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Friday, February 14, 2025

Chook of Paradise Care Information – HOUSE PLANT HOUSE


We’re speaking plant care right this moment as I’ve put collectively a care information for Strelitzia, generally often called Chook of Paradise, Crane flower/ Crane plant or (confusingly) banana tree. Lately, Strelitzia, or BoP as I usually consult with them, have definitely grow to be extra broadly out there. When you’ve got been considering of buying certainly one of these hanging foliage houseplants I hope you discover this publish useful in understanding their care necessities a bit higher.

Introduction

In hotter climates Strelitzia develop outdoor as backyard vegetation, whereas in cooler circumstances like the UK, they make for a fantastically statuesque, indoor plant. As I at all times say in my Plant Care posts, serious about the place your vegetation develop in nature will actually assist you to to know their care wants. Additionally, understanding their plant kin will help. Strelitzia are intently associated to the Musaceae, or banana plant – each share a visible similarity with their massive, paddle-shaped leaves. Strelitzia is native to South Africa and is a species of evergreen tropical herbaceous plant.

During the last two years, I’ve seen a rise in demand for Birds of Paradise to be stored as houseplants. I believe it’s right down to their majestic look and their capability to create a tropical, leafy look to an in any other case bizarre house. These vegetation have critical impression so in case you like a extra minimal fashion and might present sufficient circumstances, these are an awesome possibility to contemplate. Please be aware that these vegetation are typically thought of poisonous and dangerous if eaten, so maintain out of attain of youngsters or pets.

Within the publish, I’ll be overlaying the subjects of:

  • varieties
  • gentle
  • watering
  • humidity + temperature
  • leaf care
  • fertilising
  • pests
  • repotting
  • potting combine (+ pots)
  • propagation + pruning

BoP varieties: Strelitzia reginae vs. Strelitzia nicolai

There are two kinds of Chook of Paradise which might be hottest as houseplants. These are the Strelitzia reginae and the Strelitzia nicolai. Don’t be fooled in considering they’re comparable by way of scale and dimension although…

The reginae selection is comparatively petite in type and might typically develop to 1-1.8 metres / 3-6 ft in peak. It has longer, slimmer paddle-shaped foliage. In case you are fortunate sufficient on your plant to bloom, the flowers are a vibrant orange and blue and completely spectacular.

Alternatively, its relative, the Strelitzia nicolai is also referred to as the ‘Large’ Chook of Paradise. As you possibly can most likely guess, that is the bigger selection which might attain round 3 metres / 9.8 ft in peak when grown as a houseplant. Of their pure habitat, they’ll rival timber by way of their scale and develop to a humungous 6 metres / 19 ft! In an analogous technique to banana (Musa) vegetation, nicolai leaves can tear and are extra rugged in look. The flowers on the large BoP are white in color, although each vegetation are fairly shy to come back into bloom in common family circumstances. However extra on that later.

While the reginae is extra broadly out there in my expertise, the nicolai does appear to be rising in recognition as a houseplant too.

At all times learn the label…

A pal of mine informed me she’d picked up a Chook of Paradise plant when doing her grocery procuring, it was early 2020 I believe. She was fairly new to houseplants and didn’t realise there have been completely different BoP’s to select from… and he or she unknowingly picked up a nicolai! Let’s simply say it’s practically hitting the ceiling by this level…! For many houses, a Strelitzia reginae is a extra manageable dimension to include into your house. However in case you have the peak for it, it could possibly develop to look fairly unimaginable.

Mild

The sunshine requirement for a cheerful Strelitzia is maybe the primary side of their care that the novice plant lover can overlook. Attributable to their scale and span (particularly the Strelitzia nicolai), these vegetation are sometimes relegated to the nook of a room. True, they’ll look pretty on this location but it surely’s vital to decide on a well-lit nook that receives shiny, oblique gentle.

