How To Grow And Care For Bird of Paradise Plant
The bird of paradise is a beautiful and popular plant known for its stunning and vibrant blooms. If the majesty of this tropical plant is leaving you speechless, you’re not alone—gardeners everywhere are in awe of its beauty.
Keep reading for a comprehensive care guide for the bird of paradise plant, if you choose to grow one.
Strelitzia reginae is an evergreen tropical flowering plant species native to South Africa. Apart from the bird of paradise, it is also commonly known as the crane flower. It can be easily confused with banana trees due to their similar appearance.
Some Interesting Facts About Bird of Paradise Plant
The scientific name of the bird of paradise plant, Strelitzia reginae, bears the name of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was Queen Consort of George III of England, and reginae in its name means “of the queen.”.
The flowers of this plant have orange sepals and purple petals on green-colored stalks. The blooms have an appearance similar to that of the exotic bird known as the bird of paradise, hence the name.
The vibrant flowers of the bird of paradise plant are known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bird of Paradise Plant
Is the bird of paradise an indoor or outdoor plant?
Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant that likes warmth and lots of sunlight, though it can tolerate partial shade. It is an outdoor plant that can be grown indoors as an ornamental plant if sufficient bright, indirect sunlight is provided to the plant. Please note that this plant is not suited for low-light conditions.
If there is a chance of frost or snow, bird of paradise plants should be brought indoors for the winter as they cannot withstand the frost.
Is the bird of paradise an annual or perennial plant?
The bird of paradise is an evergreen perennial plant. It has a lifespan of about 25 years. If grown outdoors, this plant can attain a height of about 14 feet and be around 8 feet wide.
When will the bird of paradise plant bloom?
The bird of paradise plant reaches maturity when it is 4-5 years old, and it will start to bloom only when it has attained maturity. A mature bird of paradise plant blooms from late winter to early spring, and it can give up to 36 flower spikes each year.
Will the bird of paradise plant bloom indoors?
The bird of paradise plant will very rarely bloom indoors. This tropical plant does best in warm, humid climates with lots of direct sunlight. It barely blooms indoors since it is difficult to replicate the same indoors. It is planted indoors for ornamental purposes, not for flowers but for its lovely foliage.
Is the bird of paradise plant toxic?
The answer is yes. The bird of paradise plant is toxic due to the presence of hydrocyanic acid in its leaves. Inadvertent ingestion of this may result in bowel motions and discomfort. Therefore, it is advisable to keep this plant out of children’s and pets’ reach.
How to Care for a Bird of Paradise Plant
Sunlight
It’s crucial to situate your bird of paradise plant in a bright area. If you are growing it outside in a frost-free environment, plant it where it will get six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
If you’re growing it indoors as an ornamental plant, try to situate it where it gets six to eight hours of bright, direct or indirect sunlight.
Soil
The bird of paradise plant likes slightly acidic to neutral soil that is well-drained. If growing in pots, you can purchase the standard tropical potting soil mix for it. Or you can prepare the potting soil at home by mixing equal parts of peat moss, perlite, compost, and garden soil.
Water
Proper watering is crucial to the care of the bird of paradise plant. Because the bird of paradise plant is drought-tolerant but will not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Always water deeply, and then wait for the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil to completely dry before next watering. Please note that excess watering and waterlogging can cause root rot.
Fertilizer
To maintain healthy growth The bird of paradise plant requires the application of fertilizers. To ensure that the plant gets the necessary nutrients right away, you should maintain one part of compost, vermicompost, or organic manure in the potting soil. Additionally, during the spring season, you can feed the plant NPK 20-20-20.
Humidity
The bird of paradise plant likes moderate-to-high humidity levels. To achieve this, you can mist occasionally and use plant humidifiers.
Temperature
Being a tropical plant, the bird of paradise favors warm conditions. It grows best in a temperature range of 18 to 30 degrees Celsius (65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). And it goes in dormancy if temperature falls below 13 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
