How to Grow a Bird of Paradise? [Complete Growing Guide]
Can you grow a Bird of paradise from a bulb?
Strelitzias do not have any bulbs. Their root system is made up of rhizomes which can be sliced in order to easily propagate.
In Containers
Bird of paradise thrives in containers with a drainage hole and rich, well-draining potting soil. It thrives in a moist, humid climate but has little tolerance for both the cold and strong winds.
If you have a greenhouse or conservatory, place your Bird of paradise here as it will thrive in the moist, humid environment.
Unlike many other houseplants, the Bird of paradise does enjoy being slightly root bound. The roots of the plant grow fast, quickly filling out the space in the pot.
Once the plant has filled the space, it focuses its energy on producing new growth instead. This is one of the reasons why being pot-bound encourages blooming in the Bird of paradise.
Can a Bird of Paradise Grow in Water? Or Only Propagate?
The Bird of paradise can be spread by cutting it into pieces or growing it from seeds. It cannot be grown in water.
Their leaves and stems do not form roots when cut. It is important to include a piece of the rhizome when cutting your plant.
Propagation through division
When cutting a Bird of paradise, you’ll want to include a section of the rhizome along with it. This is because spreading the plant by cutting off a leaf or a piece of stem won’t work because your plant won’t be able to grow roots.
Rhizomes resemble fleshy, pale tubers with roots.
Birds of Paradise can also be grown from seed. This is a long but certainly rewarding journey.
The offspring can take four to ten years or more to flower. The seed should be fresh, ideally less than 6 months old for the best results and chance of germination. The seeds have a hard seed coat and must be scarified. This is done by scraping the outside of the seed with a file, just enough to break the seed’s outer coat.
If you do not want to purchase seeds, you can acquire seeds via hand pollination. In their native South Africa, the Bird of paradise is pollinated by birds.
Can a Bird of Paradise Live Outside?
Allowing your plant to spend some time outdoors can help it achieve its full potential.
The best growing conditions for any plant will mimic its native habitat. The Bird of paradise is considered a tropical plant and is native to South Africa. For your plant to grow well, you will need to give it bright, indirect light and a climate that is always warm and moist.
How to transition your Bird of paradise outdoors
Sudden changes to your Strelitzia’s environment can cause your plant to suffer from shock. When your plant is suffering from shock, it will appear limp, with slow growth. Your plant may also lose some leaves until it has adjusted.
To prevent this, introducing your plant slowly to its new conditions is recommended.
Consider moving your plant to a bright window or a sunnier spot than where it currently stands. Move your Bird of Paradise outside after a few days in this position.
Place it in a position that is shady. After several days outdoors in the shade, you can move your plant into the sun.
The Sun, however, is not the only thing to keep in mind. Once your plant is outdoors, you will need to adjust your plant’s watering schedule.
The increase in the amount of light, faster evaporation through wind, and change in humidity are some of the factors that will influence your plant’s new watering needs.
Bird of Paradise Plants Around Pools – Is That a Good Idea?
When it comes to adding some greenery around the pool, Bird of paradise is one of the most commonly used plants in landscaping.
The Bird of paradise is a hardy plant. While some plants may not be able to tolerate being splashed with pool water, the Bird of paradise will be able to withstand being misted with pool water on occasion, making it a great option.
How to Grow a Baby Bird of Paradise? Propagate from Pups
To propagate your Bird of paradise, you’ll need to include a piece of the plant’s rhizome in order for it to have any chance at surviving. This is because, unlike many other plants, the Bird of paradise cannot grow roots from cuttings.
The best time to propagate your Bird of paradise is in early spring. This will minimize your plant’s stress compared to being propagated in winter, when the plant experiences a decrease in growth.
If your Bird of paradise is situated indoors, depending on the temperature, it may start producing rapid new growth a bit earlier than one situated outdoors.
If this is the case and you begin to see rapid new growth towards the end of winter, you can split up your pups from the mother plant and begin your propagation a bit sooner.