If your plant is a large-leafed variety, leaf splitting may be normal, especially in rooms with fans or a lot of natural air flow. Scale will generally show up on the stems and the backs of the leaves. Strelitzia reginae is commonly known as the bird of paradise flower. Shelves in bathrooms and over kitchen sinks tend to be moister than corners of living rooms, provided that your plant gets enough light in these locations. Check your plant regularly to ensure it’s getting enough water and that any trays kept beneath it to increase humidity are adequately filled. Some indications that your plant could be overwatered are droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edged leaves with a yellow line. Improper care can cause wilted leaves. The photo taken at HD reveals that they have pruned off several leaves that were probably split or torn. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Most leaf splitting occurs as new leaves unfurl. The split leaves that give the Bird of Paradise plant it’s bird-like morphology is scientifically believed to be purposeful leaf tearing or lobing of leaves to reduce drag in the wind. Houseplant leaf split is a common problem of indoor foliage, but it’s usually caused by less than ideal environmental conditions. Split leaves - Believe it or not, the leaves of a Bird of Paradise are SUPPOSED to split! Bird of paradise plants are also often grown indoors. The leaves get browner and more raggedy as they get older. This flower is best suited to USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, and it will struggle in anything colder. In many plants, leaf splitting may be a part of their growth process, especially when leaf splitting mostly occurs in older leaves. Several pests have been known to attack bird of paradise plants. they look… Q. Bird Of Paradise - First, I live in the Phoenix Arizona area. This is why Gardening Know How came to be – a desire to help fellow gardeners in their time of need, and that includes answering the gardening questions that plaque us all. This south African native has glaucous banana-like leaves and bright architectural flowers. Using a hygrometer, measure the humidity at the plant’s split leaves, then search for a spot in your home with greater humidity. Seeing the normally flat leaves begin to curl is alarming, but in most cases, removing the insects responsible is fairly easy. Bug damage will appear as scale or as holes and pock marks. Yellow edges - native to tropical environments, this plant prefers full sun for long periods of time. They can live for a long time with proper maintenance, which includes watering, fertilization and cutting old, damaged and brown leaves off. The splits are an evolutionary adaptation of the plant that allow wind to pass through the leaves, meaning the leaves themselves don't function as giant sails. Houseplants add a spark of life to dull, dead interior spaces with their beautiful and unique year-round foliage and seasonal flowers. In other words, gardeners need to recreate that tropical/sub-tropical climate. They have evolved to create splits along their lateral leaf seams to allow the wind to pass by. Let’s learn more about splitting leaves in plants. Neem oil is a gardener’s best friend. If you have large leafed plants like bananas and bird of paradise, splitting leaves is a condition you should prepare for. I got my Bird of Paradise a week ago and it was in perfect condition. There has actually been debate as well as speculation regarding just how and also why monsteras make leaf holes. With temperature changes, water fluctuation, and age the leaves will sometimes curl on the edges spiraling slightly back in the direction they unraveled. A humidifier on an enclosed porch can create a humid environment if your home lacks the proper humidity for your plant. Why are the leaves on my Bird of Paradise dry and curling? - Named for the colorful flower resembling a bird, it is rare for this plant to bloom indoors. Leaves splitting down the middle of plants, like indoor orchids, is often a response to low humidity. A form of thrip, Chaetanaphothrips signipennis, is commonly found on bird of paradise plants and also causes the leaves to curl. Answer: Curling, folding, and splitting fronds on a Bird of Paradise are normal. Splitting a bird of paradise plant into several individual plants is much less difficult than it sounds. Splitting leaves on the Bird of Paradise is totally normal and natural. Malformed leaves and curling foliage are caused by sucking insects such as scale and mites. It makes a … Tap water contains salts, chlorine, minerals and fluoride – all of which can build up in the soil of your plant causing the tips of … How treat bird of paradise pests? What causes leaves to split in houseplants can vary between species, but there is almost always some kind of unfavorable growing condition to blame. Brown spots and drooping leaves on my Bird of Paradise, help! They have evolved to create splits along their lateral leaf seams … Sign up for our newsletter. Under the right conditions, including full, southern light exposure, proper humidity and temperature, Bird of Paradise may flower indoors, although this is rare. The original plant (circled in photo) sadly had to be guillotined because it was too large for our apartments HR to appreciate and was hitting the ceiling / smacking people who walked by on the sidewalk. It is in the orig. Leaves splitting down the middle of plants, like indoor orchids, is often a response to low humidity. it's seems like it's grown 2 new plants beside the base, which are large now. Divide a bird of paradise that has grown too big for its pot or that has lots of shoots coming out of its base. If the cause is where the bird of paradise is planted, the only fix may be to move the plant to a friendlier spot. Repair your wilted leaves by correcting the composition of the soil and by proper feeding and watering. Once your plant has been divided and the divisions have formed roots, they can be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b to 11. Ok, I've had my white BOP for about 2 months and the tips of the leaves are splitting and some are curling slightly and browning at the splits. Answer: Curling, folding, and splitting fronds on a Bird of Paradise are normal. Some indications that your plant could be overwatered are droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edged leaves with a yellow line.