If you think it’s over fertilization (I can’t tell you for sure because I don’t know what he used or how you’ve been taking care of it), then you want to flush as much of it out as possible. It does okay in part shade & actually prefers this in blazing hot climates. If it looks like it needs a little boost mid-summer, then do it again. Thanks, Krishnee, Hello Nell! Anywhere from 5-10 years. I have two bird of paradises on my property in Los Angeles (And that’s all so far lol). Do all flowers have seeds? Of course, you can add organic fertilizers or bone meal to any soil to enrich it. They need bright natural light indoors (but no direct hot sun) & a fair amount of water. Hi this is Wanda from Ohio. The majority of the ones which grow around Santa Barbara don’t get any. If the spent flower stalk pulls off easily (or fairly easily!) I would love to sent photos to you. Another reason for the split, torn leaves is wind. Eventually, they died. Nell. Curling leaves are usually a sign. I live in zone 8 and mine is in its original pot after 2 yrs of planting pot in the ground and digging up in late fall to go in garage for winter protection I would think it needs to be transplanted but want to be sure. A lot of stems of browning leaves looked healthy on the outside, but had a hard dark brown chute in the center. I thought they lasted much longer?? My parents had a bird of paradise in a pot for 5 yrs and now I have it . The soil should be kept a little drier in the fall and winter months. 3) it can take them at least 6 months to recover 4) they like to be watered really well (which means deeply) after the transplant. The bird of paradise plant is named for its striking flower, which resembles a bird's crest. Will overwatering cause the birds to curl? They haven’t had blooms for many years and wonder what to do to produce blooms again. Be sure to rotate your plant (unless it gets light from all sides) so it grows evenly. Provide the highest natural light you can. For commercial Bird of paradise cultivation, planting may be done 60 x 60 cm apart with a planting density of 4 plants/m2 It also cultivated in Pits, with 60 x 60 x 60 cm are made and filled with soil, sand and farmyard manure at the ratio of 1: 1: 1. Bird of paradise is happy in most free-draining soils, but it prefers quality soil. It’s in full sun on half the bush. It’s easily over 6ft tall, and is as wide as the space allows. Hope you can tell me what to do. Thank you. You could give Berkeley Horticultural Nursery, East Bay Nursery, Flora Grubb Gardens or Sloat garden Center out by the zoo a call & see if they have 1 or could order 1. But now I found that the leaves are now getting brown. How can you tell when it is pot bound enough to transplant into next size pot? When I say giant, I mean GIANT. It might be because you are watering it too much or too little. most of the flowers exceed 12 inches tip to tip and the green stems look like trees towering 20 feet. They were then able to clean out the inside. $19.99 $ 19. Hi Chrissy – Giant BOP like regular waterings but they are prone to rot, depending on your soil drains. As the plant ages, more flowers will appear. You can either remove them or leave them on, that’s you’re call. There is a new leaf coming through but I am not sure if that is brown as well? I moved from California to Arizona in June & miss my 20′ GBOP. I have opened a number of flowers and different plants looking for seeds. Here’s my question though… when a new leaf emerges it never opens on its own… we’ve had to “birth” them, which leads to split or fractured leaves. Hi Louise – These plants clump & spread as they age so this can become an issue. They have a rather tough, extensive root system. I’ve been hacking off browning leaves all day, and all of the leaves that are significantly brown or dry have that dark brown hard chute in the center. Hi Alexsandra – My neighbor in Santa Barbara CA cut their 5′ BOPs down to 10″ above the ground. Water deeply, regularly in first few growing seasons to establish root system; once established, tolerates moderate drought but looks best with regular water. Could be not enough light, they need feeding or they need dividing. Or as long as it comes out with a pull it won’t damage the plant? Other bird of paradise plant diseases include leaf blight. It jhas hit hard times from probably being rootbound. If you liked this Bird Paradise Plant Care blog you should also check the one I did on the Giant Bird Of Paradise. All the stalks started falling over all new growth turned brown cut off bad stalks. I have had a BOP for At least 20 years. Approved. –> Just like outdoors, it likes to grow crowded so don’t rush to do any transplanting. Here’s the picture I said that I’d try to find in the video. And that made me sad. If you like bold tropical foliage and big bright blooms then it’s so well worth the effort. It bloomed for me last winter in the garage. 