Plant care guide
Bird of Paradise Drooping: Dry Mix, Wet Roots or Cold?
Updated
Why is my Bird of paradise drooping?
A drooping bird of paradise is usually short of water in its leaves, either because the mix has dried out or because roots in wet mix have rotted. Cold, a recent division or repot, and long stalks stretching in poor light are the other causes to check.
What to do first
Lift the pot and feel the mix below the surface. Water a dry plant thoroughly. If the mix is wet, stop watering and inspect the roots. Then check for cold drafts, recent root disturbance and low light.
A big bird of paradise slumping over is alarming, and the instinct is to water it. Check first. Iowa State University Extension explains that wilting has two opposite causes (Iowa State: environmental problems). Dry roots cannot reach water. Roots kept wet rot and die, and the few left cannot supply the leaves.
Clemson Extension says too much or too little water is one of the main problems for bird of paradise indoors (Clemson HGIC 1562).
Wet or dry?
Signs of a dry plant:
- The pot feels light and the mix is dry well below the surface.
- Mix has pulled away from the pot sides. Virginia Cooperative Extension lists this, plus dry or brittle leaves and curling (VCE: SPES-804).
- Water runs straight down the inside of the pot. Iowa State notes water can run around a dry root ball.
- The pot is small for the plant, or terracotta. Iowa State lists both.
Signs of wet roots:
- The mix is damp and the pot heavy days after watering.
- Water stands in the saucer or outer pot.
- Leaves yellow, brown and die back. University of Maryland Extension lists these with browning or blackening of the crown (UMD: root rots).
- Roots are brown to black and mushy, with an outer layer that slips off (UMD).
NC State Extension says root rot can follow overwatering or poorly drained soil (NC State: Strelitzia reginae). Iowa State adds the usual reasons a pot stays wet: watering too often, no drainage hole, a saucer holding water, old compacted mix, or a pot that is too large.
Other causes
Cold. NC State says Strelitzia nicolai will not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F) and should be kept away from cold drafts (NC State: Strelitzia nicolai). Iowa State lists cold during transport and drafts from doors, vents and windows among causes of leaf damage and drop.
A recent division or repot. Clemson says a new division needs a warm spot in bright, indirect light for eight weeks while it grows new roots. If the droop started after you split or repotted the plant, give it that recovery time before changing anything else.
Long stalks in low light. Clemson notes each leaf sits on a long stalk. Iowa State says low light is the typical cause of lanky, stretched growth. Stretched stalks lean and flop toward the window.
Torn or old leaves. NC State says S. nicolai leaves rip easily and should be removed when torn. A single old outer leaf folding over on an otherwise firm plant is not an emergency.
What to do
If the mix is dry:
- Water until it drains from the base. VCE suggests several large applications to wet the whole root zone.
- Empty the saucer after draining.
- Expect leaves to firm up as the plant rehydrates. If they stay limp once the mix is moist, check the roots.
If the mix is wet:
- Stop watering and empty any outer pot.
- Unpot and inspect the roots and rhizome.
- Follow our bird of paradise root rot guide to trim, divide and repot.
If the mix is fine:
- Move the plant out of drafts and off cold glass.
- Give it your brightest spot. NC State recommends a well-lit, sunny position for S. reginae.
- Stake a leaning stalk loosely, or cut out a torn or collapsed leaf at the base.
Prevent it
Water thoroughly, then let the mix dry slightly, as Clemson advises. Water less in winter; NC State says to keep S. reginae drier then. Use a pot with a drainage hole and never leave it standing in water.
For light, feeding and flowering, read our bird of paradise care guide. Other guides are on the bird of paradise hub.
Related guides
Other bird of paradise problems we cover: curling leaves, brown spots, not blooming, overwatering, yellow leaves.
References
- Iowa State University Extension: Diagnosing Houseplant Problems from Improper Environmental Conditions
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC 1562: Bird of Paradise
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Strelitzia reginae
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Strelitzia nicolai
- University of Maryland Extension: Root Rots of Indoor Plants
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Properly Watering Container Houseplants (SPES-804)
How this guide was put together: Iowa State University Extension, Clemson Cooperative Extension, NC State Extension, University of Maryland Extension and Virginia Cooperative Extension guidance.