How to care for a large houseplant: the Bird of paradise plant

In this video, indoor houseplant and tropical plant expert Michael Leach of Toronto’s Dynasty Plant Shop takes gardenstead’s host Dan Fox through a brief tutorial of how to care for a Bird of paradise plant (in this case, the Stelitzia nicolai, or giant white bird of paradise).

Here’s what you can learn from this video:

why leaves split on a Bird of paradise plant (don’t worry, it’s perfectly natural)
when and how often you should prune your plant
why misting the leaves of your Bird of paradise plant is important
how cleaning the leaves is good for the plant, and a great way to do a regular health check (also a good time to have conversations with your plant)
how to tell when it’s time to repot a plant — time to do what Michael calls ‘a little soil investigation’
what you should use to fertilize your Bird of paradise plant
how to check for standing water in your plant’s pot and why consistently wet roots are a concern, and can lead to the much-dreaded root rot

Part of our “How to choose a houseplant” series. Check out the other two videos in the series:

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[FaithandFun-wq]

This is so nice, thank you for sharing! ✨💓

[sumeenmalik]

I have a big bird of paradise indoor plants in Chicago. It is five year old, but now I facing challenge, whenever the new leaf is coming after a couple of week before opening the whole leaf, it will be banded from the stems . I just trying to give the support, but after that, the stamp can’t hold the weight of the leaf and it will be dropped and damage so please advise how to make it healthy

[sheamears]

My bop has reached the ceiling, and I am unsure what I should do? Any suggestions?

[leahcrenshaw]

How to cut indoor plant from touching ceiling

[cosmiccupcake]

Can they flower one day? Mine is just as big as the one shown.

[Anomerewina]

…😶 Are Dan & Mike related?!… They could pass for siblings/cousins…

[sumeenmalik]

I have a big bird of paradise indoor plants in Chicago. It is five year old, but now I facing challenge, whenever the new leaf is coming after a couple of week before opening the whole leaf, it will be banded from the stems . I just trying to give the support, but after that, the stamp can’t hold the weight of the leaf and it will be dropped and damage so please advise how to make it healthy