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Eye-catching and distinctive, the bird of paradise is a fairly easy tropical plant to grow indoors or out. It’s one of the rarest plants that American gardeners can get their hands on these days. Some lucky gardeners can put a bird of paradise plant out in the garden, but most growers keep them inside or on the patio. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, they may develop yellow leaves due to problems with lighting, watering, or pests. Read on to find out if your yellowing plant can be saved.
The eye-catching bird of paradise plant is treasured for its unique floral blooms and bold, tropical foliage. But when those vibrant green leaves start turning yellow, it can be cause for concern
Yellowing leaves on a bird of paradise is typically a sign that something is wrong. While a few old leaves may naturally yellow and drop off widespread yellowing indicates a problem needing attention.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons for bird of paradise yellow leaves. We’ll also detail corrective steps you can take to nurse your plant back to health and restore the stunning green color.
Diagnosing the Cause of Yellow Leaves
Pinpointing exactly why your bird of paradise leaves are yellowing is essential to get your plant thriving again. Here are the most likely culprits and how to identify them:
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Overwatering – Excess moisture causes root rot, which prevents roots from taking up nutrients. Check for soggy soil and mushy black roots.
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Underwatering – Lack of water causes leaves to dry out and yellow. Soil will be bone dry when underwatered.
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Nutrient deficiency – Lack of nitrogen, iron, zinc or other nutrients causes yellowing. New or old leaves may be affected depending on the deficient nutrient.
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Root binding – Restricted roots in a too-small pot leads to yellowing leaves. Check for crowded, circling roots.
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Pests – Insects such as spider mites, aphids and scale suck sap, causing yellow spots or areas. Check undersides of leaves.
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Diseases – Fungal and bacterial diseases cause yellowing. Check for patchy leaf spots.
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Sunburn – Too much direct sun scorches leaves, first causing yellow spots then browning.
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Transplant shock – Stress from repotting may cause temporary yellowing of leaves.
Once you’ve diagnosed the specific problem, you can take the proper corrective steps.
Fixing an Overwatering Issue
Overwatering is the most common reason for yellow leaves in bird of paradise plants. Excess moisture suffocates roots leading to decay. The effect quickly shows in the leaves as they yellow and drop off.
To fix overwatering:
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Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Check with your finger to gauge moisture.
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Remove the plant from its pot and inspect roots. Trim off any mushy black roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white.
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Repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Add perlite, gravel or sand to improve drainage.
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Water only when the top few inches of soil become dry. Wait for leaves to droop slightly before watering again.
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Dump out any water in the saucer after 30 minutes so the plant isn’t sitting in excess water.
Treating an Underwatering Issue
While less common than overwatering, lack of water can also cause yellowing leaves. Underwatered plants will have dry, brittle foliage and parched soil.
To fix underwatering:
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Give the plant a thorough, deep watering until water drains from the bottom.
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Feel the soil to gauge moisture before the next watering. Wait until it is partially dry before watering again.
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Maintain regular watering to keep soil consistently moist but not soaked.
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Mist leaves occasionally to elevate humidity around the plant.
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Move to a shadier location to reduce evaporation and water needs.
Correcting Nutrient Deficiencies
If older leaves are yellowing, nitrogen may be lacking. If new leaves are yellow, the issue may be iron, zinc, sulfur or another nutrient deficiency.
To fix nutrient issues:
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Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer.
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For suspected iron deficiency, ensure soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.0.
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You can supplement with micronutrients like Epsom salts or zinc chelate.
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Repotting in fresh soil will replenish the nutrient profile.
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Excess fertilizer can also cause salt buildup and yellowing, so don’t overdo it.
Adjusting Care for Healthy Green Leaves
Beyond addressing specific issues, you can take a holistic approach to growing healthy, green bird of paradise plants:
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Provide bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. Rotate the plant to prevent one-sided growth.
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Maintain warm temperatures between 65°F to 85°F. Keep away from cold drafts.
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Prune off any dead or dying yellow leaves to improve appearance. Don’t cut into green healthy tissue.
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes and use well-draining soil amended with sand, perlite or vermiculite.
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Allow the soil to partially dry out before watering again. Proper moisture prevents almost all leaf problems.
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Wipe leaves periodically with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free and able to photosynthesize.
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Mist frequently to provide the humidity these tropical plants prefer.
With some detective work and attentive care, you can get a bird of paradise with yellow leaves quickly back to showing off glossy green foliage. Pay close attention to its needs, and you’ll once again have a healthy, thriving eye-catcher of a plant.
What Causes Yellowing Leaves on a Bird of Paradise Plant?
There are a few problems with bird of paradise plants that beginners should know about. One of the most common is leaves that turn yellow. This problem is usually caused by bad growing conditions, so let’s look at what you can do to keep your plant healthy and green.
When growing outside, bird of paradise plants prefer full sun to light shade. This can make it hard to give the plant enough light when it’s brought inside, which can cause bird of paradise leaves to turn yellow. For some reason, your indoor plant might be turning yellow. To give it more light, put a full-spectrum fluorescent bulb directly over it or move it to a room with more light. Be careful not to put plants too close to windows that get a lot of direct light, though, because the strong ultraviolet rays can damage the leaves.
Bird of paradise leaves turning yellow is also commonly caused by improper watering. For most plants, it’s better to be too dry than too wet, but bird of paradise plants can’t stand it when they’re either too dry or too wet. For the first six months after planting or repotting, the plant may be more sensitive to changes in the amount of water it has access to. However, by adding a 2- to 3-inch (5-7 cm) 5 cm. ) deep layer of mulch around the plant, you can help slow drying and even out moisture retention. Be careful that the mulch does not touch the plant’s stem to help prevent stem rot.
Major pests on indoor bird of paradise plants are uncommon but can occur from time to time. Plants will be especially susceptible if they spend the summer outdoors. A few of these pests cause yellowing to some degree, including:
- Aphids will leave leaves that are yellowing all over or in spots and a sticky film on them. Aphids may also attract ants. Spray water from a garden sprayer on the bottom of your plant to get rid of aphids and kill them. Spray every day for two weeks, and do it again if you need to.
- Scale—Like aphids, scale bugs can turn plants yellow in different ways and leave behind sticky residue. However, unlike aphids, scales are hard to spot as insects because they hide behind thick shells. Most of the time, they look more like small cankers or other strange plant growths. Neem oil or imidacloprid work best to get rid of them, but be careful to only use neonicotinoids at night and in the amounts that are recommended.
- Whiteflies: Like aphids and scales, whiteflies feed on plant sap. They are the most obvious of this group. If you see a lot of small, white bugs that look like moths gathering under your plant’s yellowing leaves, you know exactly what they are. Every couple of days, spray these criminals with water because they are likely to drown.
- Crown borer, Opogona: See small holes in the base of your bird of paradise leaves or in the crown? That’s a crown borer. Once the plant starts to turn yellow, the only things left to do are remove the damaged parts, give it great care, and get rid of any plants that aren’t going to make it.
What’s Wrong With Your Bird of Paradise? | BOP Care Tips and Guide
FAQ
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