease of care, a Bird of Paradise can still run into snags along the way. Brown leaves, overwatering, and root rot are all common issues to watch for. Here are our best tips on how to keep your Bird of Paradise plant alive year-round.
Water It Weekly
The thing about a real plant is it needs a lot of water. You don’t get that with a fake Bird of Paradise, of course. For the real thing, ensure a weekly watering. Let the soil dry a bit before watering again. Cut back on watering during winter. If you have concerns about not enough humidity indoors, try misting the plant daily with a spray bottle.
Temperature
Though you can move a Bird of Paradise outside for summer, be sure to take it inside once temperatures start to drop. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will put your plant under stress and potentially kill it.
Pruning
To keep a Bird of Paradise looking its best, unless you have an artificial Bird of Paradise, some pruning is necessary. The only things you want to prune away are the dead leaves and dead flowers. Fortunately, there’s not a whole lot of cutting and shaping that needs to be done for a Bird of Paradise.
Fertilize it in Spring and Summer
Use a slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer in the ground and liquid fertilizer for a container. During the growing season – i.e. spring and summer – ensure you’re feeding your Bird of Paradise once every two weeks. Add some compose over the top of the soil for the plant to enjoy as well. Overfertilizing is another thing one has to worry about. If you notice too much foliage growth, you’re fertilizing it too much. Consider cutting back.
Root Rot
Root rot doesn’t happen with faux plants but when you have a real Bird of Paradise, if the soil is not draining well or if it’s being overwatered, that’s a problem. Look for the signs – wilting or browning or pests.
Use Rich, Well-Drained Soil
If your Bird of Paradise isn’t in rich, well-drained soil, repot it. To keep it in its absolute best health, this is what it needs. Adding some organic compost and perlite or sand can also help with drainage and crafting the right conditions for it to thrive.
Give It A Lot of Light
A Bird of Paradise plant is from South Africa. They’re meant to be in direct sunlight. Ensure they’re kept in full sun for 6-8 hours every day. Place it somewhere you know it’s going to get the most light.
Keeping a Bird of Paradise plant alive is a challenge in some climates but it can be done. Fortunately, there’s also an easier way. Try a fake Bird of Paradise identical to the real thing. Cut out to commitment on watering, temperature, pruning, and more. Make it easy. Visit ArtiPlanto today to check out a selection of premium-made silk plants, including our critically-acclaimed Bird of Paradise.
