5 tips for on Strelitzia care for 2026

The Strelitzia, also known as the Bird of Paradise plant, is a tropical houseplant that stands out most because of her gigantic, fresh green leaves. These leaves resemble banana leaves or large paddles, instantly giving your interior an exotic jungle feeling!

Whether you already have one at home or this green beauty is still on your wishlist: with these five care tips, your Strelitzia will stay strong, healthy and beautifully green all year round.

1. The best spot for your Strelitzia

The key to a successful Strelitzia is light and space! Let your green friend first get used to bright, indirect light. After that, she can enjoy around three to four hours of direct sunlight each day. Be careful though: too much intense sun can cause brown or reddish spots on her leaves. An east-facing window or a spot a few metres away from a south-facing window is ideal for your Bird of Paradise plant. Rotate her regularly, dust her large leaves and use a grow light if she could use a little extra light. Protect your Strelitzia from draughts and big temperature changes, and you’ll keep your bird of paradise perfectly happy!

2. When should I water my Strelitzia?

In summer, you can water your Strelitzia regularly, especially when she gets lots of light and is actively growing. Let the top layer of soil dry out first before watering your Bird of Paradise plant again. In winter, she grows more slowly and you can reduce watering. Let the soil dry out a little more, but prevent the root ball from staying completely dry for too long. The Strelitzia is sensitive to overwatering, because her strong, fleshy roots can quickly rot when they stay too wet. So always make sure excess water can drain away properly. Not sure when it’s time to water? With a water meter, you can easily check the moisture level in the soil.

3. The right nutrition for your Strelitzia

The Strelitzia is a fast grower and can use a little extra love during the growing season. Feed your Bird of Paradise plant about once every two weeks in spring and summer to support her growth. You can use PLNTS nutrition, for example. Just make sure not to give too much, as a high dose can damage her roots. In winter, your Strelitzia grows much more slowly and doesn’t need any extra nutrition.

4. The perfect humidity for your Strelitzia

Because the Strelitzia is a tropical plant, she loves slightly higher humidity. A humidity level of around 60% to 70% is ideal, but try to keep it above 50% at the very least. Is the air too dry? Then the leaves can become dry and brittle, or tear more easily while unfurling. You can increase the humidity with a pebble tray or, even easier, with a humidifier. You can also lightly mist the leaves every now and then with a spray bottle. Preferably do this early in the morning or later in the evening, so strong sunlight doesn’t cause marks on the wet leaves. Not sure what your plant needs? Check out our other humidity tips!

5. When should I repot my Strelitzia?

You don’t need to repot the Bird of Paradise plant too quickly. The Strelitzia actually likes being a little pot-bound and can even bloom better in a slightly smaller pot. Has she been in the same pot for too long? Then her strong roots can push themselves upwards or even deform or break the nursery pot. That’s why it’s still important to repot your green friend every now and then. Preferably do this in spring or summer, using fresh soil and a pot that is only one size bigger. Read more about this in our repotting guide.

Frequently asked questions about Strelitzia care

Why do the leaves of my Strelitzia have brown or red spots?

Brown or reddish spots on the leaves of your Strelitzia can be caused by too much direct sunlight. Especially when your Bird of Paradise plant has just arrived at your home, she first needs to gently adjust to her new environment. Place her in bright, indirect light at first and let her slowly get used to direct sunlight. This helps prevent her large leaves from burning or becoming damaged.

Why do the leaves of my Strelitzia split?

Split leaves are completely normal for the Strelitzia and usually nothing to worry about. Her large leaves unfurl from a firm, rolled-up spear. During this unfurling process, tension can build up in the leaf, causing small tears to appear.

In nature, the leaves of the Bird of Paradise plant also split regularly. This helps wind pass through the large leaves more easily, so they are less likely to get damaged or break. Indoors, the leaves can also tear more quickly when they are touched often, moved around or when the humidity is too low.

Want to prevent new tears as much as possible? Keep the humidity at a minimum of 50%, touch new leaves as little as possible and give her enough space to unfurl calmly. A pebble tray or humidifier can help increase the humidity. Also check out our tips for measuring and improving humidity.

Why does my Strelitzia have yellow leaves?

Is your Strelitzia getting yellow leaves? This can have several causes, such as too much or too little water, too much direct sunlight or a lack of nutrients. First check the soil: does it feel very wet or has it been dry for a long time? Adjust your watering routine and check whether your Bird of Paradise plant is in a bright, comfortable spot without harsh midday sun.

A weakened Strelitzia can also be more sensitive to diseases or pests, such as spider mites. Dust the large leaves regularly and especially check the undersides of the leaves. Not sure if your plant is dealing with unwanted visitors? Read more on our page about diseases and pests.

Why are the leaves of my Strelitzia curling?

Curling leaves on a Strelitzia often point to low humidity or dehydration. By curling her leaves, your green friend is trying to hold on to moisture. Make sure the humidity stays above 50% and check that the soil isn’t staying dry for too long.

Another possible cause is pests. Take a close look at the leaves, especially the undersides and along the veins. Do you see tiny dots, webbing or sticky spots? Then your Strelitzia might be dealing with pests. When in doubt, check our pest page for extra help.

Ready to grow your urban jungle?

Now that you know exactly how to keep your Strelitzia happy, it’s time to give this tropical beauty a lovely spot in your home. With her large, impressive leaves, the Bird of Paradise plant instantly brings a fresh jungle feeling to any room. Whether you’re looking for a statement plant for the living room, a green eyecatcher next to the sofa or a tropical touch for your interior: the Strelitzia is always a beautiful choice.

Shop your Strelitzia and complete your plant collection with the right pot, plant nutrition and care products.