Our favorite tip however is the weight of the pot trick. Dappled sunlight between 12 pm and 2 pm is perfect. If the air is very dry, an occasional misting would be helpful to aid in removing the dust that settles on the leaves. But if they do, usually the culprits are mites, scale, or aphids. However, seed propagation is not the most effective method. (right, or below) Close-up of Strelitzia reginae leaf.. Strelitzia nicolai leaves. The three most critical needs for bird of paradise plants to thrive are: Read on to learn how to care for this tall tropical plant that has banana-like leaves and cool yellow, orange, or white flowers. The flowers are completely white and lack the blue color found in other species. As a Team, we've almost 50 years of hands on experience as well as a variety of horticulture skills. Three bright orange sepals rise in front of the petals. The smallest strelitzia, the one from my own seed, is now up to about 4 still-tiny leaves and the root was pushing out. It can take up to eight weeks for the newly-planted Strelitzia seeds to germinate and between four and seven years for the plants to bloom. So, in winter, keep the plant containers away from direct heat sources—furnaces or hot radiators. If you live in zone 9 and below, you can grow crane lilies outdoors in the summer. Although the crane flowers can be hardy down to 60°F (15°C), anything below that will damage the plant. They’ll withstand drought, salty coastal conditions, light frost and general neglect. Although the large foliage is eye-catching, it’s the white, yellow, or orange flowers that look like cranes that grab attention. They are produced on petioles (stems) up to 1m / 39in long. Plants which are growing very slowly, so have little need for feed, cut back to bi-monthly instead. Strelitzia reginae, called bird of paradise, is probably one of the most well-known plants in the world. If none of the above applies, make sure the plant is being watered adequately, or that it's not in too small a pot. To get a yellow variety that breeds true, two yellow parents are needed. The soil should be rich, well-draining, moist – not waterlogged—and watered regularly. To prevent over-fertilizing or a salt buildup, flush or leech the potting soil every three months or so. A east or west facing window should do. He is the main content writer for the Ourhouseplants Team. S. nicolai is another popular variety that has vivid white flowers and a black "beak". It is sometimes referred to as the Crane plant due to the flowers looking like the feathers on the head of a crane. Strelitzia planted in a pot. Bird of paradise flowers look like the head of a crane or birds from the family Paradisaeidae—commonly called “birds-of-paradise.” Although this is a tropical flowering plant, birds of paradise can grow in pots indoors. Their common name comes from their striking flowers – bright, plumed blooms perched on long stems that look like the crests of tropical birds peeking through the leaves. The plant is native to South Africa and requires a steady climate between 50-72 degrees Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius) to thrive. There are five Strelitzia species, but only two are commonly grown as indoor plants: Strelitzia reginae (the orange bird of paradise) and Strelitzia nicolai (the white bird of paradise). Bird-of-paradise or crane flower (Strelitzia reginae) is a native of South Africa and is closely related to the banana. The plant blooms mainly in spring and early summer. Assess which one it is and adjust your watering routine accordingly. Loamy potting mix that has sand or perlite mixed through it will also help with drainage. As a Bird of Paradise plant gets taller its perfectly normally for the bottom leaves to go brown, look ragged or even yellow up. The crested orange & blue flowers are what this plant is grown for, both in the landscape & commercially. If the upper leaves start to look in poor condition then its likely one of two things, far too much watering, or far too little. It's much harder to get S. nicolai to flower indoors and as you might imagine it takes considerably longer to reach its final mature height. It is a bold structural plant, which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. You'll also do well to pick a south facing window if some shielding is provided from harsh summer sun which can burn the leaves of immature plants. During summer, open a window or have an oscillating fan nearby to keep air circulating. However, the potting soil shouldn’t be left to go completely dry. Here are three ways to look after tropical, exotic houseplants: As well as humidifying your tropical houseplants, you should ensure that there is plenty of airflow. Credit for the picture of the Bird of Paradise seeds to Sebastian Stabinger. When the light level reduces the leaves uncurl, but it's probably best to move to a slightly darker spot until it's older. Bird of paradise plants need at least six hours of bright light and some direct sunlight daily to flourish. To flush the potting mix, take your crane lily in its pot to the bath. Queen Charlotte was an amateur botanist and when her husband King George III inherited the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens in 1772, it gave her the perfect chance to get her hands dirty and help with its development. This bird of paradise will not bloom until it's mature and has formed a large clump, which may take five, eight or more years. If you do fall in love with these plants they will completely dominate, and even after its long taken over you'll still be a happy subject of its rule. If you do plant on homing a Strelitzia nicolai and don't have the space to accommodate for the eventual 30ft frame, treat them as passing guests. This would be the perfect specimen plant or when space is at a premium but where you want just one plant with the "wow" factor. Some species of Strelitzia can grow to 32 ft. (10 m) tall. Keep humidity levels high, temperatures above 60°F (15°C), and fertilize monthly during the growing season. S. nicolai eventually reaches 6m / 20ft tall. