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Why Are My Giant Bird Of Paradise Leaf Edges Turning Brown?

ByNell Foster Published on

The question is regarding brown leaf edges on a Giant Bird of Paradise. A few reasons cause this along with splitting leaves.

I receive so many questions here, on my videos and via email.  I decided to start a segment called “Ask Nell” because you all might have the same questions and/or be interested in the answers. The first one comes from Patti regarding her Giant Bird Of Paradise, or Strelitzia nicolai.

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The photo you see above was sent to me by Patti.  These plants are native to subtropical coastal forests of South Africa where the humidity is higher and there’s more rainfall.

This is especially true in California these days as we’re in the midst of a megadrought; yes, it’s extreme. It’s common for the edges of these plants brown but nowadays they’re downright crispy because even the maritime layer, aka fog, has been almost nonexistent.

You can see my Giant Bird of Paradise in this video as well as the Bird of Paradise you are probably more familiar with:

Also, you see a lot of split Giant Bird Of Paradise leaves and that is because of the wind. As with most plants, the older leaves will brown, yellow and split more than the younger ones.

The leaves get browner and more raggedy as they get older.  They don’t need much water at all once they get established but we haven’t been receiving enough winter rain to hold them through our dry months.  After all, they do need some water … not no water.

So Patti, water yours deeply every 2-3 months (until we get some substantial winter rains) and give it a 2-3″ layer of some rich, organic compost to help hold that moisture in. The compost will also enrich the soil naturally making the roots and the plant grow stronger.

The bottom line:

You can reduce the brown edging to an extent but if your Giant Bird Of Paradise is in a windy area, the leaves will split. Nothing you can do about that!

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I’m including a bit about the Bird Of Paradise, Strelizia reginae,  in here because the same applies to them. It’s not as noticeable on them because their leaves are smaller and seem to be a bit tougher. I’ve been noticing quite a bit of leaf curling on these plants around town because we’re so darned dry.

If you happen to have 1 as a houseplant and the edges are brown, it’s because the air in our homes is much drier than they’d like it to be.  The average home is not the subtropics after all!

Thanks for the question Patti. If any of you have a question for me regarding plants, flowers and/or gardening, simply leave it below this post, in the video comment section or send it to info@joyusgarden.com (if you do this, please put “ask nell” in the subject line).  Now let’s get gardening and make the world a more beautiful place!

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The Giant Bird Of Paradise flowers is huge by the way. The birds LOVE all that sugary nectar dripping out of them!

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45 Comments

  1. Hi Nell,
    I have bird of paradise plant in my office (plenty of sun) that I got from Home Depot. It’s growing beautifully and seems very happy, but sometime a new leaf will tear before it unfurls completely, such that the bottom portion is partially unfurled and the top stays tightly closed. This happens only with the biggest, tallest new leaves. Any suggestions about how to prevent this?
    thanks!

  2. Hi Barbara – BOP leaves tend to tear – it’s the nature of the beast. Indoors, it could be caused by too little light, too little water or the humidity levels are too low; or a combination of the 3. I can’t really say because I don’t know the environ it’s in or how you’re watering it. Nell

  3. Hi Nell,

    I live in Phoenix and just bought a white bird of paradise. I would like to grow it outdoors but am concerned that our 100+ degree summers might be too much for it. Am I limited to growing it in a pot and moving it to a shaded area during the hotter months? How much sun/how high a temperature is too much for it?

    Thank you!

    Lisa

  4. Hi Nell. Had my bird of paradise(about 5 foot) in pot outside for bout 6 months but as the cold weather approached we put a breathable cover over and took it off today and all the leaves are brown…is there anything we can do to get back to being green again? Thanks Andy.

  5. Hi Lisa – I’m not 100% sure but image the hot summer temps & strong desert sun would be too much for it. They’re native to the coastal areas & forests of South Africa. Mine was growing 7 blocks away from the beach in Santa Barbara – much different climate! Growing it in a pot to give it protection would be best. Be sure to give it adequate water in the hot months. Nell

  6. Hi Andy – If the leaves are brown, you won’t be able to get them green again. You can cut the plant down to 10-12″ in spring & new growth will eventually appear. My neighbors did that to 2 of theirs growing outdoors & they came back beautifully. Nell

  7. My bird of paradise is growing very well but I have to clean the underside of the leaves every few days. I scarape little white seed looking things off of them. What do you think they are and what can I do to prevent them from coming back?

  9. Hi Nell my orange bird of paradise has not grown since I put it in the ground 2 years ago. Now the top tips of the leaves are dying. It is in morning sun/afternoon shade position. I haven’t done anything but water it. I guess I need to give it some tender loving care or I will lose it. I am quite hopeless in the garden. I live in Melbourne, Australia. Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

  10. Hi Diana –
    Oh dear! They’re tough plants once established. When the tips of the leaves start dying, a few common causes are: poor soil drainage, not enough soil prep, not enough light, too much water, too much fertilizer, &/or transplant shock. I hope this helps, Nell

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