I’ve experimented with plant positioning in my earlier three houses and doubtless, the extra gentle my Strelitzia obtained, the happier it was. I’m based mostly within the northern hemisphere for reference. Throughout excessive summer time, you would possibly want to guard the plant from the direct solar because the leaves can burn if the depth is simply too nice. In my outdated condominium (picture under) my plant was 0.5 metres from my south-west dealing with window and it thrived. Right here it obtained a couple of hours of late afternoon sunshine. A place adjoining to a window will usually permit the plant to be barely sheltered from direct solar, which will help stop scorching. A light-weight internet or voile is one other simple repair to filter the sunshine considerably – I discovered them significantly helpful in my South dealing with house final Summer time.

Keep in mind that these are the circumstances which might be private to my present surroundings + are used as a information so that you can examine with your personal residence. It’s vital to additionally keep in mind that home windows may be fairly completely different in dimension + in case you reside in a constructed up space, with different buildings shut by, or if there are obstacles like timber outdoors, this all has an impression on the depth of sunshine.

At residence with my Strelitzia reginae in my outdated condominium (above) and the cottage I stayed at in the course of the constructing works of the renovation (under):

Watering

In periods of lively progress, a Strelitzia likes to be watered totally earlier than permitting the highest layer of potting combine to dry out earlier than watering once more – across the high inch or two. These vegetation have BIG ROOTS and may be heavy, so it’s not a type of vegetation that when it turns into gentle to choose up, watering might be wanted. For my environmental circumstances, I discover I water my plant roughly as soon as each 7 days throughout rising season. Throughout Winter, progress would possibly decelerate, or cease altogether if the temperatures are chilly sufficient. At this level, it’s very important to not overwater the BoP or else the roots can go mushy and decay. A rookie mistake is to maintain watering as ‘regular’ to try to promote progress in case your plant has received a bit sleepy.

By way of watering, keep in mind that tepid (room temperature) water is at all times greatest on your houseplants as something too chilly can shock them. If it’s in a single, take your Strelitzia out of the cache pot and water totally till water runs out of the drainage gap. It’s not a good suggestion to let your houseplants sit in water inside their pots. Additionally, in case your planter doesn’t have a drainage gap, be cautious of overwatering! The decrease leaves of a BoP will usually yellow if overwatered. Conversely, Strelitzia would possibly present indicators of drying out by curling their foliage inwards. In case you wrestle to get your houseplant watering proper, a hygrometer will help to guage issues.

Under left exhibits a younger Strelitzia reginae plant when it fitted on my plant shelf within the condominium (again proper)!

Humidity + Temperature

Contemplating their tropical backgrounds, it at all times surprises me simply how effectively Strelitzia do in typical residence environments. They develop properly with out the necessity for any supplemental humidity – reasonable humidities are superb. Be sure you maintain your plant away from any draughts – too near open home windows or heaters are a no-no. Houseplants dislike sudden drops in temperature, and the BoP isn’t any exception. Strelitzia get pleasure from temperatures between 21°C-30°C / 70°F-86°F probably the most and that is when they’re more likely to be actively rising. They do tolerate temperatures right down to 13°C / 55°F although. They’re happiest at temperatures within the 20°C’s although – the colder the temperature, the slower the expansion.

Leaf Care

Strelitzia leaf cleansing is a big a part of their care routine. Like Ficus vegetation, the paddle-shaped foliage generally is a little bit of a dust-magnet! Mud construct up veils the leaves and makes it more durable for the plant to photosynthesise. Birds of Paradise don’t at all times have that many leaves, so it’s vital to maintain the leaves it does have clear. My Strelitzia is fairly heavy so I don’t take it to have a bathe anymore! As a substitute I exploit my stress sprayer (linked right here)  and a clear, lint-free material. I truly like to make use of an outdated t-shirt for this activity. Shifting to a hard-water space means my leaves actually do want a superb wipe right down to keep away from water marks.

