Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil? If you are able to carry your plant to a sink or tub, fill it up with about 3-4″ of water. Situating the plant near a drafty window will affect leaf health as will allowing the container to dry out for too long. If you would like to control these cookies, the Network Advertising Initiative has a list of options you can utilize: https://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/what-are-my-options. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Leaves will curl if the plant is cold, or dry from constant airflow. Sign up for our newsletter. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Here are some possible causes: Lack of … Dry and curling leaves are common among Bird of Paradise plants grown indoors. Malformed leaves and curling foliage are caused by sucking insects such as scale and mites. Bloomscape uses cookies as essential parts of the website experience. Cultural Causes of Leaves Curling on Bird of Paradise Plant New plants need plenty of water at establishment or their newer leaves will curl in protest. Free Small Plant with XL — Use Code GRATEFUL If it feels dry beneath the first 2-3″, water your plant. It is difficult to prescribe an exact watering schedule for your Bird of Paradise, as every environment varies, but it’s important to remember that this plant likes to be kept somewhat damp (not wet or saturated!) Dress in the long-sleeved shirt and long pants, put on the safety goggles and pour the soap mixture … The natural form of bird of paradise is as a 5- to 30-foot (1-9 m.) tall tree. Place your Bird of Paradise in the basin (without the saucer) and allow it to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min. The brilliant tones of the inflorescence, uncanny resemblance to its namesake and towering huge leaves make this plant a stand out in the landscape. Your Bird of Paradise will also benefit from a boost in humidity. Some fungal diseases are common to the bird of paradise; but while they do cause foliar deformation, they do not commonly cause leaves curling up on bird of paradise. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! In unfavorable sites and conditions, you may notice curling leaves on bird of paradise. Water enough to make sure water is flowing through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, taking care to make sure there is no standing water left in the saucer. Several pests have been known to attack bird of paradise plants. There are several reasons for leaf curl on bird of paradise. Leaves may also curl after a transplant, but they will usually rally in a few days after the transplant shock wears off. Stay in the loop with special offers, plant-parenting tips, and more. Chilly temperatures tend to make the leaves curl inward as protection. Try misting your plant at least  2 times per week, or using a pebble tray to keep humidity constant. Chilly temperatures tend to make the leaves curl inward as protection. A form of thrip, Chaetanaphothrips signipennis, is commonly found on bird of paradise plants and also causes the leaves to curl. Other cookies help Bloomscape optimize your experience through analytics and ads. The leaves are thin at the edges and tend to tatter in high winds or with repeated bruising. There are several varieties but each one has huge paddle shaped leaves that start out as curled tubes from the main body. If you do not have a filtration system available, leaving the water in an open container or sink overnight before using can help relieve some of the chlorine. The leaves unfurl as they mature, but even older foliage will bear some curve at the edges. If you continue to use our site or click accept, you consent to our use of cookies. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order. Place the plant and saucer back in its spot. The best way to tell if your Bird of Paradise needs to be watered is to stick your finger in the soil. Why are the leaves on my Bird of Paradise dry and curling? long leaves on average, that grow out of a main crown in a clump. When your plant’s soil is adequately saturated, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. New soil is important in container plants to help provide nutrients. See Details, Free Small Plant with XL — Use Code GRATEFUL, Get care instructions for your specific plants, Tips and inspiration for green, plantful living, Download our new plant care app to become the best plant parent. It is not reliably hardy in zone 9, but you can grow it in a pot in cooler zones in summer, as long as you move it indoors before cold temperatures arrive. One way you can reduce this is to use a water filtration system. If not, water slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation. Read more articles about Bird Of Paradise. More common reasons are environmental. Bloomscape uses cookies to provide and improve our services, analytics and for personalized ads and content. If the browning continues after you’ve regulated a watering schedule, another common reason your Bird of Paradise is browning could be in your tap water. If the plant is root bound, it impedes its ability to uptake moisture and nutrients which can cause curling leaves on bird of paradise. Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of the leaves to burn and turn brown. Bird of paradise is one of those other-worldly plants that combine fantasy with spectacle. A little bit of leaf curl on bird of paradise is normal, but occasionally there will be more pronounced curvature and possibly other damage signs. Containerized bird of paradise plants should be repotted every few years or when they become pot bound. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. New plants need plenty of water at establishment or their newer leaves will curl in protest. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is also important to give the plant enough root space. Bird Of Paradise Pruning Tips: How To Trim A Bird Of Paradise Plant, Bird Of Paradise Plant Freeze: Is Bird Of Paradise Cold Hardy, Bird Of Paradise Plant Care: Indoor And Outdoor Birds Of Paradise, Prickly Kale Leaves – Does Kale Have Thorns, Corn Husk Wreath Ideas: How To Make A Corn Husk Wreath, DIY Air Plant Wreaths: Wreath Making With Air Plants, Can You Hard Prune Rosemary: Learn About Rejuvenation Pruning Of Rosemary, Growing Houseplants With Children: Suitable Houseplants For Kids To Grow, Herbs That Root In Water – How To Grow Herb Plants In Water, Growing Elephant Bush Indoors: How To Care For Elephant Bush Houseplants, Thanksgiving Tradition: Turning Homegrown Pumpkins Into Pie, Growing Thanksgiving Dinner – Must Have Turkey Side Dishes, Interesting Uses For Pecans: What To Do With Pecans, The Bountiful Garden: Bringing The Garden To Thanksgiving. Bird of paradise is a tropical plant with 18-inch (46 cm.) Any number of things can cause leaf curl on bird of paradise in improper conditions. The bird of paradise is suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Make sure your plant is not in a drafty area or in the path of heating and cooling vents. How Horticultural Therapy is Getting Us Through 2020, How to Choose a Pot that Complements Your Plant, Announcing Our New Plant Care App, Vera by Bloomscape, Plant Parent Starter Kit: 5 Tools Your Houseplant Needs to Thrive, The 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers for the 2020 Holiday Season, This Year, Choose a Living Christmas Tree, Build Your Own Living Tablescape This Holiday, https://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/what-are-my-options. Find anything about plants, content, and more. We also share information about your use of our website with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners in accordance with our.