Bird of paradise care in Melbourne

Which window suits a bird of paradise

In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:

• N

  North-facing window

  2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• E

  East-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• S

  South-facing window

  1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backToo dark

  Far sideToo dark
• W

  West-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark

A Melbourne year with a bird of paradise

If something looks wrong

• Yellow lower leaves and wet soil

  Too much water. Let the top of the soil dry before the next drink; in winter that is about every 14 days.

• Long, stretched stems

  Not enough light. Give it the brightest window you have, right on the sill.

• Leaning towards the window

  It grows towards the light. A quarter turn every two weeks keeps it even.

• Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves

  Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.

Plants that like the same light

• Fiddle leaf fig
• Snake plant
• Rubber plant
• Umbrella tree
• Croton
• Weeping fig