6 months later, we had 14 beautiful flowers. Selective pruning generally doesn’t help. Right now, it’s growing against a wall in a flower bed alongside our driveway, and I’d really like to divide the plant so it’s as big around as a basketball and not a Volkswagen . Work in 4 inches (10.2 cm) of rich compost or other organic material in order to enrich the soil and promote good drainage. Hi Leslie – If your BOP is hitting the ceiling, it sounds like you have a Giant Bird Of Paradise. Thanks!!!!! However, after reading this article I have decided to divide it into two plants and keep it indoors. I’ve had them for 6 years and just want them to be happy!! I would love a good video on this process even if you use the regular Bird of paradise to illustrate the process. Nell. Will the plant give me signs, before it’s too late? This plant is really easy to care for outdoors (it’s 1 tough puppy) but is a little more of a challenge indoors. As mature plants, the Mexican bird of paradise prefers soil to dry between watering and is drought tolerant. LOL, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s even a bop! Transplanting depends on the size of the plant, the size of the pot it’s in & how fast it’s growing. Should I cut the dead bloom off now? Nell, Hi Dawna – My GOP in Santa Barbara was 19′ tall so I know what you mean. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn. Loamy soil is well-drained and is naturally fertile. Open up a planting hole at least twice the size of the pot. Just brought home my first white bird of paradise… Would you suggest waiting to re-pot until it’s a bit root logged? Here’s a post I did on this plant: https://www.joyusgarden.com/ask-nell-why-are-my-giant-bird-of-paradise-leaf-edges-turning-brown/ Nell. In fact, it’s another common cause behind ailing bird of paradise plants. Cooler temps will stimulate the flowering process. You can cut back old dead leaves and flowers that have senesced. browned. Plant your Bird of Paradise in a mixture of sterile potting soil, peat moss, and sand with a liberal amount of bone meal added. Nell, Hi Vicki – When BOPs are growing as houseplants & the leaves don’t open, it’s usually due to lack of humidity. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 327,774 times. Large Bird of Paradise 32 Inch Permanent Flower ,Flower Stem 0.5 Inch ,UV Resistant No Fade Flower Part is Made of Soft Rubber PU,Artificial Flower Plants for Home Office 2 Pcs (Orange red) 4.3 out of 5 stars 102. Nell, I have 4 BOP that the leaves curled up and yellow due to the extreme cold we had in Louisiana for two weeks. This works slower but the effects last longer. To learn how to divide mature bird of paradise plants, read on! This article was co-authored by Chai Saechao. Nell, Hey, Neil Yours is old enough to bloom. The Bird Of Paradise grows the best & blooms the most in full sun. I may also need to amend soil for better results. Andrew, Hi Andrew – Bird Of Paradise is a really tough plant. If there are any matted or encircled roots, loosen them using your fingers. Pure potting soil is too dense and can clump around the roots, making them unable to reach and take up water, so use a light and airy mix! We live in South Carolina where the weather is extremely warm and humid in summer month, was wondering if the climate will be right for these beauties? ». A huge array of elements was featured to ensure that when the blooming season arrives your bird of paradise will rule your festive seasons with amazing blooms. 2) the best time to do it is spring or early summer. Gently place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is no deeper than the soil surface. To learn how to divide mature bird of paradise plants, read on! What do I do? Planting too deep might hinder flowering. Thank, "I was given a bird of paradise last year that was in a good-size pot and it did have a couple of blooms. The best time to prune/repot is spring or summer. To grow bird of paradise, start by buying a plant cutting from a gardening store and filling a large clay pot with rich potting soil. Hope that helps, Nell. It’s best to keep your Bird of Paradise on the dry side. Nell. This plant is best left alone to mature so that it is forced to flower. This article has been viewed 327,774 times. Hi Cindy – Bird Of Paradise bloom better when kept