Fertilising

Birds of Paradise get pleasure from occasional feeding in the course of the rising season. They aren’t heavy feeders in my expertise however common feeding will help to maintain your vegetation wholesome and powerful. I fertilise mine as soon as to twice a month with a balanced liquid houseplant feed at half the really helpful dilution charge. You would possibly encounter brown markings on the leaves in case your fertiliser is simply too robust. As a plant that will get watered frequently you’re unlikely to come across any issues with fertiliser burn. However it’s good observe to verify the potting combine isn’t excessively dry earlier than feeding as a precaution. In case your local weather is kind of completely different to mine and your vegetation develop persistently year-round, then extra common fertilising is okay! The best technique to decide whether or not or to not feed is that if your plant has new leaves rising! 

Pests

Giving your houseplants the proper care is one of the best ways to maintain them resilient to any potential pest pressures. The most typical purpose for a pest outbreak is commonly because of incorrect care, and/or very low humidities, coupled with excessive temperatures. Air movement is a consideration too – thankfully the form of Strelitzia vegetation imply the house round their elongated stems is usually good. Permitting the air to flow into round your houseplants is useful to all of them. Strive to not cram too many collectively as this could present beneficial circumstances for pests to congregate. In case you are new to houseplants, it’s at all times greatest to take time to contemplate what varieties will work on your life-style / your family circumstances.

Pests to be careful for with Strelitzia are spider mites and mealy bugs. As sun-loving vegetation, please be aware that these brighter gentle areas also can exacerbate any lurking pest issues. When you’ve got a recovering BoP, it’s greatest to maintain in a extra ambient gentle spot for a couple of weeks.

After I deliver a brand new plant into my residence, I’ll at all times quarantine it for a couple of weeks. Then, I’ll give it an intensive inspection in good gentle and sometimes a soil change earlier than introducing it to my different vegetation. As I’ve numerous vegetation, this is a vital step in guaranteeing my assortment isn’t compromised by pests introduced in by new vegetation. It’s completely definitely worth the slight inconvenience of getting a ‘new plant gang’ hanging round on the kitchen desk.

In case you discover a pest downside, an insecticidal cleaning soap spray and bathtub (roots and all) is an efficient place to begin, earlier than showering down. After any therapy, I like to make use of SB plant invigorator both as a prepared to make use of spray, or you may also get a concentrated bottle to dilute right into a spray bottle your self. Be additional cautious on extra delicate foliage and at all times take a look at part of the plant first. Watch out to maintain out of direct gentle because the leaves can be extra delicate after any pest therapy.

I’ve additionally used a neem oil resolution in a twig bottle which can be very efficient for one thing extra widespread. If it’s one thing very minor, a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol also can work. It’d sound unconventional, however helpful bugs can actually assist to deliver a extra widespread outbreak underneath management. They’re definitely changing into extra broadly out there as a way of pest administration, however I’ve not tried this myself. When I’ve a pest situation with my vegetation, I at all times isolate them for numerous weeks in my kitchen/quarantine zone and monitor earlier than reintroducing close to my different plant gang. In case you uncover a pest situation, it’s at all times greatest to hold out an intensive verify of any pots that have been situated close by, or any ones which might be typically extra delicate to an assault.

Repotting

To begin with, Strelitzia roots are LARGE! I’ve damaged a planter or two over the course of preserving a BoP… The roots can fill out the planter a lot that the outdated pot would possibly should be reduce off! Sounds excessive, but when these roots, you’ll know what I imply. You may additionally discover them rising out via the drainage holes.

Early Spring is a perfect time to re-pot your plant if it wants it. Earlier than any repotting, water the plant a couple of days beforehand to prep your plant for its pot improve. By way of repotting frequency, annual repotting on youthful vegetation is commonly sufficient. Let the roots dictate when the plant might do with a bigger pot. Improve the pot dimension regularly as large jumps in dimension aren’t advisable. Loosen the roots gently together with your arms, being cautious to not harm the chunky roots when doing so. For extra mature vegetation, it’s a good suggestion to carry off repotting too incessantly. A pot-bound plant will help encourage flowering. See under for extra on that.

