Experienced grower's notes on Bird of Paradise

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Bird of Paradise remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is providing high humidity through pebble trays or regular misting. Everything else follows from that.

leaf browning from low humidity in centrally heated rooms is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a hotel lobby-style statement interior display for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. fast growth in warm humid conditions is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. bringing back indoors before first autumn frost is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.