If the temperature dips below freezing or gets very hot where you live, bird of paradise will die if planted in the garden. However, if the roots are coming out of the pot, it is probably time to consider repotting or division. Under the right conditions, including full, southern light exposure, proper humidity and temperature, Bird of Paradise may flower indoors, although this is rare. It has grown, made a change of location with us 11 yrs ago in the same … It's heat and drought tolerant, good in containers and a great houseplant, too. Next, cover the entire stem and rhizome area with mulch. google_ad_height = 200; Did you already put your bird of paradise in the ground, only to realize that it’s likely to suffer during the winter? Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. The minimum temperatures in these zones range between 30 to 40 degrees F. The bird of paradise grows well in zone 10 as well as zone 11, although it can survive in temperatures as low as 24 degrees F for brief periods. But you do want to know how you can keep your bird of paradise warm if, say, there’s a cold snap that’s too close to 32°F for comfort. Grasp the stalk and carefully remove the plant, and place it directly into the waiting pot. Read on to learn how to take care of birds of paradise in the garden. Once the bird of paradise flowers, deadhead dead and dying blooms. Decide whether to grow it inside or outside. Plant the seeds about an inch deep and keep the potting mix moist and very warm (about 85° F.) It does prefer a loamy, somewhat rich mix however & needs good drainage. Info: Repot this plant every spring. Bird of paradise requires a steady temperature between 50-72 degrees Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius). Enjoy big, beautiful blooms year after year. A south-facing or west-facing window is best. Also known as crane flower, bird of paradise (Strelitzia spp.) You’ll probably need a friend to help you lift the heavy plant (and its root ball!). But that doesn’t mean they won’t pay a price for withstanding such a chilly dip in temperature. The plants can be heavily damaged when temperatures dip below 24 Fahrenheit (-4 C.). Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets. Ensure that it has good drainage, with a hole or several in the bottom of the pot. This flower is best suited to USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, and it will struggle in anything colder. The split leaves that give the Bird of Paradise plant it’s bird-like morphology is scientifically believed to be purposeful leaf tearing or lobing of leaves to reduce drag in the wind. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Hardiness. Neutral: On Nov 18, 2003, K5CENTS wrote: I'm wondering why the leaves on my Bird of Paradise turn brown on the tips and curl. 812 260-2148 | X. Make sure you continue watering your plant through the winter, unless you experience an actual freeze. Laura Melchor grew up helping her mom in the garden in Montana, and as an adult she’s brought her cold-weather gardening skills with her to her home in Alaska. 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. With proper wintertime care, your bird of paradise beauties will thrive for years. 65⁰F to 75⁰F temperature range is ideal. 6 Some say blossoms of the bird of paradise plant resemble the heads of tropical birds, but others say they look like brightly colored birds in full flight. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. $0.00 0 0 $0.00 Sun Plants. Prolonged exposure will kill any flower buds, however. Black of the University of Florida Institute … Or maybe you live in Zone 8 or 9 and have planted a giant S. nicolai or S. alba that you can’t just pot up and bring inside. Fill the container with two parts potting soil and one part perlite. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. As a freelance writer, she contributes to several websites and blogs across the web. Don’t worry too much about breaking pieces of root here and there – these plants are tough. Although Bird of Paradise has in Rio de Janeiro the perfect conditions to grow, people seem to avoid it. We’ve got you covered. My bird was hit by frost and all leaves are brown but stalks are green. How far back should I cut back if need be? Temperature The Mexican Bird of Paradise falls within the USDA hardiness zone of 9 which means it can tolerate cold weather although it prefers high temperatures between 60 to 78 degrees F. When the temperature falls below 32 degrees F, the plant goes into dormancy. For additional tips on growing birds of paradise as houseplants, see our guide. Keep it next to your sunniest windowsill, and move it outside again as soon as the temperatures allow – the plant is more likely to produce an attractive profusion of flowers if it is grown outdoors. Can I cut the plant back now or wait till spring? Regardless, ideal bird of paradise growing conditions both indoors and out remain the same: bright light, well-drained soil and adequate water through the growing season. Bird of paradise grows 3 to 5 feet in height and blooms intermittently through the year, creating a colorful focal point in warm-climate gardens. Move the pot outdoors slowly for brief periods of time each day, and let the Bird of Paradise … As you would if you were overwintering the closely related banana plant, you need to cut the stem and leaves down to just 12 inches above the ground. If you live somewhere with a cool climate, you will likely need to keep the bird of paradise flower as an indoor