How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise in Containers
Intro: The bird of paradise plant, also called crane flowers, is a large tropical plant native to South Africa that an easy plant to care for that is low-maintenance. In colder areas, the bird of paradise flower can be overwintered indoors during cooler months and moved out into the balcony garden for the summer. They usually bloom with unique flowers in winter or early spring. Its large leaves grow from 1 foot to 2 feet long, and the whole container plant can grow to more than 6 feet tall.
The bird of paradise’s impressive flower, which resembles a bird’s head plumage, emerges from a spathe shaped like a bird’s beak (hence the name bird of paradise). The bird of paradise's flowers have three orange sepals and three blue petals. The bird of paradise should flower twice a year or more once it is mature.
Scientific Name: Strelitzia reginae
Plant Type: Perennial flower
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: To care for the bird of paradise flower, use a rich, well-drained potting soil. Water thoroughly once a week until soil is completely moist. High humidity is best, but it can tolerate little water once established.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in the spring with slow-release fertilizer pellets or feed weekly with a liquid fertilizer.
Temperature: Keep in above 50-degree temperatures, as it does not tolerate cold well. The bird of paradise plant can do well all year long in sunny and warm states such as Florida and California.
Pests and Diseases: The bird of paradise plant is usually pest-free, but if insect pests or disease do occur, it will usually not kill the bird of paradise. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, scales and snails may find their way to your bird of paradise. Fungal leaf spot may also occur.
Propagation: Buy an established bird of paradise plant from your garden center, and propagate by dividing its rhizome during repotting. Also can be grown from seed.
Misc. Info: Repot this plant every spring. It needs a large plant container to grow and bloom, so repot your bird of paradise plant each spring. It has to reach a large size before it blooms, which takes about three to five years after germination. Once the bird of paradise flowers, deadhead dead and dying blooms. Blooms last for about a week.
