Natural leaf aging
An occasional yellow lower leaf on an otherwise healthy plant is completely normal.
Diagnosis
Natural leaf aging
What's happening
Bird of Paradise constantly retires its oldest leaves to fuel big new ones unfurling from the center. If only one or two of the lowest, oldest leaves are yellowing and the crown looks lush, nothing is wrong.
How to fix it
Cut the spent leaf off at the base with clean snips for a tidy look, and carry on with your normal care. Just keep an eye out that the yellowing stays confined to the oldest leaves and doesn't climb into newer growth.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Bird of Paradise care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this