I wanted a large plant to go in my apartment. I have a huge window the faces west and it receive a lot of light, but not necessarily direct sunlight. I went to home depot and they mentioned the white bird. I loved how it looked and while they said it would be fine in low light now i am realizing that may not be the case.

I got home and did some research and became quite alarmed. I've read a lot of thing about the plant and I not sure what to do.

I want to keep the plant and I want to make sure it grows healthy. I am not concerned with it blooming as I didn't know it could?... If a lot of light in my living room isn't enough I could purchase a light. I don't use the A/C in the summer since I am not home during the day until evening and by then its cool enough to just have a fan. So if anyone could offer me some advice on this plant I would greatly appreciate it.

Looks like the White Giant Bird of Paradise. If so, )hoping others will chime in) it is a full sun item. And also grows GIANT. I have one outside in a pot. It is stunted at 12 feet tall. It likes a lot of water and humidity. My GF had one in a pot in front of a very sunny window in her den. It grew so big, she had to give it away. You might consider a dieffenbachia/Dumb Cane with similar leaves, a common house plant but needing less light and growing not quite as tall.

ShadyGreenThumb said: Looks like the White Giant Bird of Paradise. If so, )hoping others will chime in) it is a full sun item. And also grows GIANT. I have one outside in a pot. It is stunted at 12 feet tall. It likes a lot of water and humidity. My GF had one in a pot in front of a very sunny window in her den. It grew so big, she had to give it away. You might consider a dieffenbachia/Dumb Cane with similar leaves, a common house plant but needing less light and growing not quite as tall.

• Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia seguine)
• Uploaded by KAMasud

So is this something I won't be able to grow in my apartment?

If others agree this is a Giant White Bird of Paradise since I am about 50/50 at guessing plant ID's, I think it would out grow your apartment rather quickly. Home Depot should take the plant back if you decide. Here is a photo of a mature plant.

ShadyGreenThumb said:If others agree this is a Giant White Bird of Paradise since I am about 50/50 at guessing plant ID's, I think it would out grow your apartment rather quickly. Home Depot should take the plant back if you decide. Here is a photo of a mature plant.

That's what I get for listening to someone from Home Depot. I want something the size of what I have now and if it got a tad bigger that is fine, but will do well in my apartment.

A large mature plant will cost more, of course but larger plants are available in many stores in their landscape department and nurseries. Often plant tags have information on them, or a QR code that you can scan for plant information while you are in the store. You don't mention where you are located, but in our area nurseries are having many sales right now to reduce their inventory to make room for Christmas Tree Sales. This is a good time to buy plants.

Another way is to research what you would like then go to a nursery and ask for a specific plant. Use the Plant Database here to cross reference what you find. Many of the members here have contributed some valuable information on many plants. Be prepared to repot the plant. Most larger plants I have found to be pretty much pot-bound needing a new pot right away. Let us know what you end up with.

ShadyGreenThumb said:A large mature plant will cost more, of course but larger plants are available in many stores in their landscape department and nurseries. Often plant tags have information on them, or a QR code that you can scan for plant information while you are in the store. You don't mention where you are located, but in our area nurseries are having many sales right now to reduce their inventory to make room for Christmas Tree Sales. This is a good time to buy plants.

Another way is to research what you would like then go to a nursery and ask for a specific plant. Use the Plant Database here to cross reference what you find. Many of the members here have contributed some valuable information on many plants. Be prepared to repot the plant. Most larger plants I have found to be pretty much pot-bound needing a new pot right away. Let us know what you end up with.

Here is the sticker on the plant. I'll go through the plant database. I live in Columbus, Ohio.

Here is an example of plant tag QR code. I think the bar code is store information. It's pretty late. I hope others will chime in to give you more ideas tomorrow.


http://bonnieplants.com/wp-con...

ShadyGreenThumb said:Here is an example of plant tag QR code. I think the bar code is store information. It's pretty late. I hope others will chime in to give you more ideas tomorrow.

All it says is Low light houseplant with the care instructions.

dee99gt
Not trying to be a downer but many of the QR codes I have checked have information that is so generic as to be almost useless.

Please consider returning the plant ASAP and get a refund.

One thing you might consider is posting a new question here in the Ask A Question Forum, stating your growing conditions and location and ask the ATP members for photos of some of their indoor plants in similar conditions. Keep in mind that a "low light window" in Columbus, Ohio will be much different that one in Tampa, Florida or Houston, Texas. During certain times of year it may be a good idea to have a bit of supplemental lighting for certain plants.

We have a houseplant forum on ATP. http://garden.org/forums/view/... You might consider posting something there to ask for recommendations.

I know nothing about this plant whatsoever... but a google search of "home depot white bird plant" gave me this link http://www.homedepot.com/p/Del... which describes the mature height at 60". (The web page also stated returns within 90 days of purchase.)

I'm taking it back today. I'll post on the forum asking for suggestions on what I should get. Thanks everyone!!

Here's my Giant White BOP in front if a 6 ft fence. It sits in full afternoon sun, getting sun most of the day. Watered every other day, and misted. Protection from frost. It was 18" tall 4 years ago. And like I said, I am purposely stunting is growth so it won't reach 30ft tall. I'm not hoping for blooms. Like you, i fell in love with the foliage. Unless you have vaulted ceilings, this as an indoor plant could outgrow your home under the right conditions. Let us know what you get instead.

You got good advice from Cheryl on this, Dee. I have White Birds growing in my garden that get easily 20ft. tall. They grow fast, if given warmth and lots of water, and in the size of pot that one was in, you'd need a lot bigger pot very soon or it would start having issues.

They should never sell White Birds as house plants, jmho. Unless you have a 3-story house with a glass roofed atrium, it's going to be too big in a hurry..

I returned it and created a post under house plants to hopefully get some help on selecting what will work for me. Thanks everyone for the help!

dyzzypyxxy said:They should never sell White Birds as house plants, jmho. Unless you have a 3-story house with a glass roofed atrium, it's going to be too big in a hurry..

No, they should not sell them. To make problems worse, most of the people working the floor don't have a clue that they are selling a problem.

Same with invasive plants. Just a different kind of problem

jmho

Lyn

Here is a great low light plant that take very little care. Spathiphyllum http://garden.org/plants/searc...

I successfully grow spathiphyllum, Peace Lily indoors. Here is my very mature plant, about 15 yrs old. Heavy feaders for blooms. Likes moist soil. Bright window. If you are looking for a wide, leafy plant, this is it. If you want a tall plant, then not so much.

How about a Fiddle Leaf Fig? Again, this is very mature but they grow indoors well. A good friend's Fiddle Leaf is three stories tall, on purpose. See @Dr.Dawg

I looked at a peace lily today. I might get one of those. The fiddle leaf looks neat!