Do you have a potted bird of paradise and are wondering how to help it bloom or rebloom? Would you like more information on the care for this beautiful exotic plant? Want to know how to repot it?
I will help you.
As a florist and someone who has numerous plants at home, I often find myself looking to deepen my knowledge about a plant in order to provide it with the best possible living conditions and promote its growth.
Today, I’m excited to share with you everything I’ve learned through my work and personal experiences about the bird of paradise, a plant that I particularly love.
To make it bloom, place your bird of paradise in a sunny, well-lit spot. If you live in a region where it doesn’t freeze, you can even plant it in your garden. Then, water it frequently in the summer, almost every day, and space out the waterings in the winter. As soon as you see flower buds appear in the spring, give it plenty of water. Keep in mind that young plants don’t bloom every year: you’ll need to wait a few years before enjoying an abundant display of flowers!
Curious to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- Essential tips for making your bird of paradise thrive
- Maintenance tips tailored for this plant (watering, light requirements)
- How and when to repot it
- A stunning variety of blue bird of paradise
- A selection of flowering exotic plants for your home
How to Make a Bird of Paradise Bloom?
This beautiful plant is what we call a “faux houseplant“: this means that it is originally an outdoor plant, but it can be kept indoors if you take care of it, especially during its blooming period.
In the following lines, you will discover how to care for your bird of paradise to see it adorned with its distinctive flowers!
Where to Keep It?
This tropical plant thrives in an environment similar to its natural habitat. If you live in a region where it doesn’t freeze, you can plant it in your garden: in fact, it will be happiest there, as it loves plenty of sunlight.
If you have a potted bird of paradise plant, it will thrive when stored in a cool, sunny room during winter. Ideally, this would be a sunroom that stays above freezing, around 33 to 41°F. Make sure to ventilate this space on nice winter days to prevent the growth of fungi and mold.
In the summer, you can put it directly outside to soak up the sun and grow. If you prefer to keep it indoors, place it in a very bright spot in your home.
⚠️ If you place your plant behind your window, consider using sheer curtains to protect the leaves from sunburn.
How to Water It?
☀️ In the summer, water your bird of paradise generously and regularly: the potting soil should always be moist!
❄️ Starting in October, cut back on watering to about once a week, or even less as winter sets in. Resume regular watering when you see flower buds appearing, to provide them with the necessary moisture for growth.
When Does It Bloom?
The bird of paradise is a long-lasting plant: you can easily enjoy it for over ten years in a pot! While young plants rarely bloom, mature specimens can flower twice a year: in late spring and possibly in early autumn. Blooming can last from two to three months, depending on the strength of the plant.
How to Help It Thrive?
The key is to provide the right living conditions that encourage growth, so be sure to follow the guidelines mentioned earlier. However, to give it a little extra boost, you can apply a complete fertilizer such as NPK 10-10-10 twice a month from March to August.
💁🏻 This type of fertilizer is readily available at garden centers. Don’t hesitate to ask the sales staff for advice on the dosing, as getting it wrong could be detrimental to your plant!
How to Plant a Strelitzia reginae or Bird of Paradise?
Do you live in a tropical or Mediterranean region? Great news: you can plant your bird of paradise directly in the ground!
To do this, plant it in a well-drained soil, in a very sunny location. Water it every two days during the summer of the first year, and then you can space out the watering in the following years.
How to Repot a Bird of Paradise Plant?
Before repotting a plant, it’s important to pay attention to the signs that indicate it is root-bound. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it’s time to repot:
- Has it been more than two years since you repotted your bird of paradise?
- Are there any roots sticking out of the pot?
- Does the root ball come out of the pot easily? If so, do you see the roots wrapping around it?
- Does your plant seem too large for the size of its pot?
👉 If possible, repotting should be done at the beginning of spring, just before your plant enters its growth phase!
Have you noticed that it’s time to repot your plant? If so, here’s how to do it:
➡️ Choose a pot with a drainage hole that is 3 to 5 cm larger in diameter than the previous one,
➡️ Place a layer of about 2 inches of clay balls or small stones at the bottom. This will prevent the roots from sitting in water and rotting.
➡️ Place your bird of paradise in a well-draining mix of potting soil and compost (if you have it),
➡️ Water it, and place it in a suitable location!
Another Spectacular Variety of Bird of Paradise: Strelitzia Nicolai
Unlike the classic bird of paradise (the famous strelitzia reginae), which has orange and blue flowers, the strelitzia nicolaï will provide you with stunning flowers in a variety of blue shades.
It is also larger: it can reach heights of up to 26 feet in the ground, compared to just 8 feet when in a pot, and can spread out over more than 3 feet in width.
It requires the same care as the strelitzia reginae, but is rarer and more unique!
Other Flowering Exotic Plants for Your Home
Do you love exotic plants? Would you like to bring a vacation vibe to your home decor by adding tropical flowering plants?
I’ve put together a small selection of exotic varieties that adapt well to the interiors of our homes and display stunning flowers in vibrant colors:
🔸 Aechmea
This is a colorful plant that is easy to care for indoors, hardy, and low-maintenance. Perfect for beginners!
🔸 Anthurium
These beautiful plants are loved for their large, colorful flowers that bloom all year round!
Easy to grow, this plant native to South America produces beautiful orange flowers!
These plants that grow in tropical forests produce elongated flowers in yellow, white, red, or pink. They thrive in a humid environment.
Blooming for at least six months each year, these orchids are the easiest to grow indoors. Check out our article on orchid care to learn more!
This is a small shrub with remarkable foliage that produces spikes of yellow flowers. It thrives in humid conditions and is sensitive to drafts!
These are orchids that thrive in soil and can adapt to varying temperatures: they are perfect for porches!
This plant, known for its air-purifying qualities, produces delicate white flowers throughout the entire year. It’s an easy-care plant, making it a great choice for beginners!
Guzmania / Phalaenopsis Orchid / Peace Lily
Now you know everything there is to know to enjoy a stunning bloom of bird of paradise at home, and maybe even other tropical flowering plants! 🌴
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