Is not it always a great idea to bring an exotic touch to indoor spaces by plants? The Bird of Paradise became increasingly popular over the years, now known as the queen of the indoor plant world. The sweet look of their banana-shaped leaves and the charming colors of their flowers are only two of the reasons to consider having one.
General Information
Bird of paradise is a South African plant in origin. They are somehow all over the world now. When it comes to where its name originated: The answer is quite easy to guess. The plant got its name from the bird of the same name due to its resemblance. The striking electric blue and neon orange flowers are very reminiscent of the head of the exotic bird.
Strelitzia is one of the best-known tropical plants. It is possible to see them on the reverse of the 50 cent coin, in addition to on the floral emblem of the City of Los Angeles. The plant makes a difference with some of its qualities. Firstly they are quite easier to grow compared to most tropical plants and meet the need for a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant for interiors. Therefore the genus is embraced by both plant lovers and interior designers.
It is also necessary to mention the plant in a biological manner: It is by a simple definition a genus of five species in the plant family named Strelitziaceae. The five species in the family are all perennial plants. Strelitzia is the largest in the family, possibly reaching 10 m tall, while the other species typically reach 2 to 3.5 m heights. Banana-shaped leaves take their origin from a biologically close relation to the banana plant. Banana-shaped leaves contribute to creating the captivating look with stately white and blue flowers, and a neon orange.
There is another feature of this houseplant that should be pointed out as well. They do not have a pet-friendly character. They are toxic to dogs and cats. Toxic tannins can be found in the flower seeds, while hydrocyanic acid can be found in the leaves. If your pet ingests the blooms or leaves, even if the toxicity is minor, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Poisoning symptoms include labored breathing, ocular discharge, and stomach irritation.
How to Care for Strelitzia
Growing conditions for a bird of paradise are not hard to provide. But remember that some of the specific conditions make a major difference on the plant. Strelitzia typically thrives in warm and humid regions. By a quick summary: It does need warmth, lots of direct sunlight, and humidity.
Sunlight
This houseplant needs lots of bright direct light to grow. The plant can also adapt to a medium amount of light, but the growing process probably slows. That means the owners should choose a space that gets a minimum of 4 hours of direct light. Another point to remember is that: The plant grows towards the light source. This means rotating the plant every few weeks is necessary to ensure it grows evenly in each direction.
Watering
Watering schedules varies from one individual to another because their need for water is likely to differ depending on their environmental conditions and the season. Outcomes indicate that: It is more beneficial and practical to gradually reduce watering in autumn and winter while keeping moist during the spring and summers. This method aims to allow the compost to dry out before watering again. Another point to highlight is that: Watering the plant when the top 50% of the soil is dry is the accepted recommendation by a number of botanists. Fill the pot halfway with water and drain any water that has gathered in the saucer through the drainage hole at the bottom.
Humidity and Temperature
Bird of Paradise prefers high humidity and an average indoor temperature of 15-25 Celcius degrees. It is not tolerant of the cold. So during the winter, keeping the air temperature above 15 Celcius degrees is highly recommended. In case it goes through frost damage, eventually recovers but it takes some time. To provide needed humidity, on the other hand, keeping a spray bottle handy will help you care better to mist.
Soil type
Well-draining soil is ideal for these plants. A standard indoor potting mix would be sufficient, but you can add extra perlite or fir bark for better drainage.
Fertilizing
This plant requires heavy feeding. It is better to have both slow-release fertilizer pellets and liquid fertilizers. Feeding it during the springs and summers by using slow-release pellets or weekly during the growing season by using liquid fertilizer is the embraced method in the plant world.
Propagation
The best ways for the plant to propagate are division and sowing seeds. It is a clear fact that: Division is easier and much quicker than growing from seed. It is much more practical to get mature plants that have been previously blooming for the last few years. This makes sense when we remember the fact that flowering from seeds can take up to 10 years.
Common Problems
Strelizia may not be considered a pretty easy-going plant for a few reasons. The main issues to keep in mind are that: The plant is extremely prone to root rot and undesirable insects that prey on the plant in case the needed conditions are not met. However, remember that: If the watering, feeding, light conditions, and air circulations are optimal, most of the probable problems are avoided.
Root rot is the most prevalent disease that is affected by strelitzia. A fungus that causes root rot can overwhelm a plant if its roots are submerged in water or the soil becomes moist for an extended period of time. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings can help you avoid this. A decaying stench is another indicator that you have root rot. If found early enough, some plants can be rescued without getting damaged much. Pull up the rhizomes to treat root rot.
