Bird of Paradise: The New Floral Trend
Using plants as decor items is currently one of the biggest trends. Not only can they bring some color and vividness to spaces, but they’re also indispensable for cleaning the atmosphere and balancing energy. Today, you’ll discover one of the most beautiful flowers that’s capturing the attention of decor junkies – the bird of paradise.
This is a tropical species that you’ve surely seen in colorful floral centerpieces, but it can also be a stunning houseplant. So, let’s find out more!
Some information about the bird of paradise
The scientific name for this group of plants is Strelitzia, although the best known is the bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginæ). Surely you’ve seen its brightly colored orange flowers that look like a bird’s head.
However, lately, the popularity of this deep green plant with its spear-shaped leaves has increased. These large and lush palms have become the object of desire for all decorators and you should know all about it.
Where it’s from
The bird of paradise is an herbaceous plant native to South Africa and, contrary to what you might imagine, it’s quite easy to take care of. So, it’s suitable to decorate any house, even for people who don’t have green fingers.
Keep in mind that if you take care of it properly, it can grow up to 6 1/2 feet, so you should think very carefully about where you’re going to put it.
Basic care
This is a plant that can be part of your garden or live indoors. Although it isn’t particularly delicate, you must take into account some quirks to keep it in good condition. Take note of the care the bird of paradise needs.
Watering
It needs a little bit of constant water since it’s from the tropics. As a result, humidity is fundamental. Make sure to pay attention to the soil and to avoid water buildup (see here how you can save an overwatered plant). However, also make sure that the soil doesn’t completely dry either. Furthermore, the right thing to do is to water it every 24 or 48 hours in summer, and every 72 hours in winter.
Sunlight and temperature needs of the bird of paradise
The bird of paradise requires good lighting to grow green and lush, so you should place it somewhere where it receives bright indirect sunlight.
As it’s from a warm region, it doesn’t tolerate low temperatures, so if you live in an area where the temperature drops below 41°F in winter, you must keep it inside, protected from the cold. Therefore, the ideal temperature for it to be strong and healthy is between 53ºF and 77ºF.
Pests and diseases
Tropical species living in different environments can be susceptible to insects and fungi found in humid environments. Specifically, this species can have the following pests and diseases:
- Mealybugs
- Mites
- Aphids
- Gray mold
- Fusarium wilt
If you want to prevent your bird of paradise from getting sick, you should consider some extra care:
- Avoid getting the soil too wet, since vascular fungi can appear.
- In spring and summer, aphids, mites, and mealybugs are usually more active. A few sprays of soap and water every few days will get rid of them.
- Avoid stagnant water in saucers or pots, as it can cause root asphyxiation. You’ll notice this if you see it’s losing its original greenness.
If you want a bird of paradise in your home, find a place to place it with its beautiful deep green leaves. You can find it at Home Depot.
When your plant fully blooms, enjoy the colorfulness and uniqueness. However, you should prevent it from competing with other colors you have in your decor.