This exotic indoor beauty originally hails from South Africa and the Canary Islands. With its bizarre, striking blooms that look just like a tropical bird, it’s no wonder we call it the Bird of Paradise. The leathery green foliage of the Strelitzia provides a stunning backdrop for those colorful flowers, but sometimes, you might notice those leaves turning brown. If your plant is looking a little crispy, there are a few common culprits to blame.
Brown Leaves on Your Bird of Paradise
Seeing brown spots or edges on your Strelitzia can be a bit alarming, but often, it’s just a natural part of the aging process. This evergreen plant refreshes its foliage every now and then, meaning older leaves will eventually turn brown and dry up. Once they are completely dry, you can usually remove them from the rootstock with a quick, firm tug.
However, if it’s more than just an old leaf, here are some other reasons your plant might be struggling:
- Your plant is sitting in a drafty spot.
- Root rot caused by overwatering.
- Not getting enough water.
- Improper conditions during the winter dormancy period.
- Over-fertilizing (too much of a good thing!).
- Sunburn from sitting too close to a window with intense, direct sunlight.
The Right Spot and Proper Care
Since it’s a tropical native, we usually grow the Strelitzia as a houseplant, though it loves spending the summer outdoors in a pot on the patio. The ideal location should be sheltered, very bright, and warm. If yours is vacationing on the patio, make sure to bring it inside as soon as nighttime temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C). Even indoors, it’s going to crave plenty of light.
During the winter months, keep your Bird of Paradise in a bright room at about 50 to 60°F (10 to 15°C). This “winter rest” is essential for the plant to gather enough energy for its next blooming cycle.
Watering and Fertilizing
Strelitzias are thirsty plants, but you have to be careful about standing water. If your Bird of Paradise gets “wet feet” for too long, the roots will rot, leaving them unable to nourish the plant—which leads directly to those brown leaves. As a precaution, always add a drainage layer (like terracotta shards or gravel) to the bottom of the pot. Be sure to empty any excess water from the saucer after watering. During the winter break, water sparingly, but don’t let the root ball dry out completely.
During the growing season, give your Strelitzia some liquid fertilizer every two weeks. You can skip the fertilizer entirely during the winter rest. Just be sure to follow the recommended dosage on the bottle; over-fertilizing is a fast track to brown, damaged foliage.
