How often should you water a bird of paradise indoors?

Bird of Paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae, is a perennial herb belonging to the Strelitzioideae subfamily of the Musaceae family. It is a common potted plant in homes. Its flowers have a unique shape, resembling a bird's head, with sharp edges and bright colors, giving people a strong visual impact. So how often should you water a bird of paradise indoors?

1. Watering strategy in the early stage of planting

When the plant is just planted in a new pot, it needs to be watered thoroughly to help the plant establish a firm root system. Over the next week, water once a day to keep the soil moist. As the plant develops true leaves, the soil in the pot should be kept slightly moist to avoid excessive drying out.

2. Watering methods in spring and autumn

Spring and early autumn are the peak growth periods for bird of paradise. At this time, you only need to water it once every four or five days. Be careful to avoid waterlogging in the potting soil to prevent root rot. As the temperature drops in autumn, the frequency and amount of watering should be gradually reduced.

3. Watering tips in summer

In summer, due to the high temperature and rapid evaporation of water, it is necessary to water the plant every two to three days. At the same time, you can spray water around the plants to increase the air humidity and prevent the leaves from drying out.

4. Winter watering suggestions

In winter, the bird of paradise enters a dormant state and its growth activities slow down. At this time, the soil should be kept slightly dry and watered about once every half a month. It is best to water the plants at noon when the temperature is higher, and the water temperature should be close to the ambient temperature to avoid freezing of the plants due to large temperature differences.

In short, don’t water whenever you want, but judge whether the bird of paradise plant needs watering, such as checking the surface and internal humidity of the potting soil. If the soil surface is dry, white, or has micro-cracks, it may need watering. A more accurate way is to insert your finger into the soil about 2-3 cm deep. If the soil feels dry, it needs watering.