Bird of Paradise Care Guide: How to Grow Bird of Paradise

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a flowering plant in the genus Strelitzia, which is part of the Strelitziaceae family. It gets its name because it resembles a bird in flight. Also known as crane flower, the bird of paradise is native to South Africa and flourishes in Florida, Hawaii, and other tropical climates. The bird of paradise features large, dark green leaves that resemble those of a banana plant. The leaves surround brightly-colored, spiky flowers, which emerge from a bract.

Bird of paradise plants come in five species: Strelitzia nicolai, S. reginae, S. alba, S. caudata, and S. juncea. There are two species commonly sold for home gardens. S. reginae, also known as the orange bird of paradise, is commonly grown as a houseplant and is the most recognizable bird of paradise. This bird of paradise flower has three orange sepals and three blue petals. S. nicolai, the white bird of paradise or the giant bird of paradise, has white flowers streaked with dark blue. This species is a common landscape plant and can reach up to 30 feet in height.

Bird of paradise plants are low-maintenance and easy to grow. Note that growing a bird of paradise from seeds is a lengthy process, and the plant can take three to five years to bloom. You can also buy a potted bird of paradise plant from a florist or garden center and grow it indoors or in a garden following these steps:

1. 1. Plant the bird of paradise in fertile, well-draining soil. To plant the bird of paradise in your garden, choose fertile, well-draining soil and add mulch to conserve moisture, reduce weed infestations, and provide nutrients.
2. 2. Fertilize the planting soil. Add fertilizer to the soil to encourage flowering. In the garden, use manure or a slow-release fertilizer every three months as the plant is growing. If you are growing the bird of paradise in a container, fertilize it every two weeks with liquid fertilizer or apply slow-release pellets every two to three months.
3. 3. Keep the plant’s root exposed. When planting in soil, keep the top of the root slightly exposed to encourage flowering.
4. 4. Put the plant in a sunny spot. In the garden, the bird of paradise plant thrives in full sun, though it can also live in part shade. As an indoor plant, make sure it's near a window where it will get plenty of bright light.
5. 5. Let the soil dry between waterings. Water the plant consistently in its first six months, then water only when the soil starts to feel dry. The mature bird of paradise will get root rot if it's overwatered, so give it three inches of water when the soil is fully dry. Overwatering can also lead to yellowing leaves.

Bird of paradise plants will flower in four to five years. Mature bird of paradise plants (at least three years old) are drought-tolerant and don’t need much care, but to encourage flowering, follow these plant care tips:

• Prune your bird of paradise plant. Prune the plant to prevent the buildup of fungi. Remove old flower stalks by cutting to the soil base and cut off dead leaves where the leaf meets the stem.
• Regulate the temperature of the growing environment. The plant grows in warm climates, ideally in temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The plant won’t flower if daytime temperatures go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are planting a bird of paradise in a pot outside, take it inside during the winter months as it won't survive in temperatures below 24 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Repot your plant to encourage growth. If you’re growing a pot-bound bird of paradise, move the plant to a bigger pot when the roots outgrow the container. Repotting should be done in the spring. A three- to four-foot-tall bird of paradise should have a 10-inch pot, and a five- to six-foot-tall plant should have a 14-inch pot.
• Propagate your bird of paradise. Dig up mature clumps of the plant in late spring or early summer. Cut through the root ball, ensuring there are at least four to five shoots in each section. Space the new plants at least three to five feet apart, and keep the soil moist until the plants take root.

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