Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Huge paddle-shaped leaves and, with enough light and patience, the crane-shaped flower it's named for. A genuine light hog among houseplants.
Photo: Caroline Badran / Unsplash What this plant actually wants.
Best window: South-facing, as close to the brightest light in your home as space allows.
This is the general recommendation. When you map your actual windows in Planterra, the app compares each one against this plant's lux range and tells you which of your specific spots are best - accounting for depth from the glass, obstructions, and how the light shifts by season.
What usually goes wrong.
New leaves not splitting
Splits are a light and maturity response, similar to a Monstera. Not enough light is the most common cause - move it to your brightest available spot.
Brown, crispy leaf edges
Usually low humidity or inconsistent watering. Raise humidity around the plant and keep the watering schedule steady rather than letting it swing between bone dry and soaked.
No flowers indoors
Normal - Bird of Paradise rarely blooms indoors without near-greenhouse light levels and several years of maturity. Focus on healthy foliage rather than chasing a flower.
Yellowing lower leaves
Older leaves naturally yellow and can be trimmed off. If more than one at a time is affected, check for overwatering first.
Bird of Paradise is the plant I'm most upfront about needing real light - not 'bright indirect,' but close to the brightest spot you actually have. If someone's patient card shows a north-facing room, I say so before diagnosing anything else.
Add this plant to Planterra.
Free to try. No signup. Your plant, tracked from the first photo.