Bird of Paradise Problems: Causes & Quick Fixes
Quick answer
Bird of Paradise is prone to 36 common issues - each link below is a plant-specific fix guide.

Bird of Paradise problems
Use the guides below to diagnose and fix common issues on Bird of Paradise. Each problem page explains why it happens on this species and what to do first.
Or use our problem diagnosis tool to narrow down symptoms.
Common problems on Bird of Paradise
Root Rot
MediumLikely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged dense soil - bird of paradise prefers to dry significantly between waterings.
Quick fix: Allow the top 5 cm to dry before watering. Use well-draining mix. Reduce frequency significantly in winter.
Full fix guide →No Flowers
MediumLikely cause: Insufficient light or a pot too large for the root system - bird of paradise flowers best when slightly root-bound.
Quick fix: Move to the brightest available indoor position. Ensure the pot is not much larger than the root ball.
Full fix guide →Yellow Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Brown Tips
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Overwatering
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Underwatering
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Spider Mites
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Mealybugs
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Aphids
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Leggy Growth
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Slow Growth
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Wilting
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Drooping Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Low Humidity
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Not Enough Light
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Fungus Gnats
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Mold on Soil
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Bud Drop
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Small Flowers
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Faded Flowers
MediumLikely cause: Common on this plant type; confirm with recent watering, light, and root checks.
Quick fix: Inspect the plant and correct the most likely care stressor before stacking treatments.
Full fix guide →Curling Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common curling leaves pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Brown Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common brown leaves pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Black Spots
MediumLikely cause: Common black spots pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Holes in Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common holes in leaves pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Pale Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common pale leaves pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Distorted Leaves
MediumLikely cause: Common distorted leaves pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Scale Insects
MediumLikely cause: Common scale insects pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Thrips
MediumLikely cause: Common thrips pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Whiteflies
MediumLikely cause: Common whiteflies pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Leaf Miners
MediumLikely cause: Common leaf miners pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Caterpillars
MediumLikely cause: Common caterpillars pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Nitrogen Deficiency
MediumLikely cause: Common nitrogen deficiency pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Iron Deficiency
MediumLikely cause: Common iron deficiency pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Magnesium Deficiency
MediumLikely cause: Common magnesium deficiency pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Potassium Deficiency
MediumLikely cause: Common potassium deficiency pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →Calcium Deficiency
MediumLikely cause: Common calcium deficiency pattern on Bird of Paradise under indoor care stress.
Quick fix: Inspect roots, watering, light, and pests; adjust one variable and monitor new growth.
Full fix guide →