Bird of paradise (crane flower) care

Light

Bird of paradise is a sun-lover and needs the brightest spot in the home to thrive. The brightest spot in your home — several hours of direct sun. Insufficient light prevents flowering and produces leggy growth. Indoors that almost always means a south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere. Plants moved abruptly from low light to direct sun will scorch — acclimate them over 7-10 days by giving a little more sun each day.

Watering

Water bird of paradise when the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Soak thoroughly and let excess drain. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

Soil and pot

Bird of paradise grows best in rich, well-drained loam. Standard potting compost with 25% perlite; pH 5.5-7.0. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Bird of paradise sits happiest at around 50-60% humidity and 18-27°C (65-80°F). Average to slightly elevated humidity is ideal. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed bird of paradise sparingly. Balanced feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season; potassium-heavy feed once a year encourages flowering. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on bird of paradise in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Splitting leaves — Normal — paddle leaves split naturally as they age in the wind.
• Yellow leaves — Overwatering or low light.
• Brown leaf edges — Low humidity or salt build-up from tap water and fertiliser.
• No flowers — Plant must be 4-5 years old in a bright spot to flower indoors.

Companion plants

Bird of paradise pairs well with Fiddle leaf fig, Rubber plant, and Monstera. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide mature clumps at repotting in spring; each division needs a healthy fan of leaves and its own roots. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Bird of paradise is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Strelitzia reginae as toxic to cats and dogs. Symptoms include nausea, drowsiness, and digestive upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Bird of paradise deep-dive guides

Every aspect of bird of paradise care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Bird of paradise watering schedule
• Bird of paradise light requirements
• Best soil mix for bird of paradise
• Bird of paradise fertilizing guide
• When to repot bird of paradise
• How to propagate bird of paradise
• Bird of paradise growth rate & size
• Bird of paradise cold hardiness
• Bird of paradise temperature & humidity
• Is bird of paradise toxic to cats & dogs?
• Getting bird of paradise to bloom

Related guides

Bird of paradise is also commonly called crane flower or Strelitzia.

• Peace lily care — light, water and common problems
• Hoya care — light, water and common problems
• Anthurium care — light, water and common problems
• All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library