How to Grow & Care for Bird of Paradise

Are you looking for a plant with large and great blooms? Bird of paradise is a great option. The plant features blue, orange, and white flowers looking like a bird in flight. The great thing is that bird of paradise grows well throughout the year in warm climates. This article explains all the information you need to grow and care for a bird of paradise effectively in your home.

What is Bird of paradise?

Bird of paradise is a perennial exotic plant you will find growing in roadsides and gardens. The plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones ten to twelve. At times the plant also does well in hardiness zone 9. The name bird of paradise is derived from its stunning and elegant flowers. It grows in clumps and its underground stem divides. Its foliage grows in a fan-like pattern and looks like banana leaves. The flowers appear in groups on the long stalks. The plant is also referred to as crane flowers because of the bloom’s shape. Blue petals and orange sepals come from a modified leaf referred to as a bract. Blue petals get together to create a nectary that produces nectar. Bird of paradise blooms off throughout the year in the right climates. A healthy and mature plant produces up to thirty-six flower spikes every year. The flowers can last for several weeks.

Bird of paradise was once viewed as part of the banana family. However, the plant is now on its own family referred to as Strelitziaceae. The plant requires low maintenance that makes it a great option for your home or urban landscaping. You also like the plant because, unlike other tree roots, its roots do not thicken. The plant grows wild together with other shrubs along riverbanks and is a great source of nectar for birds.

Propagating bird of paradise

If you grow bird of paradise plants from seed it can take you three to ten years. To get quicker results, you can propagate them by division.

How to propagate by division

To propagate through divisions, you need to dig up mature clumps in early summer or late spring. Divide the ones that have five to six shoots or even more into one or more stem divisions. Based on the size of the clump, you should mark a radius or about eight to twelve inches from the plant base. You should also dig down to a depth of ten to twenty-four inches. Pull the plant up and cut through the root ball using a gardening shovel and knife. If you are growing the plant in a pot, you should lift the container and cut through the root ball using a sharp knife. Ensure that all the sections have at least a single stem attached. You need to plant each of the divisions in the ground at a similar length as the root ball section. You can plant into a container 8 to 12 inches deep and wide. You can also use a larger container depending on your division. Allow the soil to be moist for around three months until the roots get fully established.

How to propagate from seed

You can also plant birds of paradise from seeds. If you use this option, you should be patient since the plant will begin to bloom in about three to five years. You can save your own seeds from a mature plant. However, note that if the plant is hybrid, it does not produce a plant that looks like the parent plant. When you hand pollinate the flowers, seed pods start to appear above five months. Each pod has sixty to eighty seeds. When the flower withers and dies back, you can pick the pods and cut them open to get the seeds. The seeds are black featuring orange tufts. You should plant the seeds immediately after you harvest before the seed coat hardens. If you cannot plant immediately, you should make sure you plant them within six months to enhance viability. A hard seed coat makes the seed take a long time to germinate. If you find that the seed is hard, you can soak it in lukewarm water for two to three days. Then, nick the seed coat using a small knife or coat, through a process known as scarification. Before you sow the seed, get rid of the bright orange tuft of hairs that appear after soaking the seed.

Sow the seed a half to one inch deep in a container in a clean and loose medium. Place a humidity dome or plastic bag over the top to maintain humidity. Maintain a temperature of 75-90°F to allow the seed to germinate. The seeds should take one to three months to germinate. You can then transplant the seedlings to six inches pot when they develop four to five leaves. The soil should be evenly moist, but avoid making it waterlogged. Wait until the seedlings grow up to eight inches in height before you transplant.

Growing bird of paradise

Although bird of paradise has its origin in the subtropical coasts in South Africa, it can do well in warmer climates in hardiness zones 9 to 12. You should plant in areas that receive full sun. However, the plant can still thrive in subtropical climates. The plants’ characteristics differ according to the amount of light received. Those that grow in full sun feature shorter flower stems and are smaller. Those growing in the partial sun are bigger and have larger flowers.

Since bird of paradise produces a lot of flowers outside the plant, you should space them at least six feet apart. This allows for enough room for the flowers to flourish. As you transplant to the planting area, you need to dig a hole measuring two to three times the root ball diameter. The hole should be deep as the root ball height. Water your plant thoroughly before you remove it from the container. Make sure you do not damage the roots since they can be damaged easily. Place the plant in a hole and ensure that the root ball top is even with the soil surface. If you plant the bird of paradise too deeply, this can delay the flowering. Water the plant well in the first six months after you plant. Water deeply when the soil surface feels dry when you touch.

Potting and repotting bird of paradise

This is a fast-growing plant that needs to reach a certain size before it starts to bloom. A plant that is three to four feet tall grows well in a ten-inch pot. A five to six-foot plant does well in a fourteen-inch pot. You need to repot bird of paradise every spring into the next pot size. Once the plant matures, make it pot-bound to allow it to bloom.

Climate and soil needs

Bird of paradise can do well in a wide variety of soils. However, the plant does well in loamy and organically rich soils. The soil should be well-draining with a PH of 5.5 to 7.5. It can briefly withstand temperatures going to about 24°F. Freezing temperatures can damage developing buds and flowers. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, you can cover the plants.

Mulching and watering

If the bird of paradise gets excess or too little moisture, the leaves turn yellow and then die. When the plants mature, they become more draught-resistant and require watering when the top few inches of the soil get dry. Waterlogged soil makes the roots rot. During the cold months, when there is enough rainfall, you do not have to water the plants. You should also place a two to three-inch layer of mulch at the bottom of your plant. This helps in conserving moisture, offers the needed micronutrients, and prevents weed infestations. Avoid putting mulch near the stem. To protect the stem, keep a two to a three-inch circular area with no mulch. You can use organic mulch like pine needles, wood chips, or leaves.

