Bird of paradise: Know tips to grow and care

The bird of paradise is one of the most well-known plants in the world. It originated in the subtropical coastal regions of southern Africa, and it has since been domesticated all over the world. Portugal, where it is the national flower, is one of the places it has naturalised, along with North, Central, and South America. Horticulturists, designers, florists, and gardeners all love it for its exotic appearance and unusual, vividly coloured blossoms that resemble a bird’s head. When in full bloom, a bird-of-paradise resembles multiple birds that have been concealed in a mass of foliage by craning their necks upward and rotating their pointed beaks and plumed heads in various directions.

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See also: Argemone Mexicana: Tips for Growing and Caring for this Plant

Bird of paradise: Facts table

Bird of paradise: Physical description

The bird-of-paradise flower can reach heights of 1 to 1.5 metres via underground stems called rhizomes (about 3 to 5 feet). It has long petioles bearing stiff, upright, leathery, concave, and oblong leaves (leafstalk). The leaves have a blue-green hue and occasionally a red midrib.

Flowers

The blooms of bird-of-paradise are its most well-known and conspicuous feature. The flowers have a complex structure with vivid colours and an abundance of nectar to entice their bird pollinators. They are perched atop long stalks that can grow to a height of five feet. On the stalk, a bract (a modified leaf also known as a spathe) with a canoe-like shape develops, and it opens along its upper edge to reveal the flower petals, stamens, and conspicuous stigma that emerge from within the sheath. From September until May, the flowers usually bloom.

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Leaves

An evergreen plant called a bird of paradise has thick, waxy leaves that are arranged into a fan-like clump. The leaves are various shades of lustrous, deep green, blue-green, and subdued grey-green. The paddle-shaped leaves have an upright, long stem that resembles the stalk of a banana plant. The narrow-leaved bird of paradise is an exception; mature plants have leaves that resemble sharp spikes.

Bird of paradise: How to grow

Bird of paradise plants can take three to ten years to grow from seed; however, divisional propagation results in new plants much more quickly.

By division

• Late spring or early summer are the best times to divide mature clumps into single- or multiple-stem divisions if they have four to five shoots or more.
• You’ll need to mark a radius of eight to twelve inches from the plant’s base and dig down to a depth of ten to twenty-four inches, depending on the size of the clump.
• Using a gardening shovel or knife, carefully cut through the root ball after pulling the plant up.
• Lift the plant out of the container if it is growing in one, then use a sharp knife to cut through the root ball.
• Ensure that at least one stem is connected to each part.
• Depending on the size of your division, plant each part at the same depth as the root ball in the ground or into a container that is at least eight to twelve inches wide and deep.
• For at least three months until the roots are established, keep the soil moist.

From seed 

• These plants can be grown from seeds if you have patience. Three to five years could pass before your plants begin to flower.
• Yet, according to other sources, it might take up to 10 years for plants grown from seeds to blossom.
• It is possible to save your own seeds from mature plants, but hybrid plants will result in the seeds not producing true to the parent plant.
• You can gather the pods when the blossom has faded back and shrivelled. You can gather the pods and split them apart to get the seeds out.
• The seeds are the size of sweet pea seeds and are black with orange tufts.
• Before the seed coat hardens, sow the seeds as soon as possible after harvest.
• Once the seeds have soaked, take off the bright orange tuft of hairs.
• In a container or planting tray with a moist, loose, and clean seed starting media, plant the seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep.
• To keep the area humid, cover it with a plastic bag or humidity dome to preserve a humid atmosphere.

Bird of paradise: How to care

Water

Water every one to two weeks, letting the soil dry out in between applications. In brighter light, water more frequently, and in less-bright light, less frequently. Water that has been filtered or left out overnight before use is beneficial for this plant.

Sunlight

The South African environment that the plant is accustomed to must be replicated, which calls for SUN, SUN, SUN! As a lover of the sun, this plant will thrive on a western or southern window sill where it may get 6 to 8 hours of bright, direct sunlight daily. Therefore, for the best development and the most flowers, place the bird of paradise in full sunlight.

Humidity

Normal room humidity would do, but if at all feasible, the Birds of Paradise would prefer humid environments. To increase the humidity inside, think about adding a fine-mist mister or humidifier.

Temperature

Most houseplants enjoy temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 30°C). It’s ideal to keep the temperature above 60°F (15°C). For a brief period, the plant can withstand temperatures as low as 24°F; nevertheless, freezing conditions will harm the plant’s emerging petals and flower buds. Grow birds of paradise in a container that can be brought indoors during winter.

Soil

Plants that grow in a variety of soil types, such as birds of paradise, are fairly tolerant. However, they thrive in soil that is loamy, rich in organic matter, well-draining and has a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Furthermore, use a potting mix that drains effectively. When more soil aeration is required, combine elements like perlite or lava rocks.

Common problems with growing birds of paradise

Although the bird of paradise is an easy-going and pest-free plant in general, it can be vulnerable to spider mites sometimes. Treat pests as soon as they show up by wiping down the plant frequently and weekly applications of a natural insecticide like neem oil.

Bird of paradise: Uses

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and simple to grow, especially in warm regions, the bird of paradise is often used as a decorative landscape plant.
• In chilly climates, they can also be grown as indoor houseplants.
• In addition to their attractive appearance, the flowers are a mainstay for florists when making exotic and tropical arrangements because they survive for up to two weeks.
• The air can be purified by these plants. These may help reduce anxiety and stress.
• Birds of paradise have the potential to enhance mental health in addition to physical health by cleansing the air.
• Sleep quality may be improved by the bird of paradise plants. Additionally, especially in offices, bird of paradise plants may boost productivity.
• Bird of paradise plants can provide natural soundproofing to your home and office spaces.

Bird of paradise: Toxicity

Ingesting the foliage from a Birds of Paradise plant can irritate people, cats, and dogs. Always keeping indoor plants away from little children and animals is the best approach.

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