Why is my Bird of Paradise Falling Over? [Fix Leaning Plant]
The Bird of paradise is an ever-popular houseplant that is adored for the sheer size of its foliage. While the plant grows long, thick stalks that usually have no trouble supporting itself, sometimes the plant can become a bit top-heavy, which will result in leaning or bending.
Besides being top heavy, some other causes include experiencing shock, insufficient water, or uneven sunlight, to mention a few.
No matter the reason, if your Bird of paradise appears to be leaning, it requires attention before further damage happens.
Reasons your Bird of paradise may be falling over
Shock following being repotted
Following a change in the environment, like being brought home from the nursery or moving locations in the house, you may notice some bending or wilting.
If you have recently repotted your Bird of paradise however, then the leaning may be more noticeable. The shock is temporary and a result of the stress the plant is experiencing when re-establishing its roots.
Your plant should bounce back within a week or 2.
Uneven sunlight
Plants always grow towards the light. If your plant only receives sunlight from one direction, then its growth will likely be uneven. The result of uneven lighting may be a lopsided plant.
To ensure your plant grows up straight, provide plenty of sunlight from all directions. You can easily do this by regularly rotating your plants.
Top heavy foliage
If your Bird of paradise becomes too top heavy, it may be time to consider pruning your plant. Select any leaves that are broken or damaged, excessively split, or ones with signs of significant aging.
When pruning, try and wait until the start of spring. This will then give your Bird of paradise the entire growing season to recover and push out more foliage for you to enjoy.
Overly root bound
While the Bird of paradise is famous for loving being a little rootbound, there is definitely such a thing as being too rootbound.
While you will not need to repot your Bird of paradise yearly, you will likely need to repot it several times over the years. This is due to the plants’ fast growing root system.
If the plant becomes overly rootbound, it will not be able to grow its roots any more. With time, the root system will no longer be able to support the plant and it will become too top-heavy.
This may result in bending, leaning or even falling over, which could cause significant harm to your plant.
How to fix a leaning Bird of paradise
Rotate regularly
Regularly rotate your plant to ensure it receives sunlight from all angles. This will help to ensure your Bird of paradise grows upright.
Add support
If your Bird of paradise is leaning and you are concerned it may bend or break, consider adding a stake. You can make use of any long stick or rod.
Insert these into the soil gently. Tie the plant to the stakes, securing them. This should help give your plant that extra support it needs.
Use a bigger container
If you haven’t repotted your Bird of paradise for several years and you notice it beginning to lean, consider repotting it into a bigger container. You’ll want to size up by only 1 or 2. Avoid going any bigger as this will increase your plants’ drying out time.
Prune top heavy foliage
If you notice your plant is becoming a bit top-heavy, consider pruning it. Pruning will help your plant push out new growth and take care of that pesky leaning problem.
Avoid pruning your plant during the winter months, as recovery will take longer than during the growing season.