slightly pot bound. at his point. It has been in sun, and indirect light. Thanks! I need to replant but am unsure of how deep I should plant them. Hi Terry – I lived in San Francisco for 20 years. The flowers are long lasting on the plant as well as in arrangements. Keep the bird of paradise in a bight room away from cold drafts from outdoors, and away from drying heater vents. I put an overhead fixture above each one and have been using a led bulb with 11 red and 4 blue lights. Last winter, I brought them inside because there’s no way they’d survive the cold, but they’re all so big now and there’s absolutely no place for them inside. This “mohawking” is NOT the way to prune these plants! Birds of paradise do best with a regular watering schedule. The leaves of a BOP growing indoors open very slowly. It has never bloomed. Nell. When the temperature outside is right, you also have the choice to place the plant in a sunny spot outdoors; just make sure to bring it in when the air gets too hot or cold. You can read our policies here. Can I grow Bird of Paradise in Washington State? When this top layer dries, water the container. They're trying to hide from the sun because it's too hot. The Bird Of Paradise isn’t too fussy as to soil which is evidenced by the wide variety of places it grows in. Your plant may require more water when the weather is dry or hot. It’s the size of a shrub! Yes and no. It manifests itself as white spots on the leaves surrounded by a ring in a shade of green different from that of the plant. Your cost for the products will be no higher but Joy Us garden receives a small commission. Provide shelter from harsh winds. Or, you can mist it a couple of times a weeks. When I separated plants, the root curled around each other. Make it as deep as the root ball is tall. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn. ", "Gift of seed from Hawaii. In winter they could most likely take more sun. I am now confident to do the process of planting! Take wikiHow’s Wine Course and drink wine like an expert. I also pull out the dead outer leaves for making the plant feel lighter. Be sure to wait until the weather has consistently warmed up at night; which would most likely be spring. Any idea what we’re dealing with? They can cause abdominal pain and vomiting in children and dogs. I could saw off the lower flowers, but my neighbor who was a professional gardener took care of the upper ones. Nell, Hi Nell, I have a bird of paradise in full sun and have been pulling out the spent flowers instead of cutting them. If you prefer to plant seeds, get fresh seeds, soak them in water for three days (changing the water daily), and plant them while they're still fresh. Could I cut them down (as I will my outdoor bananas), protect the roots from water and frost and expect that they’ll come back in the spring? But maybe that’s the only way to treat it Your email address will not be published. After 3 or 4 months, I decided to cut off anything dead. I have noticed that it does occur on older plants with quite a bit of “clump” to them because I haven’t seen any newly planted or younger plants with those double blooms. Nell. It was doing great we transfer it into a bigger pot but we had a harsh weather wk with temp down to 18° .. it warmed up since then but I think it dead. ", "It got me started, as I've just been giving a bird of paradise plant. ", had not ever seen this, except in bamboo. Nell. Hi Pamela – BOPs bloom when older. By keeping it slightly potbound you’ll get much better blooms. California. But I was wondering about removing old blooms, so that's why I checked out this article. Not all plants will produce a lot of suckers. Support wikiHow by Mexican bird of paradise grows best and has more flowers in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. ", "It gave me the correct food formula of 10-10-10 and I reduced the watering schedule. This plant is not a giant, it has the yellow, orange and blue flowers. it in a sunny spot and it has done really well. Any idea why? I just had a friend tell me today, “that’s not going to live, it’s going to die. It is simple to grow bird of paradise plant indoor. I live in Toronto, Canada, and have a large BoP that I bought a couple of years ago when it was about 4-5 feet tall. Just leave it be for now (you can remove any damaged foliage) & then see how it’s doing in spring. I can tell you that they do best in Phoenix in a north or east exposure, protected from the hottest sun. https://www.joyusgarden.com/ask-nell-why-are-my-giant-bird-of-paradise-leaf-edges-turning-brown/, Project: Bird of Paradise – Surf