Giant White Bird of Paradise

f you are looking for a plant to completely take over a corner of your flat and make it feel like a tropical greenhouse, this is the one.

The Bird of Paradise is famous for its massive, paddle-shaped leaves that bring serious architectural drama to any room. In the wild, they produce incredible bird-like flowers, and while they rarely bloom indoors in Scotland, the spectacular oversized foliage more than makes up for it. It is a fast, satisfying grower that will quickly turn your living room into an indoor jungle.

How to keep it happy:

• Light: This plant is a total sun worshipper. It needs the brightest spot you can give it. A sunny south-facing or west-facing window is ideal. Unlike delicate ferns, this tough tropical can handle a good amount of direct sunlight.

• Water: It is a big plant with a big thirst during the summer, but it hates sitting in soggy soil. Give it a thorough soak, then let the top half of the soil dry out completely before you water it again. Reduce your watering significantly during the dark winter months.

• Feed: Because it pushes out such massive leaves, it is a very hungry grower. Feed it with a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month during the spring and summer to fuel that explosive growth.

Troubleshooting:

• Splitting leaves? Do not panic! This is a completely natural feature of the Bird of Paradise. In the wild, the leaves split to let high winds pass through without snapping the stem. It is supposed to look a bit rugged and wild, so embrace the splits.

• Curling leaves? If the leaves are curling inwards, the plant is trying to conserve moisture. It usually means it is absolutely parched and begging for a heavy drink.

Pet Safety: Not Pet Safe. The leaves and stems are toxic to animals if ingested. Keep this dramatic beauty well out of reach of any curious cats or dogs.