Watch Your Bird of Paradise THRIVE with These 7 Expert Tips (It’s Simple!)

Growing a Bird of Paradise plant indoors can bring a touch of the tropics to your home. This exotic plant, with its striking flowers and lush leaves, can thrive inside with the right care.

But How to Grow Bird of Paradise Indoors? To thrive Bird of Paradise, the plant needs bright, indirect light, and temperatures between 65-75°F. Of course, it’s with high humidity. Water thoroughly, and fertilize every two weeks in spring and summer. Reduce feeding in fall and winter, and prune regularly. Repot every 2-3 years using well-draining soil and watch for pests.

Want to learn more in detail? Let’s share a complete guide to raising this plant!

How to Grow Bird of Paradise Indoors? A Step-by-step Guide!

Bring the tropic indoors with Bird of Paradise! For this, just follow the guide about everything you need to know to grow the plant –

Choosing the Right Plant

Picking the perfect Bird of Paradise is step one!

When you head to the nursery, keep your eyes peeled for a sturdy specimen. You want thick stems that stand up nice and straight – no wilting allowed.

Also, the leaves should be rich, vibrant green without any unsightly brown edges or yellowing. Run your hands along the leaves and stem – they should feel firm, not limp or flimsy.

Potting and Soil

Once you’ve got your prime plant picked out, it’s time to get it settled into its new home.

Grab a pot that’s 2-4 inches wider than the nursery pot, with drainage holes in the bottom. We want those roots to breathe! For the soil, you’ll need a well-draining tropical mix. African violet or orchid mixes work great.

If you need a little extra drainage, mix in some perlite or coarse sand. And make sure that the soil is just slightly on the acidic side of neutral around 6.0-6.5 pH.

Light Requirements

These Birds of Paradise originate from sunny South Africa, so they need a decent dose of light.

An east or west-facing window with 6-8 hours of direct morning or afternoon sun is perfect. If that sun gets too intense, just filter it through some sheer curtains. Southern exposures can be scorchers, so give it some shade.

If you’re really struggling with light, supplement with a grow light.

Temperature and Humidity

Your Bird craves that warm, humid air. Daytime temps between 65-80°F and nighttime around 60-65°F are ideal. For humidity, I’ve got two tricks for you.

First, you can set the pot on a waterproof saucer lined with pebbles and water to create a pebble tray. Or set up a cool mist humidifier nearby to get those humidity levels to 50-60%.

Just make sure to give it decent airflow too with an oscillating fan or open windows.

Watering Rules

Don’t overwater your Bird of Paradise pal – that’s a surefire way to get root rot. Here’s what I recommend: Stick your finger into the soil, and only water when the top 1-2 inches have dried out.

When you do water, really drench it until excess water drains out the bottom. Then pour out any excess sitting in the saucer after 30 minutes. In the winter when growth slows, you can cut back on watering.

Fertilizing Every 2 Weeks

To keep your plant fed, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. During those prime spring and summer growing months, fertilize every 2 weeks. Once fall and winter roll around and growth chills out, you can back it down to once a month.

Pruning and Repotting

Don’t be afraid to prune! If any leaves are dead, damaged or just looking uglier than you’d like, snip them off with clean pruners. Every 2-3 years in late winter or early spring, go ahead and repot into a fresh container 2 inches wider than the previous one with new soil.

Encouraging Blooms

Consistent warm temperatures, high humidity, and bright light are key for getting those showstopping Bird of Paradise blooms. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and prune off any spent flowers to encourage new ones.

Common Problems to Resolve When Growing Bird of Paradise

When growing a Bird of Paradise plant, you may face some problems. So, I suggest keeping an eye out for spider mites, mealybugs, or other pesky insects. If you notice nutrient deficiencies like yellowing or spots, get on that quickly. The same goes for any diseases. Don’t hesitate to troubleshoot based on symptoms.

You can also see the video to get some help to grow the plant with more knowledge!

Let me know if you need any other indoor tropical plant tips! With some TLC, you’ll have that Bird of Paradise blooming away indoors.

FAQs

Want to learn more about growing Bird of Paradise? Check out the following Q&A section!

Q: Can I put my Bird of Paradise plant outside in the summer?

A: Yes, absolutely! Bird of Paradise plants can be moved outdoors for the summer.

Q: My Bird of Paradise has brown leaf tips. What’s wrong?

A: This could be caused by a few factors: under-watering, low humidity, or mineral build-up from tap water. Try adjusting your watering routine, misting the leaves regularly, or using filtered water.

Q: Is it normal for my Bird of Paradise to not flower indoors?

A: Yes, flowering indoors can be challenging for Bird of Paradise plants. They require consistent, bright light and mature age (around 5 years) to bloom.

Q: My Bird of Paradise is leaning sideways. What should I do?

A: This is likely due to insufficient light. Rotate your plant regularly to ensure even growth and encourage it to reach toward the sunlight.

Q: Should I keep Bird of Paradise indoors or outdoors?

A: Enjoy it outdoors in summer, bring it in before frost. Consider keeping it indoors year-round if you prefer. But in colder climates, indoor growing is ideal. You can take it outside for short periods on warm days.

Final Word

Growing a Bird of Paradise indoors is an adventure, but totally doable with some know-how. Follow the tips we covered, and you’ll be welcoming those exotic plants into your home in no time. For this, give them warm temps, high humidity, and bright indirect light they love.

With diligent care and by watching for any problems, your Bird of Paradise will be thriving away. I believe you’ll be happy to see the gorgeous blooms!