All you need to know about

How to care for
your Bird of Paradise

Overview

Birds of Paradise (BOP) are regal, stunning plants known for their gorgeous, orange crane-like flowers that look like they’re about to take flight. A very popular indoor plant, you’ve likely seen them towering in the corner of a restaurant or home – they’re loved for their rich foliage and giant, fan-like leaves with splits in them. Native to South Africa, the BOP (Strelitzia Reginae – orange BOP or Strelitzia Nicolai – white BOP) are fairly easy to grow, compared to their tropical relatives. In the wild they can grow up to 20” tall – they’d probably be great basketball players. Not to be mistaken for the Banana Tree – which it shares many similarities with – the BOP is a real showstopper that may flower indoors if you hit all of its conditions.

Bird of Paradise Types

Strelitzia reginae
Strelitzia nicolai (White)
Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Red)
Caesalpinia mexicana (Mexican)
Caesalpinia gilliesii (Yellow)

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Other Fun Facts

BOPs are often confused with Banana plants. Banana plants have a spiral leaf growth pattern – and shockingly – bear fruit. While Bird of Paradise plants don’t bear fruit and they have an alternate leaf growth pattern.
Make way for the Queen of plants! BOP’s scientific name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen consort and wife of King George III. Queen Charlotte was a patron of the arts and an amateur botanist who helped expand the Kew Gardens.
The split leaves that give the Bird of Paradise plant its bird-like morphology is scientifically believed to reduce drag in the wind. Suck it, wind!

Plant Care Tips

Care Level

BOPs are easy to grow and maintain but they do require specific conditions in order to thrive. As a result, we’d say they sit somewhere in the beginners to middle range.

Plant Care Tips

Light

BOPs thrive in bright direct to bright indirect light. They’re one of the rarer indoor houseplants that can withstand a birthday suit encounter with the sun. Since BOP foliage gravitates towards its source of light, we recommend you rotate the plant to ensure even growth on all sides. Splits in its foliage is normal, but extreme splitting, dropping leaves, browning or leaves that won’t open, are signs that your BOP needs more light. BOPs have big leaves, so you’ll want to periodically wipe them with a damp cloth when dust collects so they can photosynthesize efficiently. Big leaves, big efficiency.

Plant Care Tips

Water

BOPs enjoy moist – not soggy – soil. Check to see if the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dry before giving it a watering. Droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edges with a yellow line are signs of overwatering. Dry, crispy tips, extreme leaf splitting, leaf breaking with brittle edges, brown edges, or shrivelled leaves are signs of under-watering. BOPs are also sensitive to hard tap water, so you’ll want to use filtered water or leave your tap water out overnight before watering your BOP.

Plant Care Tips

Humidity

Normal room humidity is fine for BOPs, but they do thrive better in higher humidity spaces. Consider placing it on top of a pebble tray submerged in water, misting it periodically or pairing it with a humidifier. Like other houseplants, you’ll want to keep them away from air vents, cold drafts or sources of dry heat.

Plant Care Tips

Temperature

The best temperature for a BOP to thrive in ranges from 18°C-30°C. Avoid placing a BOP anywhere below 15°C.

Plant Care Tips

Pets

BOPs are toxic to pets. They can cause nausea, vomiting and drowsiness in cats, dogs and horses if ingested. You’ll want to avoid that mess.

Plant Care Tips

Care Level

BOPs are easy to grow and maintain but they do require specific conditions in order to thrive. As a result, we’d say they sit somewhere in the beginners to middle range.

Light

BOPs thrive in bright direct to bright indirect light. They’re one of the rarer indoor houseplants that can withstand a birthday suit encounter with the sun. Since BOP foliage gravitates towards its source of light, we recommend you rotate the plant to ensure even growth on all sides. Splits in its foliage is normal, but extreme splitting, dropping leaves, browning or leaves that won’t open, are signs that your BOP needs more light. BOPs have big leaves, so you’ll want to periodically wipe them with a damp cloth when dust collects so they can photosynthesize efficiently. Big leaves, big efficiency.

Water

BOPs enjoy moist – not soggy – soil. Check to see if the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dry before giving it a watering. Droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edges with a yellow line are signs of overwatering. Dry, crispy tips, extreme leaf splitting, leaf breaking with brittle edges, brown edges, or shrivelled leaves are signs of under-watering. BOPs are also sensitive to hard tap water, so you’ll want to use filtered water or leave your tap water out overnight before watering your BOP.

Humidity

Normal room humidity is fine for BOPs, but they do thrive better in higher humidity spaces. Consider placing it on top of a pebble tray submerged in water, misting it periodically or pairing it with a humidifier. Like other houseplants, you’ll want to keep them away from air vents, cold drafts or sources of dry heat.