Bird of Paradise Problems: Brown Edges, Split Leaves and No Flowers
The three things people worry about with an indoor bird of paradise are split leaves, brown edges and no flowers. The first is normal: the leaves are built to tear, and a little splitting is the plant doing what it does in the wild. Brown, crispy edges usually mean dry air or uneven watering. And no flowers almost always means not enough light, because indoor plants rarely get the sun they need to bloom. Here's how to tell what's going on with yours, and what to do.
First: which bird of paradise do you have?
- Strelitzia reginae (orange bird of paradise): smaller, with stiff, blue-grey leaves and the famous orange and blue flowers. The one most likely to flower indoors.
- Strelitzia nicolai (white or giant bird of paradise): the big, banana-like plant sold as a statement houseplant. Can reach the ceiling, with white flowers that rarely appear indoors.
Care is nearly the same; nicolai is a bit more forgiving and much bigger.
Split leaves: usually fine
In their native South Africa, the leaves split along the veins so wind passes through instead of tearing the whole plant over. Indoors, splitting happens from brushing past the plant, being moved, a fan or draught, or the leaf drying out as it unfurls.
Fix: you don't need to. Splits don't harm the plant. If a new leaf is splitting badly as it opens, raise the humidity a little. If one looks too tatty, cut it off at the base; new leaves will replace it.
Brown, crispy edges
Brown tips and edges, sometimes with a yellow line between the brown and the green, are the most common complaint. Usual causes, in order:
- Dry air. Heating in winter is the classic trigger. Group it with other plants or use a humidifier nearby; misting does very little.
- Uneven watering. Letting it dry out completely, then soaking it. Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, thoroughly, and let it drain.
- Salts and minerals in tap water building up in the soil. Flush the pot with plenty of water every couple of months, or use filtered or rainwater.
- Too much direct midday sun through glass on a plant that isn't used to it.
Brown edges don't turn green again. Trim them off along the leaf's shape with clean scissors if they bother you, and watch the new leaves.
Our guide to brown leaf tips covers the same problem across all houseplants.
Curling leaves
Leaves curling inward lengthways usually mean the plant is thirsty or the air is very dry. Check the soil first. If it's wet and the leaves are curling and yellowing, the problem is the opposite: overwatering and possibly root rot. See overwatering vs underwatering for how to tell.
Yellow leaves
One old leaf at the bottom yellowing now and then is normal. Several at once usually means too much water, especially in winter when growth slows. Let the top of the soil dry out more between waterings, and make sure the pot drains.
No flowers
This is the hardest one indoors. A bird of paradise needs:
- Lots of light: ideally several hours of direct sun a day, like a south-facing window or a summer outside. Most indoor plants simply don't get enough.
- Maturity: plants usually need to be 3 to 5 years old before they flower.
- A snug pot: they flower better slightly root-bound, so don't repot too often.
- Feeding in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertiliser.
If yours is a nicolai, accept that indoor flowers are rare and enjoy the leaves.
Is bird of paradise safe for pets?
Not entirely. The ASPCA lists the orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. It's a mild irritant: the main risk is from the seeds and fruit, causing nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Don't confuse it with the shrub also called "bird of paradise" (Caesalpinia), which is more toxic. See our list of houseplants toxic to cats and dogs.
If you're not sure what's wrong, Planted can identify the plant from a photo and point out what's causing the damage.
Common questions
Why are my bird of paradise leaves splitting?
It's natural. The leaves are designed to split so wind passes through them. Draughts, knocks and dry air make it happen faster indoors, but it doesn't harm the plant.
Why does my bird of paradise have brown edges?
Usually dry air, uneven watering, or mineral build-up from tap water. Increase humidity, water thoroughly when the top few inches are dry, and flush the soil now and then.
How do I get my bird of paradise to flower?
Give it as much bright light as possible, including some direct sun, feed it in spring and summer, and keep it slightly root-bound. Plants usually need to be several years old first.
How often should I water a bird of paradise?
When the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, less in winter.