White Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant, native to southern Africa, known for its larger-than-life size, lush foliage, and unique flowers. from your plants. How to Prune a Bird of Paradise Plant. How to care for Bird of Paradise indoors: –> High light is the key. This flowering plant likes to be in bright light, as long as it is in indirect light. Literally. Is bird of paradise cold hardy? Did you know that the bird of paradise is named after real life royalty? The bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) is a plant of tropical origin, specifically from Baja California (the Mexican state).It is visually striking and well-known for its distinctive orange sepals and blue petals which give the plant its name. Bird of paradise is an evergreen flowering perennial native to Southern Africa. 1. It’s scientific name comes from Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen consort and wife of King George III. Transfer the orange bird of paradise from the growing container to a pot about the same size or slightly larger. Give the Bird Of Paradise as much natural light as you can – it needs this for foliage & flower production. The heat from the sun could burn or scald new leaves and growth. You’ll have to keep yours near a window or you won’t see much growth. 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. Leaves grow off the stem to create a fan. To avoid wet feet, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Use organic materials such as wood chips, bark, leaves and pine needles. They are quite popular in dry southwestern states, including Arizona and New Mexico. In doing so, they eliminate the risk of being snapped in half by a strong wind. It’s a tropical plant that botanically goes by Strelitzia Nicolai . You can also find it under another common name, i.e. They have evolved to create splits along their lateral leaf seams to allow the wind to pass by. Just make sure to keep a mulch-free zone of around 2-3 inches (5-7 cm.) This evergreen perennial is grown worldwide for its impressive foliage and flowers. ABOUT THE PLANT- It is an amazing flowering plant with one of the most beautiful flowers that show up. This is because it looks like the beak of certain birds, also the reason it is sometimes known as the crane flower. These beautiful indoor plants are not currently in bloom, and can take up to 6 years to produce spectacular bright orange and midnight blue flowers that look a little like the head of a colourful crane commonly known as 'Bird of Paradise' Over time with nurture and care this will grow into a beautiful large indoor plant. You can grow this plant in a garden or near a poolside. Dubbed the queen of houseplants, the bird of paradise is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the world of indoor plants. Bird of Paradise plants are often confused with banana plants, but while bananas have a spiral leaf growth pattern, Bird of Paradise plants have an alternate leaf growth pattern. 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. So, it’s suitable to decorate any house, even for people who don’t have green fingers. Bird of Paradise Care. These towering beauties need around 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. Be sure to rotate your plant (unless it gets light from all sides) so it grows evenly. The Bird of Paradise flower is brightly colored with spiky-looking blooms that are eye catching and exciting in any garden. It's a large plant that takes up quite a bit of space, so space your plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart if you’re planting outdoors. A giant bird of paradise, also known as a gray or white bird of paradise, does not contain branches. The flowers of the plant resemble the head of a bright tropical bird, hence the name. An indoor Bird of Paradise is a slow growing plant with large paddle- shaped leaves that resemble those of a banana plant. However, if you want to grow flowers on the plant then you need to plant it outdoors. How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise in Containers. The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a colorful tropical plant that grows best in warm, humid conditions, but it's surprisingly hardy in lower temperature ranges. Lighting That Bird of Paradise Plant Loves. Bird of paradise plants won’t tolerate oversaturated soil, so you’ll need to take care with your watering. Bird of paradise is widely grown in warm and tropical areas, but can be grown indoors in cooler climates. 1. If kept indoors, east and west facing windows work best for this plant. The bird of paradise is an herbaceous plant native to South Africa and, contrary to what you might imagine, it’s quite easy to take care of. Bird of paradise needs very light shade when growing outdoors. Bird of Paradise plant care is demanding when it comes to lighting, which is why this species can sometimes be tricky to keep indoors. What makes the Mexican Bird of Paradise such a right fit in your garden is that it is easy to grow, doesn’t require much care, and has a moderate to slow growth rate. There’s something tropical and exotic about the upright stalks, the banana-shaped leaves, and the unique flowers that look like a crane. Bird of Paradise in Pot Care. Birds of Paradise are a tropical plant that absolutely loves sunlight. It’s found growing alongside sidewalks and the streets, by the sea, poolside, in parking strips, in container plantings as well as in lots and l… Leaves are oar-shaped, with paddles up to 3’ long, and the flowers look like a black “boat” with a “sail” of long, spike-like white and purple petals. Not to be confused with the Traveler’s Palm, this plant can reach a height of 25 feet and a width of at least 6 feet. During the winter months, the plant will go semi-dormant, and less frequent watering is required. Advertisement. The bird of paradise plant is very popular in outdoor landscape decorating because it requires a large space in order to mature in its maximum size. What to Feed Bird of Paradise Plants. Depending on the variety you have and the level of care you give it, bird of paradise can grow to be 5 ft (1.5 m ) tall. Keep in mind that if you take care of it properly, it can grow up to 6 1/2 feet, so you should think very carefully about where you’re going to put it. AJ Attia . Give this plant a minimal 5 hours of full sunlight per day. 