How to Care for the Bird of Paradise? [Complete Care Guide]

Bird of Paradise Light Requirements-How Much Sunlight?

Bird of paradise like full sun but will thrive better with a spot that receives some shade. Plants that are in full sun are likely to produce multiple flowers.

Plants that have access to some shade throughout the day are known to flower slightly less, but the flowers put out by the plant are bigger.

If you are providing your plant with direct light, it should get 3–4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

If you are providing indirect light, it’s best to place your Bird of paradise somewhere it will receive at least 6 hours of bright light.

To read all about your Strelitzia’s light requirements, you can read about it here.

Bird of Paradise Temperature Range-Tolerance Guide

The Bird of paradise, being native to South Africa, thrives in warm climates. It is not very tolerant of the cold.

In serious cases, leaves begin to look disheveled. They then begin to darken, until they finally turn black and fall off.

This is followed by an overall limp plant with soft spots on the trunk of the plant. The end result is usually the plant dying.

How Often to Water a Bird of Paradise? [Water Requirements Guide]

You’ll want to increase your watering habits during the growing season, when your plant is using more energy to push out growth. Reduce watering during the winter months to minimize the risk of root rot.

Never allow your plants soil to dry out fully. This will cause it great stress. Overwatering however, opens you up to an even longer list of possible issues.

Sometimes it’s tricky to know exactly when to water your plant. I’ve compiled this helpful guide, covering any questions you may have, to help you achieve the perfect watering schedule.

Can Birds of Paradise Take Full Sun? [Direct Sunlight]

Yes. The Bird of paradise loves the sun, but you will still need to introduce it to its new light source slowly. A sudden change in light intensity will cause your plant a bit of stress until it adapts, so it’s important to acclimatize your plant.

If you want to grow your Bird of paradise in full sun, you can move it in front of a window, or on a sheltered spot outside on your patio.

Be sure to place your Bird of paradise somewhere that is not exposed. Sitting in a windy spot will cause your plant to become stressed and you may notice excessive leaf splitting as a result.

Read all about how to introduce your plant to direct sunlight here.

What is the Optimal Humidity for Bird of Paradise Plants?

The Bird of paradise is used to high humidity levels in its native South Africa. The Strelitzia is found flourishing in both Florida and Hawaii, where the average humidity percentage remains above 70% year-round.

How much humidity does a Bird of paradise need?

The Bird of paradise will tolerate a humidity level of 50%. Ideally, you’ll want to provide your plant with a humidity level ranging between 60% and 70%. The more humidity, the better, as this helps the plant produce those gorgeous, deep green leaves they’re so admired for.

Find some tips and tricks to increase humidity here.

Should I Mist my Bird of Paradise Plant? And How Often?

The purpose of misting one’s plants is to increase the humidity levels. By misting your plant, you add moisture into the air, which raises the humidity levels. It’s also a great way to add some moisture to your soil.

To mist your plant you’ll need to invest in a spray bottle. You can usually find these for quite cheap at your local convenience store.

Where possible, fill your spray bottle with collected rainwater. If rainwater isn’t available, try to make use of distilled water or tap water that has been allowed to sit out overnight.

Pull the trigger while moving the spray bottle back and forth, spraying the plant from above. Repeat this several times.