plant. It has to reach a large size before it blooms, which takes about three to five years after germination. If you live in a warm climate where temperatures stay above 40–50 °F (4–10 °C) most of the time, then you can leave the plants outside. google_ad_slot = "6102494112"; Tease apart the tuber-like roots so they fan out over the soil. There are five species in this genus, and all may be referred to by the same common name. Birds-of-paradise are closely related to the corvids.Birds-of-paradise range in size from the king bird-of-paradise at 50 g (1.8 oz) and 15 cm (5.9 in) to the curl-crested manucode at 44 cm (17 in) and 430 g (15 oz). The Bird Of Paradise isn’t too fussy as to soil which is evidenced by the wide variety of places it grows in. We go over Watering, temperature, sunlight exposure, and fertilizing. Place it near your sunniest window. It’s uncanny how much this flower resembles a tropical bird, isn’t it? In colder regions, many gardeners tuck it into a pot they can shift outdoors … Read on to find out how to overwinter your bird of paradise if you live in Zone 9, or are daring to grow the gorgeous birdlike blooms in Zone 8. There are several species of Strelizia, many of which are monster plants, so check the mature size and leave plenty of room for it to grow. /* BCGRside */ Laura also writes novels and holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Tropical perennial produces multicolor blooms that bring an exotic look to your outdoor space. Because it does not require full sun, bird of paradise can be grown as a houseplant. This is caused by the increased elevation and explains why the bird of paradise plant thrives in … belongs to the Strelitziaceae family, of which Madagascar’s theatrical traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is also a part. Growing Bird of Paradise Plants from Seed Bird of Paradise seeds must be sown while they are fresh, so plant them as soon as possible after harvesting Soak your seeds in room temperature water for 3-4 days prior to planting (Be sure to change the water daily!) Backfill with soil and water thoroughly, until liquid drains out the bottom. Blooms last for about a week. The average maximum daily temperature in the Highveld region (the eastern plateau) is 26 °C, which is considerably more pleasant than that of the north-western deserts. This generally works only for the smaller S. reginae. If your plant is growing in a pot, it’s easy to move it indoors when you see a freeze warning in the forecast for your area. If you’re lucky enough to be growing one of these beauties in your yard or garden, you might be wondering how to best care for it during the winter. Bird of paradise can be grown indoors in areas where the temperature drops below 50 degrees F. Plant in a container and bring inside during the winter months. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2993162440861364"; Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Floralife has expanded the Flower Care and Handling section of our website to offer a … //-->, Copyright 2010-2018 BalconyContainerGardening.com, Garden Pests                     Â, Public Gardens                  Â, Plants for Shade                Â, Balcony Birds                    Â, How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise in Containers. Thrives in hot, dry areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Start with nice, chunky bark mulch spread over the rhizome area, and then add leaves and straw to finish off the thick layer of warmth your precious Strelitzia will need in order to survive the winter. S. reginae can grow up to six feet tall and three feet wide, so keep this in mind when you purchase a container. The very lowest temperature that Strelitzia plants can handle is 24°F for just a short amount of time, according to Sydney Park Brown and Robert J. Even better, you may want to choose from our … A temperature of 10-13°C at night and 20-22° C during the day is ideal for early and uniform flowering; while at a temperature higher than above 27° C tend to promote leaf production and inhibit flowering. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, scales and snails may find their way to your bird of paradise. Search. Bird of paradise flowering shrub is ideal for garden and landscape beds and borders or container plantings. But not like that. In the meantime, check out these articles on overwintering your carefully cultivated flowers next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. They usually bloom with unique flowers in winter or early spring. Gently compress the nursery pot to loosen the edges of the plant. The bird of paradise plant can do well all year long in sunny and warm states such as Florida and California. Live Help. And so are you! What Happens to Bird of Paradise Plants in Cold Weather? Close X. Then, mark a 10-inch radius around the plant. 4 Hawaiian Orange Bird Of Paradise Plants 4" Pot Grow Hawaii GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: Plant in a mixture of sandy loam. The bird of paradise should flower twice a year or more once it is mature. When you see that the surface soil is dry, wait a day or two, and then water again. Propagation: Buy an established bird of paradise plant from your garden center, and propagate by dividing its rhizome during repotting. Any temperature below 32°F can injure flowers and developing buds. If you live in Zones 8 or 9, consider planting your bird of paradise in a container the moment you bring it home from the nursery. Voila!