Should I Prune My White Bird Of Paradise?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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White bird of paradise

needs little pruning

but can benefit from some attention to improve its appearance and keep it healthy. White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) is a lesser-known variety of the typical bird of paradise flower.

How often should you prune birds of paradise?

Tend to Red varieties in the early spring and midsummer.

Depending on the level of growth throughout the spring and summer, trim the flowers again in the middle of summer. Red Bird of Paradise flowers are very hardy and can handle heavy pruning

two times per year

if the plant is healthy.

How do you take care of a white bird of paradise plant?

of Paradise enjoy

moist (but not soggy) soil

, and being allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Try not to let the soil dry completely through the pot, but also avoid overwatering. Allow the top 2′′ – 3′′ of the soil to become dry between waterings, but below that should remain moist.

How do you trim bird of paradise leaves?

  1. Grasp the top of the dried, tan dead leaf with one hand and trace it down the stem to its point of origin at the base of the plant. …
  2. Cut the dead leaf off with a bypass/hand pruners. …
  3. Discard the dead leaf into the compost pile or rubbish bin.

Can you cut back white bird of paradise?

Bird of paradise can be

cleaned up and trimmed at any point

, but serious pruning should wait until early spring. The goals of bird of paradise pruning are to remove old plant matter, thin the leaves, and take out damaged stems. … It's not just their sheer size and impressive foliage but the plant's namesake blooms.

How tall does a white bird of paradise get?

White Bird-of-Paradise is most often planted for its large, banana-like leaves and upright, clumping stalks which give an exotic feel to the landscape (Fig. 1). Plants can reach

20 to 30 feet in height with a spread of 10 feet

though they are often seen much smaller.

Does white bird of paradise spread?

When grown indoors, White Bird Of Paradise can be expected to grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a

spread of 10 feet

. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

What month does bird of paradise bloom?

By the end of September of October, you will see the first buds appear, and by

mid-December

, you should have your first bloom. This can be achieved with both the Orange and Giant White Bird of Paradise – we've successfully gotten both to bloom, in a pot, indoors, during the winter.

Do birds of paradise like full sun?

Give bird of paradise a

spot in full sun for best growth and most flowers

. The exception to that is in the hottest regions, where partial shade protects plants from strong sun and heat. Plants in full sun tend to be shorter with smaller flowers, while part-shade plants grow taller with larger flowers.

What is the best fertilizer for birds of paradise?

For best growth and flowering, bird-of-paradise requires fertilization. Organic fertilizers (such as sewage sludge, manure, or blood meal), granular landscape fertilizers, or

controlled-release materials such as Osmocote® or Nutricote®

can be used.

Does bird of paradise like coffee grounds?


You can use ground coffee for bird of paradise but it's not advised

, unless you do it very sparingly. Fertilizing a bird of paradise plant with coffee grounds can be beneficial but coffee can damage the plant in multiple ways.

How do I get my white bird of paradise to bloom?

One of the most common reasons bird of paradise blooms fail to flower is insufficient light. These plants require

at least four to six hours of full sun

(or bright light indoors) in order to bloom sufficiently. They should also be kept evenly moist throughout summer but need to dry out between watering.

Why are my birds of paradise leaves curling?

New plants need plenty of water at establishment or their newer leaves will curl in protest. Chilly temperatures tend to make the leaves curl inward as protection.

Poor soil and improper soil pH

will also present as curling leaves on bird of paradise.

How often do Bird of Paradise grow new leaves?

The speed of Bird of Paradise growth in good conditions can be seen with

roughly one new leaf each month during

the growing seasons.

Why do birds of paradise turn brown?

The reason behind the brown edges on Bird of Paradise is

most often related to water

. Underwatering dehydrates your plant. And if you use water that doesn't suit your plant (water with too much salt or chlorine, for example), it can grow unhappy and develop brown edges on the leaves.

How long do Bird of Paradise flowers last?

If kept in ideal conditions, a Bird of Paradise will take

three to four years

before they bloom. Once they do bloom, if you disturb the roots in any way, such as by repotting the plant, the plant may not bloom again for two to three years.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.