Potting combine

The potting combine that I’ve discovered to work for my Strelitzia is a free-draining gentle and ethereal mixture of peat-free houseplant compost, perlite + orchid bark. I’ll pop a hyperlink right here for the blogpost and element elements I exploit right here. A typical downside is that some vegetation may be in poor high quality soil of their nursery pot, which is commonly too dense for the plant to be blissful long-term. This could imply that the potting combine will keep saturated for longer than is greatest on your plant. Getting to know how soil amendments can profit your vegetation is vital in preserving your houseplants blissful.

A NOTE ON POTS: 

The kind of pot you select to make use of can be intrinsically linked to your combine and watering necessities. For me, I choose to make use of nursery pots with nearly all of my houseplants as a result of I discover they dry out too rapidly in terracotta. Terracotta is far more porous and can wick the moisture away from the plant. In case you intend to make use of terracotta for plant styling causes, you possibly can at all times use the terracotta as a canopy pot. That is private choice after all! In case you are a giant time over-waterer, you truly would possibly discover terracotta may be corrective in serving to to handle your over-zealous watering efforts! Nevertheless it’s a tough one to guage so watch out with vegetation that require extra frequent watering. Personally, I discover Strelitzia to dry out too rapidly for me in terracotta.

Propagation + pruning

The most typical propagation technique for a Chook of Paradise is by division, however seed propagation can be doable. From seed, the plant will take numerous years to succeed in sufficient maturity to provide flowers. To propagate Strelitzia by division, you’ll have greatest success with a extra mature plant that has a developed root system. You’ll have the ability to observe in older vegetation that the expansion may be cut up/divided into ‘clumps’ of plant. You’ll then have the ability to pot these up as you want. Do keep in mind that propagation by division will possible trigger the ‘dad or mum’ plant to skip a yr of blooming.

Attributable to their progress behavior, it’s unlikely you’ll want to prune your Strelitzia. In case you want to take away any leaves although, at all times use a pointy, sterile blade to cut again. Keep in mind to wash the blade between pruning various kinds of houseplants too. Most significantly although, watch out to not reduce the spathe if current. See under…

Flowering

As we mentioned in the direction of the start of the blogpost, Strelitzia flowers really are a sight to behold. Flowering can happen when the plant has reached maturity of 3-4 years. Youthful vegetation may be potted on when mandatory, however because the BoP matures, be aware of frequent re-potting. It’s because proscribing the roots is significant in encouraging the plant to bloom. When the plant has reached its full maturity and peak, look out for the expansion of a spathe. That is the place flowers will develop so ensure to not harm or prune this half! Additionally take additional care of the spathe if repotting. You’ll additionally wish to shield the flowers from harsh direct gentle.The flowers may be fairly elusive when the Strelitzia is grown as an indoor plant. In case you can present optimum circumstances although, you would possibly simply witness a present of blooms in time! Persistence is vital right here.

Listed here are some flowering Strelitzia photographs from my Barbican Conservatory blogpost, Edinburgh publish and my HPH visits… Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux:

Conclusion

I hope you preferred this Strelitzia / Chook of Paradise plant care publish and thanks on your blogpost requests. As these vegetation mature, they’re high-impact architectural vegetation to have at residence. While penning this publish, I may need satisfied myself that I ought to add a Large BoP to my assortment… I can actually envisage it within the double peak house within the Chapel renovation! Yow will discover this publish underneath my ‘Plant Care Guides’ tab in case you want to refer again to it. Listed here are some pins to share or save too:

*Affiliate hyperlinks are used within the publish which suggests I can obtain a (very) small quantity of fee in case you make a purchase order — thanks for supporting my weblog. I usually get requested the place I get particular gadgets from so have linked these within the publish. I’ve purchased all these merchandise with my very own cash.

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