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is a much loved plant in Australian gardens. The bird of paradise plant is rootbound and need transferring to a larger pot. The flowers on bird of paradise plants are the unique feature. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. Another reason for yellow leaves is too little light. If you want bird of paradise flowers, continue reading for tips on growing these unique beauties. By 1994 after twenty years of careful selection and hand-pollination they had increased the original seven to a large enough number to release it commercially. This will allow water to move deep into the seed to trigger the germination. The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is a stunning exotic tropical plant with distinct flowers and leaves like a banana plant.Bird of paradise flowers look like the head of a crane or birds from the family Paradisaeidae—commonly called “birds-of-paradise.”Although this is a tropical flowering plant, birds of paradise can grow in pots indoors. A blue-and-white Strelitzia or orange-yellow bird-of-paradise need soil that holds moisture without becoming soggy. They’ve more to offer than just looks though. (middle) A narrower-leaved version, folded in a bit due to the dry climate. A north facing position ought to be avoided in the long term. These flowering plants are native to South Africa, where they are also called crane flowers. The flowers last a long time so they're often worth the effort. There are five main species and varieties, although only Strelitzia Reginae and Strelitzia Nicolai are treated as houseplants. Native to South Africa, Strelitzias are tough plants. From the five species of Strelitzia, two are popular houseplants. A lack of sunlight is a common reason why bird of paradise plants fail to bloom.  Although the plants will grow in low light or shade, they need plenty of bright light most of the day to achieve their best. Name meaning: The genus name was given in honor of Queen Charlotte (1744 – 1818), wife of George III, who was a princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Duchess . The plant can be grown in a container. Strelitzia Nicolai (Giant white bird of paradise) is an ornamental house plant. A more convenient method is to try and grow new plants from seeds. If you decide to move your bird of paradise plant outdoors during the summer to a patio, balcony, or deck, follow the same care instructions for light. The leaves as well as being bigger and longer than S. reginae's, tend to be shinier and greener. The standard bird of paradise ( Strelitzia reginae) grows 6 feet tall with orange, blue and white heron's head-shaped flowers, while the giant variety ( Strelitzia nicolai) can reach a height of 30 feet with blue and white blooms. Strelitzia tends not to grow in Winter, in darker spots or just after a repotting (its energy is being spent growing its massive tap roots). They always make a statement and the ultimate magnificence of a mature plant will command attention above everything around it. Both of these problems can be solved by flushing the potting soil. It flowers only when properly established and division of the plant may affect flowering patterns. To successfully grow a bird of paradise inside in containers, you should mimic its natural growing conditions—bright light, warmth, and humidity. They don’t survive frost well, and too much cold can kill the plants. As the plant ages, more flowers will appear. Bird of paradise flowers can be orange, yellow, or white with hints of blue. It is relatively hardy and adapts to a wide spectrum of light conditions from direct … This is the common Strelitzia reginae type of plant that most of us know. The simple fix is to provide more light so the newer leaves grow closer together. The flowers are long lasting on the plant as well as in arrangements. A common disease to affect birds of paradise is the gray mold fungal infection Botrytis cinerea. They’re perfect for beginner gardeners as they don’t ask very much once established, and are fa… In fall and winter, you have to water the potted plant less often. There isn't much that can keep Royalty down and therefore problems afflicting Bird of Paradise are normally rare. Slowly run water through the soil for two to three minutes. Bird of paradise, or strelitzia reginae, produces thick, leathery leaves and colorful flowers that resemble the shape of a bird's head. No matter how much you like the look of the white flowers of S. nicolai do not go looking for it unless you have the space to house it. Bird of Paradise plants in brighter, warmer spots are going to need considerably more than those in darker positions. The weight of the bird on the "beak" opens it to release the pollen onto the bird, which is then deposited on the next flower it visits. The good news about growing bird of paradise Strelitzia plants indoors is that you rarely have to prune them. The type of pot you choose for your S. reginae and S. nicolai plants can also affect moisture levels. Ingesting parts of the plant can cause irritation, vomiting, or drowsiness. Visually this may not seem much, but the thick roots beneath the soil surface are truly monstrous and will fill a pot in no time, making this quite a fast growing plant. Flowers. Well-draining, fertile soil that has organic matter mixed in will help your plants thrive. Feeding: annual application of controlled-release fertiliser. Trim dead or decaying roots as necessary. A plant which is in a darker spot will produce leaves which are on longer petioles (the stem like part) and in more dispersed and wider positions. Use all-purpose houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. The plants will generally head for height rather than spread. Yellow