Snow and Sky, https://www.joyusgarden.com/bird-paradise-plant-care/. To keep the flower stalks erect, the plants should be provided with the proper supporting system. Can I report it and put in house or put it in ground? Thanks so much. Place the container that is currently holding the bird of paradise plant into a bucket, or basin of water to soak for 30 minutes. is it helpful to remove suckers and if so, how do I tell them apart? What could be the problem? The planting hole should be dug 2 to 3 times the diameter of the root ball. The opening process can take a while. I can’t say how often because I don’t know your summer temps. It’s not going too be a giant. Half the bush! When is the best time of year to do this? I just bought my first BOP. What is the rule for watering a BOP in container? It’s been in the same pot the whole time. I think it would be just fine. Leaf blight can usually be treated by an application of fungicide to the soil. Nell, Hi Kristin – October/November is a great time for planting or transplanting in LA. 10 years ago it grew straight up to 10 feet in my double living room. "I haven't planted yet, but the information given was great! Try not to let the soil dry completely through the pot, but also avoid overwatering. If you live in a place with cold winters, where bird of paradise won't survive outside, you're more likely to find a mature bird of paradise that has already been potted as a houseplant. The crested orange & blue flowers are what this plant is grown for, both in the landscape & commercially. Knowing that there is less humidity indoors, I do “mist” the plant daily. Hi Pam. Strelitzia bird of paradise needs rich soil that is well draining. I have 4 birds of paradise plants in the corners of my sunroom What plant could I purchase? Is there something I can do to help avoid this with the newer leaves? A good blast with the garden hose will send those pests flying. I do know 2 things on this subject though: you need to soak the seeds for a few days before planting them & it can take over 10 years for a plant grown from seed to flower. As a tropical flower, the bird of paradise prefers nutrient-rich, well-draining soil in an area or container that allows for adequate root growth. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. To have it struggling based on the soil is a rare issue, but more common when the plant has been planted. Bird of paradise is easy to grow indoors in a pot, provided you expose it to adequate sunlight and keep the soil consistently moist. I live in the sunny part of San Francisco. Just be sure to give them a really good soaking when you plant them. If you're planting bird of paradise outdoors, till the soil in your planting bed to a depth of 12 inches (30.5 cm). This plant is susceptible to root rot so don’t keep it “mushy”. Keep the soil evenly moist except from November-February when your plant should be kept on the dry side. While the plant is indoors, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Mulch against the stem of the plant will increase the chance of the bird of paradise getting stem rot. Or would that kill them? I really, "Very informative. Please help me help my beautiful bop, Hi Kollen – With temps below freezing, you want to bring you plant inside the house or at least in the garage if temps stay lower than 32 degrees. I planted, "I was told that the plant does not like full sun. Nell. The soil needs to be nutrient-rich and have a permeable texture but it also needs to retain some bits of moisture for a couple of days. In the winter, allow two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. The roots are very tough but very fibrous & prone to over watering. –> High light is the key. Hi, great pics and tips! Water it daily, and check the soil often to ensure that it stays moist. Hi Teri – Thank you! I do love them, Thanks, Hi Pam – Plant those clumps so that the top of the root balls are level with the soil as they’d been growing before. Once you’ve chosen a good soil, dig a 3-inches deep hole and as wide as about twice or thrice the size of the root ball of the plant. Sincerely, Brooke, Hi Brooke – I can’t help you with that because I’m not familiar with gardening in South Carolina. I’m going to try my hardest to cut all the rotten stems down as far as I can (It is a BIG bush. They are doing great! Nell, Hi Ruth – That’s longevity! I need to know how to keep it under control. Bird of Paradise is very sensitive about watering, so try to water it around the same time every two days. Good drainage is essential. You’ll want to remove the dead flowers & any unsightly foliage.