If you prefer to plant seeds, get fresh seeds, soak them in water for three days (changing the water daily), and plant them while they're still fresh. Be sure place a drainage dish under the container and discard excess water. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn. Growing Bird of Paradise Indoors. You can also mist the plant in order to keep the humidity up. It now has several blooms, I'm so excited. I am now confident to do the process of planting! If you live in a place with cold winters, where bird of paradise won't survive outside, you're more likely to find a mature bird of paradise that has already been potted as a houseplant. When you plant a young Bird Of Paradise don’t be surprised if it doesn’t flower for the 1st few years. Plant in a well-draining potting mix. Those blooms are orange and blue on common bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) and white and blue on giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), also called the bird of paradise tree. Let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering and never let water accumulate or sit in the saucer. There are five Strelitzia species, but only two are commonly grown as indoor plants: Strelitzia reginae (the orange bird of paradise) and Strelitzia nicolai (the white bird of paradise). The Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa where it receives a lot of light and warmth. genus name. Thank, "Very informative. Most grow to 3-6 feet, and can take years to mature enough to flower. The video and instructor were fabulous. [ January 8, 2021 ] How To Pot & Care For Giant Bird Of Paradise Plant In Self-watering Lechuza Planter How Marijuana Works [ January 8, 2021 ] BTS #37 Marcus "Bubbleman" Richardson on the Science of Hash, Isolates versus Broad Spectrum Marijuana Medical Benefits [ January 8, 2021 ] LEAF The Health Benefits of Juicing Raw Cannabis Marijuana Health Benefits Can I grow bird of paradise from a trimming? Can I start a bird of paradise from the cut flower? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Itâs best to keep your Bird of Paradise on the dry side. Look for bird of paradise seeds or plants in your local garden nursery. Then, plant the cutting and position your pot in a location either inside or outside that gets 5 hours of sun per day. High light is vital for strong growth and flowering. Chai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. How and when to transplant a bird of paradise? To grow bird of paradise, start by buying a plant cutting from a gardening store and filling a large clay pot with rich potting soil. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. The bird of paradise plant is very popular in outdoor landscape decorating because it requires a large space in order to mature in its maximum size. Good in containers. From November through February, water just once a week. In addition to careful watering, it will benefit from regular misting to boost its humidity. If you’ve ever mistaken a plant for a bird, or vice versa, you may have encountered a Bird of Paradise plant. A South African native, the plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. Strelitzia. However, it loves a sunny spot. One of the most spectacular and impactful flowering plants for tropical to semi-tropical zones is Strelitzia bird of paradise. The seeds of the bird of paradise are toxic. To learn how to divide mature bird of paradise plants, read on! Bird of paradise, or strelitzia reginae, produces thick, leathery leaves and colorful flowers that resemble the shape of a bird's head. The flowers are long lasting on the plant as well as in arrangements. If you have a plant … It is highly attractive to birds. Approved. Thank you. In its natural habitat, the Mexican Bird of Paradise can handle anything Mother Nature throws at it. If you're watering a bird of paradise in a container, water until it begins to come through the bottom of the pot. Why are the leaves on my Bird of Paradise dry and curling? it in a sunny spot and it has done really well. I planted, "I was told that the plant does not like full sun. The other exception is cutting it back to look for bugs before it comes in for the fall or for its health. Used as an accent, especially on patios or near pools. unlocking this expert answer. Mild mouth and stomach irritation may occur. They last for quite a long time and make fantastic cut flowers. Your Bird of Paradise likes a salt-free diet, so you may need to switch to distilled water if you notice the leaves are turning brown. Your Bird of Paradise appreciates the occasional misting, which also helps remove the dust from its glossy dark leaves. Seed grown. Do all flowers have seeds? Orange bird of paradise will grow in full sun but seems happiest in part sun or part shade. If you're growing bird of paradise inside, it's important to keep it in the brightest room in your house. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy during the spring through fall. Bright light. Pests and Diseases. The plants do best in Zone 10, but can be container-grown in Zone 9B and moved indoors when cold snaps hit. This article was co-authored by Chai Saechao. If you live in an area where the climate is conducive to growing bird of paradise outside, you may be able to find seeds and cuttings in more than one variety. It is relatively hardy and adapts to a wide spectrum of light conditions from direct … Its broad, arching leaves make a dramatic, graceful statement in your home. 20 February 2019. How do I remove seeds from plants? Sunbirds, primarily the Cape Weaver, are the birds that pollinate the plants. Mulch against the stem of the plant will increase the chance of the bird of paradise getting stem rot. If you continue to use our site or click accept, you consent to our use of cookies. The breaks and slits in your Bird of Paradiseâs leaves arenât necessarily a cause for concern. Using pesticides on the plant may harm it, so it's better to take care of pests by physically removing them or rinsing them off. Work in 4 inches (10.2 cm) of rich compost or other organic material in order to enrich the soil and promote good drainage. The plant can be … Support wikiHow by Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 329,713 times. The crested orange & blue flowers are what this plant is grown for, both in the landscape & commercially. Water and humidity are important to keep your Bird of Paradise healthy. Bird of paradise plants do not like to be moved once … ", "Gift of seed from Hawaii. You can mix in a tablespoon of bone meal to make the soil even richer. When grown indoors, there will not be enough light to trigger the plant to produce a bloom. Bloomscape uses cookies to provide and improve our services, analytics and for personalized ads and content. Bird of paradise is a striking and beautiful plant that doesn't require much maintenance. Stop the mulch 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the stem. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. This is because it looks like the beak of certain birds, also the reason it is sometimes known as the crane flower. When I separated plants, the root curled around each other. Drink it, or use it as an all-natural lip gloss. Bird of Paradise plants prefer to be pot-bound, so use a small container with just about 1 inch of space between the roots and pot. Pictured Left: Throughout the rest of the United States, it enjoys widespread popularity as … Feeling trapped by your life and career? A clean cut is better than a tear. I really, "I haven't planted yet, but the information given was great! Expert Interview. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Thank you very much! During the spring and summer fertilize once a month with an all-purpose liquid feed. have flowers that resemble birds' heads. ", "It got me started, as I've just been giving a bird of paradise plant. Use fertilizer in the growing season. Toxins are found in the leaves and can adversely affect humans and pets if consumed. The water schedule I was also not aware of. I, "My plant seems to be growing up strong and healthy, but it tends to lean over. I was wondering if with more room, "Thank you for a very clear and detailed care plan to grow and nurture my bird of paradise plant. The complex blooms not only look like tropical birds, but also rely on birds for pollination. The Bird of Paradise can handle light levels from direct sunlight to low indirect light. I know how to care for and display these, "Overall the article gave us good tips and answered all our questions with this problem child. The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world. Given enough sunlight and the right conditions, the plant will put on a vibrant display of flowers, lending an atmosphere of tropical bliss … If ... Rich soil. It could also be that it's not getting enough water or the soil is cheap/inadequate. However, it will flourish in a sunny spot. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/bird-of-paradise/, http://www.thegardenhelper.com/birdofparadise.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Stay in the loop with special offers, plant-parenting tips, and more. The growing conditions for bird of paradise, particularly the temperature range, are very specific.