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. Light Requirement. Fertilize every three weeks with one of the high-phosphorus blooming plant foods during the growing season. Any bird of paradise plant, when planted in your garden, will benefit from a 2- to 3-inch deep (5-7 cm.) What you need to know about bird of paradise Name: bird of paradise, strelitzia , crane flower, bird’s tongue flower (Strelitzia reginae) Plant type: evergreen, forms a trunkless clump Height: to around 1.2m tall by 2–3m wide with age Foliage: similar to a small banana leaf but on a stem, very rigid, green to grey-blue. Even though this scientific name isn’t common to most gardening hobbyists, it has long-existed for over 3 decades and is so often labeled the ” White Bird of Paradise ” plant. The flowers appear after few years of growth. The Queen of Houseplants. You’ll have to move it indoors each winter, of course. The Bird of Paradise plant, or strelitzia, is a large and gorgeous foliage plant that looks just as majestic indoors in a pot, as it does outside in the garden. Birds of Paradise is a tough plant that can withstand winds, so direct sunlight is more important than finding a non-drafty location. Grow bird of paradise in a container with drainage holes and a freely draining potting mix for houseplants. Bird of Paradise Plant Care Credit: Léon & George How to Water Bird of Paradise Plants. Bird of Paradise plants need regular watering during the spring and summer growing season. Bird of paradise plant care is relatively simple, making the plant a good choice for indoor gardeners without much experience or time. Bird of Paradise Plant Care & Growing Guide 1. This sounds tricky to achieve but actually, it’s quite simple as long as your pot has drainage. Most varieties are suitable for USDA zones 10 to 12 and sometimes zone 9 with protection. The care factors for growing the white bird of paradise plant whether indoors or outdoors are similar. Routine Maintenance PRO TIP: In the winter months when less sunlight is available due to the elliptical orbit of the sun, Birds of Paradise go through a “resting” period and require less water. Bird Of Paradise Care: How To Grow And Care For Bird Of Paradise Plants. Queen charlotte was an amateur botanist with a fondness for Kew Gardens, one of the greatest and most diverse collection of plants on earth. The Bird of Paradise is one such plant with stunning attributes you’d hardly find in other houseplants. layer of mulch. It can receive some direct light, usually in the morning or the evening. It easily catches the attention of the viewer. The bird of paradise or Strelitzia reginae is a flowering plant native to South Africa. Bird of Paradise Plant Care: In Southern California this plant, with its bright, bold and easily recognizable flowers, is ubiquitous. BOTANICAL NAME – Strelitzia COMMON NAME – Bird of Paradise A native of Northern Mexico, Caesalpinia Mexicana cuts a fine figure with its feathery green leaves and yellow flowers that grow on spikes. Part 2 of 3: Caring for Bird of Paradise. Birds of paradise are tropical plants, thus full sun and light shade sooth them. Also known as pride of Barbados or peacock flower, this is a popular shrub for tall hedges and screens in warm climates—zones 9 and higher. Now that we got to know this gorgeous lady, let us get familiar with all the important information on how to take care of Bird of Paradise plant. Keep the soil evenly moist. The bird of paradise needs to be trimmed to remove any clumps from the base of the plant and to remove invasive leaves and flower blooms. It should not be exposed to direct light during the hottest part of the day. The Strelitzia nicolai, the White Bird of Paradise or Giant Bird of Paradise, is an exotic plant that has more of the characteristics of a palm than it does a flowering plant. Red bird of paradise is extremely tough, easy to care for, and affordable. They like their soil to be consistently moist, but dislike their roots stagnating in water. A few hours of direct sunshine in the morning is even better. crane flower. This plant loves crowds and a little root restriction will encourage blooming. All care instructions are the same for indoor birds of paradise, although mulching is not required. It is important to situate the plant in a suitable local at planting for best bird of paradise winter care. Since these plants thrive in USDA zones 9 through 12, that is exactly what they get when they grow outside. The plant produces stems that grow in a clump. Even indoors, a Bird of Paradise plant can easily reach a height of 6ft-7ft. However, keeping the bird of paradise plant indoor has become more popular in the last 30 years, and the care for it is most essential. This plant produces multiple large, leathery leaves sometimes 3ft or more in length.