The white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) is a lesser-known Feng Shui houseplant, but one that is thought to have a huge impact on your life and home if placed optimally. Experts say it's a houseplant that stands out, encouraging visibility and recognition.
The white variety of this beautiful South African native plant requires just the same bird of paradise care as its classic orange counterpart (Strelitzia reginae like this one from The Sill). Though the white bird of paradise is a larger plant than the orange variety, both have the iconic, unique bird-shaped flowers. Generally, they require straightforward care, but to encourage big and bright blooms, sunlight is key.
As a Feng Shui plant, experts say where to place a white bird of paradise shouldn't be based on sunlight alone. While the growing environment is important, choosing a spot that enhances this plant's ability to promote positive energy can unlock life-changing rewards.
Where to Place a White Bird of Paradise – According to Feng Shui
As mentioned, the bird of paradise is a tropical indoor plant native to South Africa. There, it soaks up direct sun and higher humidity, as well as tolerating short periods of drought.
In the home, it's key to offer similar conditions, especially if you want to see its iconic bird-shaped flowers.
But, Feng Shui experts also encourage turning to the Feng Shui energy map (Bagua) for some more insight to where to place a white bird of paradise.
'In Feng Shui, large upward-growing plants like this one lift chi, infuse a space with ambition, and signify vision, leadership, and ascension,' says Feng Shui practitioner Helen Plehn.
'The white flowers correspond to the crown chakra and white aura layer, which connect to spiritual insight, clarity, and divine guidance,' she continues.
With this in mind, this is where to place a white bird of paradise to harness the greatest impact for your home and life.
This white bird of paradise live plant is 3-4 feet on delivery. It comes in a white decorative plant pot, ready to be displayed.
This white bird of paradise from Lowe's comes in a 1.75 gallon nursery pot, ready to be potted up into planter.
This large white bird of paradise from the Home Depot measures 48-60 inches tall and comes in a 12 inch planter.
Best Places for a White Bird of Paradise
When looking at the Bagua, the experts have a few suggestions for where to place a white bird of paradise.
Towards the back of a home
'It’s a natural fit for the fame and recognition gua of the home, which is the back middle of the house if you’re standing at the front door,' says Feng Shui expert Hannah Yang.
Placed here, the recognition and visibility effects of white bird of paradise are enhanced.
'It carries strong yang energy. It represents visibility, ambition, leadership, and expansion. This is a powerful plant and should be treated as such,' says Suzanne Butler, Feng Shui expert from Harmonising Energies Feng Shui.
The south area of a home
For this reason, this tall indoor plant should be given space, put on center stage, capturing the attention of individuals as soon as they enter the room.
'Consider the south of the home for reputation and north for career,' Suzanne continues. 'Large, light-filled living areas are a good option.'
In specific rooms
In terms of particular rooms, the home office is where a white bird of paradise will do the most work, says Hannah, but only if you can provide around six hours of sunlight daily here.
'The living room or a grand entryway are also good places,' says Helen Plehn. 'To make an empowering, high-vibrational statement, and elevate the entire home’s chi.
'This plant reminds us to take up space and stand tall in our truth. Its dramatic foliage and bright white blooms bring both grounding (through its sturdy stalks) and spiritual elevation (through its crown-like blossoms),' she adds.
Where to Place a White Bird of Paradise for Healthy Growth
One of the biggest Feng Shui houseplant mistakes is not paying attention to the needs of the plant. If it starts to decline in health (due to improper care), it can effect the chi of your home and the effects it puts out.
That's why you should make sure to choose a room that gets a lot of sunlight. This is the best way to encourage white bird of paradise flowers (along with this bird of paradise fertilizer from Amazon, which should be applied during spring and summer).
Likewise, these tropical houseplants appreciate higher humidity (ideally between 60-70%). If you have a light bathroom with a big window, this is optimal. The extra moisture in the air from the shower will keep a white bird of paradise happy.
Worst Places for a White Bird of Paradise
When it comes to where to never place a white bird of paradise, Feng Shui experts share just a couple of notes:
'It’s likely too stimulating for the bedroom, so avoid placement there, even if your bedroom is in your fame gua,' says Hannah Yang.
Bedroom plants should be those that encourage unwinding and relaxation. The loudness of a white bird of paradise can interrupt this energy.
Likewise, Suzanne says to avoid anywhere that minimizes the white bird of paradise's impact.
'The white bird of paradise needs space to thrive. When it’s cramped, the energy shifts from expansion to frustration,' she says.
'Ensure that the pot has room for the plant to grow. A small pot that becomes overcrowded suggests career stagnation in both your job and reputation,' Suzanne adds.
Reaching a couple of meters tall as a houseplant, you should ensure your white bird of paradise has a large planter to grow in (like this ceramic planter from Wayfair). Make sure to repot your bird of paradise as it grows bigger, too.
You should also avoid cramped corners, narrow entryways and hallways for this reason, and low-light spots that don't provide the amount of sunlight these beautiful plants need.
Not only is it important to get placement right for your white bird of paradise, you should also take care to prune your bird of paradise to remove old growth and encourage new growth and more blooms.
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A soil moisture meter is key to watering houseplants correctly. Insert the probe in your plant's soil to see how much it has dried out and if it's ready to water again.