flowering Bird of Paradise plants had been around in the wild for a number of years. The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom.A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower/plant, because of a resemblance of its flowers to birds-of-paradise. Flowering can take up to 10 years from this stage. It does this to increase the leaf surface area exposed to light, in order to maximize the limited light it does receive. Rather than sticking to a set schedule for watering, use the soil condition as a gauge. Birds of paradise need warm temperatures indoors and outdoors to flourish. The up to 1 feet (30 cm) long, boat-shaped bract encloses from 5 to 10 flowers which emerge in sequence. Wait until all the water has completely drained. They love humid and hot climates and can grow up to 30 inches in height if left in the wilderness. Divide the rhizome so that the new plant has at least one healthy stem and three or four leaves on it. Many plants adapt well to living indoors as houseplants, but the Bird of Paradise suffers more than most if it's locked up inside all year around. The plumes are vibrant orange and electric blue–violet. Over the last 20 years Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. If you want to be able to move around the larger indoor plants, you can place them on heavy-duty plant caddies and wheel them to the shower. Flowering may take place at any time of the year, but is usually between July and December. You can encourage blooms, but ultimately we have no power to order a King or Queen to do anything quickly. … The essential care requirement for Strelitzia plants to flower is plenty of bright sunlight. Other reasons for curling leaves include: Discolored leaves that are brown and with crispy patches could be due to a lack of moisture or a buildup of mineral salts. If you want lots of growth, and eventually flowers, it's going to need bright light and some sun. If you’re growing birds of paradise in pots indoors, try to avoid extremes of temperatures. If you're having problems getting the flowers then the following steps should hopefully help. Stagnant air isn’t suitable for most houseplants—and birds of paradise are no exception. Birds of paradise like to be somewhat rootbound. The speed of Bird of Paradise growth in good conditions can be seen with roughly one new leaf each month during the growing seasons. If you have dead leaves growing out the ground, either gently pull them out or cut them close to the base with clean pruning shears. Credit for the Yellow "Mandela’s Gold" / "Kirstenbosch Gold" photo to Martin Addison The leathery leaves are held upright on stiff leafstalks and are about 6 inches wide and 18 inches long. Being exposed to the elements harden's up the growth and will make your plant stronger. We used one of these plants as an example attempt in our Repotting guide if you want some more tips or tricks be sure to have a read of it. It's very easy to pick up a young plant and so this method works particular well. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), birds of paradise are poisonous for cats, dogs, and horses. The plant forms a 3- to 5-foot-tall clump that can be used as a focal point i… It’s now in a 4” pot. All plants in the genus Strelitzia—birds of paradise and crane lilies—are toxic. Bird of paradise plant leaves curling is a classic sign of being thirsty. How Often to Water Houseplants: How to Water Indoor Plants Correctly, Syngonium Care - How to Grow Arrowhead Plant, How to Get Rid of White Mold on Plants (Ultimate Guide), Marble Queen Pothos (Devil’s Ivy Plant) Care and Growing Guide, Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) Care: How to Grow Bird of Paradise Plant Indoors (With Pictures), Unusual, Cool and Unique Plants With Weird Flowers, The Best Shower Plants to Keep in Your Bathroom. If you get a seed pod when flowering finishes why not pot them up and give any seedlings away to family and friends. When transferring birds of paradise to a new container, you can also check for root damage or rot. For even more Houseplant articles you may like our. By using birds rather than smaller insects to do the pollinating it means as the plant ages and gets bigger rather than the plant producing ever increasing numbers of the same sized flowers, as you find in many other houseplants, what you'll notice is the blooms themselves tend to also get larger and larger. The most critical care factor is that they don’t “stand” in wet, damp soil. When propagating, remember that Strelitzia plants prefer growing in clumps—bushy plants produce the most orange or white flowers. Birds of paradise need regular watering to keep the soil moist. Because crane lilies are tall, flowering houseplants, they need a sturdy container to support them. Each flower consists of three purplish-blue petals, two of which are fused together to form an arrowhead-shaped nectary. Flowering mostly occurs fall to spring. We can't stress enough that these plants are truly spectacular, not just in their flowers but also in their eventual size. When growing Strelitzia plants indoors, the leaves can often tell you much about the plant’s health. All Strelitzia plants need regular watering to keep the soil moist. Orange Bird of Paradise: The orange flowering Strelitzia reginae is the plant most often referred to as Bird of Paradise. What are the best ways to increase humidity levels to keep your crane lilies happy? S. reginae is very well known, and arguably the most common species (picture above). The southern African genus Strelitzia comprises five species, some of which resemble palm trees or banana plants. Strelitzia reginae is a native to the eastern coastlines of southern Africa, where it grows wild in patches that are sometimes miles across. Wiping the leaves with neem oil not only gets rid of pesky bugs but also makes the leaves shine even more. 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