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With large, glossy leaves and unique flowers, it’s easy to see why this plant has quickly become a favorite choice in the tropics.
It works well in a variety of spaces, including sidewalks, porches, and even indoors.
They should be fairly easy to grow if you follow good care practices. But it takes time and beginners may have to deal with curled leaves.
This is often because the climate is not in agreement with that in which the plant grows.
In this case, you will need to modify the growing conditions to give it a better chance of survival.
This article describes what to do if the leaves of bird of paradise plants start to curl and covers other topics as well.
Contents
Birds of paradise plant curly leaves
To tell if your leaves are curling, it’s important to understand what they should look like in the first place.
The plant usually has long, pointed leaves with a powdery green tint.
If they are not sharp and appear curled or brown around the edges, you need to investigate the cause.
Appropriate care practices
Leaf curl and other bird of paradise problems are caused by a lack of good care practices.
Before we get into how to deal with curls, let’s take a look at what they can contribute to a healthy plant.
The failure of any of these aspects can be the cause of the problems that arise.
Relief
This plant does best in bright, indirect light. You should place it near a window that receives about twelve hours of bright light per day.
It is worth noting that the plant can also tolerate long periods of sun exposure, although it may not do very well in such conditions.
Water
During the months of active growth, this plant needs plenty of water. To make sure you have enough, check two inches below the soil surface and see if the soil seems dry.
If so, you can water the soil and make sure to soak it well. Make sure the pot drains all excess water before returning it to its original position.
Alternatively, you can place a container under the pot to catch any excess water. Water the soil only when it is dry and set the time.
The plant often needs to be watered once a week, although this frequency can be increased if the plant is in a warm environment.
During the winter months, when the plant is not actively growing, the frequency of watering should be reduced.
Giving plenty of water when the rate of root uptake has slowed will allow the plant to stay in the water longer.
Can lead to rotten root which can kill the plant. If you are unsure of the right amount of water to give the plant, you can use a moisture meter.
Keep in mind that being under water is just as bad as too much water and can kill the plant as well.
Birds of paradise grow well in humid areas, given their tendency to thrive in warm tropical climates.
You need to mist the plant at least once a week to meet these moisture needs.
Fertilization
The bird of paradise plant grows quite quickly and can reach a height of up to three meters indoors.
However, it depends on the care practices that are given to the plant. Fertilization should be every two weeks during the growing season.
This usually happens in the spring and summer when the growth rate is at its peak. You can also use foliar fertilizer throughout the year.
Skipping the fertilizer is also an option, especially if you’re not really into a tall plant.
cut
If you want to encourage additional growth, try trimming the plant once in a while. Increases the energy of the plant so that it grows even faster and wider.
To do this, you must use sterilized tools to cut the stems at the base. It attacks older, less attractive stems to make room for new, better growth.
It also helps clean the leaves. You can do this by running a clean tissue over the top of the leaves.
This not only increases the brightness of the leaves, but also gives them access to more light.
Reform
You can also prune the leaves to remove unsightly spots. All you need is a sterilized tool to cut out the damaged areas and cut the sheet into the desired shape.
As long as you use clean tools, this job should not affect the health of the plant. What about division? We will deal with this at a later stage.
However, keep in mind that, for the most part, leaves divide through natural processes.
The division increases as people touch and move the plants, and there’s not much you can do about it.
replant
Indoor conditions are different from plants that would grow in the wild.
As a result, your plant will not have the same growth rates as plants grown in hot tropical climates.
It will therefore be necessary to repot every two years to ensure that the pots can absorb the roots and prevent them from getting stuck.
Plus, it also helps you absorb other nutrients and gives the plant a chance to thrive even more.
How do you know it’s time to repot the bird of paradise? Start by assessing whether the roots are visible above ground.
This is a sure sign that the roots need more space to spread.
Also check if the water takes a long time to seep into the soil or if the roots seem closed in the pot. If repotting is necessary, choose a pot that is two inches wider than the current pot.
Why are my bird of paradise leaves curling up?
Now back to our original problem: birds of paradise plant curled leaves.
The leaves of bird of paradise plants can curl for many reasons, including the most important ones underwater.
Submarine
In this case, you need to check how the leaves curl. If they curl inward, water the soil well and make sure enough water comes out of the drainage holes.
Drain excess water from the pot before returning it to its original position.
Sometimes the plant can be so dry that it has to stand in water for an hour to recover. Are there any other reasons why your plant might be curling? Insurance!
pest invasion
Although this plant is generally hardy, it is also susceptible to certain pests and diseases. red spider are the most common pests.
These form a house on the leaves by weaving webs between the leaves and the petals.
You can remove them by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or by using a safe pesticide. Thrips are also common. Along with this, you need to wash the leaves with an insecticide.
Lack of light
This plant grows in tropical climates and should be in similar or similar conditions.
For hardiness zones 10-11, you won’t have much trouble acclimatizing. But for something cooler, you need to create a suitable environment by changing some conditions.
Make sure the plant has access to bright light or even full sun. Also watch the humidity and make sure temperatures stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you like this article, check out our article on Why are your Bird of Paradise’s leaves hanging down?
Why are my bird of paradise leaves splitting?
As we mentioned earlier, cracks in the leaves of your birds of paradise are a normal thing and you don’t have to worry about them.
They are in place to help roll up the leaves without uprooting the plant.
You can reduce the splits by moving the plant indoors, but that’s about all you can do in this case.
Plus, the grooves add to the aesthetic appeal of the plant, right?
Why are my bird of paradise leaves turning yellow?
The yellowed leaves of the bird of paradise are a sign of excess water. You should check the roots and make sure there is no visible damage.
If they look soggy, root rot has started and you need to remove the damaged areas and repot the plant as soon as possible.
If the roots are fine, there is no need to move the plant. Instead, let the soil dry out before watering it again.
Why are my bird of paradise leaves turning brown around the edges?
The reason bird of paradise leaves turn brown at the edges may be that the environment is too dry and the humidity is low or the soil does not have enough moisture.
You should water the plant and see if that helps. Also note the location of the plant and keep it away from excessive heat.
For example, if the plant is near a heater, that location may be the cause of the darkening. Regular watering also helps, as does an increase in humidity.
How to straighten a bird of paradise plant?
You need to know why your bird of paradise plant is leaning to know how to straighten it. It can seek light or be attached to the root.
In any case, you must assess the probable cause and correct it as described in the care routines.
final thoughts
There you have it, bird of paradise plant troubleshooting is all about assessing what conditions may not be working for your well-being and addressing them immediately.
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
How to maintain a Monstera?
How big is a peace lily?
Anthurium light requirements
Happy gardening!
Written by: Daisy Njeric