Fertilizing

Bird of paradise can thrive in your garden without applying supplemental fertilizers. However, for best flowering and growth, you can apply supplemental fertilizer. The best options are organic options such as worm castings, well-rotted manure, or blood meal. Make sure you apply according to the instructions provided on the package. Apply the fertilizer after every three months as the plants grow. When growing in containers, you can apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

Maintenance and pruning

Bird of paradise requires low-level maintenance. Most of the maintenance work involves getting rid of dead leaves and aged flower stocks. This ensures that fungi do not build up in them. You can cut off the old flower stalks at the bottom of your plant. The dying or the dead foliage requires to be cut where the leaves meet the stem. If you do not get rid of them, they will remain attached to your plant. For big clumps, thin the foliage from the core to ensure there is enough airflow.

How to get more flowers

Your newly planted plants will not blossom for some years. To allow it to blossom fast, you need to fertilize the plant. You should apply liquid fertilizer weekly for three weeks. Do not apply the fertilizer in the fourth week. Then, do the fertilizing again for three weeks and continue with that schedule until the plant begins to flower. Before you apply the fertilizer, water the plant effectively one hour before. When the plant starts to bloom, allow it to dry before watering and it will flower more. Note that crowded blooms usually bloom more, so you should never rush to divide the clumps.

Designing tips for your plant

There are several bird of paradise design ideas you can apply to make your yard or garden more elegant. Since it has green leaves, you can plant bird of paradise in areas where you have problems with dropping leaves. So, you can also plant it beside a courtyard or pool. The plant also is also a great option to have in an anchor shrub or landscape. You can design by cutting blooms to bring them inside your house, where the plant can last for about two weeks in a vase. Bird of paradise also works well as a wildlife garden plant. Its blossoms attract orioles and hummingbirds that come to sip nectar.

Which plants can you plant together with Bird of paradise?

Some of the plants you can grow together with the bird of paradise include juniper, mondo grass, Asiatic jasmine, carissca, and bromeliads. These plants are drought resistant and low growing.

Diseases that affect bird of paradise

Many common bacterial pathogens and fungi infest bird of paradise. Here are some of the diseases and ways you can identify them.

Root rot

The plant acts as a haven for a fungal pathogen that causes root rot also referred to as damping off. You can control the disease by soaking the seed for a day at room temperature. Then you can drain and soak the seeds at 135°F for half an hour. When the seeds cool and get dry, plant them in a clean soil medium. The most visible signs of root rot are discolored leaves and telltale clusters that appear at the plant base. The best ways to control the disease include right care, right drainage, and proper irrigation. If one plant is affected, you should remove it.

Bacterial wilt

Bacterial wilt is caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum which affects the plant through the roots. The disease is transmitted by plant debris, gardening tools, water, insects, and soil. The first signs of the disease include yellowing and wilting of the leaves. Afterward, the base of your plant starts to turn brown or black at the soil surface. When one of your plants gets affected, get rid of it and destroy it to prevent the spread of the disease.

Fungal leaf spot

This is another common bird of paradise disease caused by a number of fungal pathogens. The affected leaves develop brown, tan, black, and yellow patches or spots. They then wither and drop off. To prevent the disease, you should offer the right care and sanitation. You can also spray the affected plant with neem oil.

Gray mold

Gray mold makes leaves and affected flowers develop a gray film. It makes the leaves wither, decay, and then drop. You can prevent the problem by removing the dying plant tissue. You should also avoid overhead watering.

Bird of paradise frequently asked questions

Why does bird of paradise have splits?

It is natural and normal for bird of paradise leaves to split. This is an adaptation of the plant that makes it possible for the wind to go through the leaves. Older leaves have more splits and need to be pruned as new leaves grow and fill your plant. If you find the plants developing splits increase humidity, remove it from air drafts or vents and ensure it is getting enough water and light.

Will bird of paradise flower?

In most cases, the plant does not produce flowers when grown indoors. The plant produces flowers when planted in its natural habitat conditions such as high light and humidity conditions.

What is the spear that emerges from the middle of bird of paradise?

This is a sign of a new leaf that emanates from the core of the plant and shoots out like a spear. After a few weeks, the leaf uncurls and reveals a shiny, brilliant new leaf. You should never try to help the leaf to open because this can damage the leaf.

What are signs that the plant is not getting enough light?

The plants need a lot of bright indirect light and a bit of direct light. Some of the signs that your plant is not getting enough light include drooping leaves, excess leaf splitting, leaf browning, and leaves that fail to open. At times you find the plant having issues with water absorption through its roots.

How often should you fertilize your plant?

Your bird of paradise will grow well when you apply fertilizer from spring through fall. You should fertilize one in a month using organic houseplant fertilizer. Follow the given guidelines for administration and dilution.

What signs show that bird of paradise is overwatered?

Bird of paradise drinks a lot of water in the proper lighting conditions. If the soil remains moist the plant becomes susceptible to overwatering. In case your bird of paradise is not getting enough water, it is more prone to overwatering. Some signs of overwatering include brown-edged leaves, excess splitting, and droopy leaves. You should aerate the soil to get rid of excess moisture from the soil.

Conclusion

As you can see from the article, it is easy to grow and care for bird of paradise. It does not require a lot of time like most other plants you may have in your home. All you need is to groom in spring after the cold weather to allow it to spruce up. The other great thing is that the plant does not have a lot of pests. However, you should you need to check out because it may be infected by whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids.