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Will my Bird of Paradise bloom?

Your Bird of Paradise is a striking, stately plant that is sure to give your home a truly tropical vibe–but how do you get it to bloom? It is not common for indoor Bird of Paradise plants to bloom, but it is not impossible. This plant hails from the tropics, where in the wild it receives an incredible amount of sunlight and moisture that isn’t easy to replicate inside the average home. But, if your Bird of Paradise is kept in a sunny spot and you follow a few key tips, you might see a bloom on your Bird of Paradise.

First things first, patience is key!

Your plant needs to be at least 4 or 5 years old before they are capable of producing flowers.

Keep it snug

You must keep your plant’s root growth restricted, and this is done by keeping the plant pot-bound. A common mistake that people make with their Bird of Paradise is to repot them too frequently. 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. It is best to let your Bird of Paradise stay in the same pot. Do not worry if the plant becomes root bound, as these plants perform and grow best when their roots are crowded in the pot.

Find a sunny spot

It needs sun or a brightly lit spot. One of the most common reasons a Bird of Paradise will fail to bloom is that it’s not getting enough light. These plants require at least four to six hours of full sun each day in order to bloom. 

Consistent moisture is key

Your Bird of Paradise should be kept evenly moist throughout summer but it needs to dry out a bit more between waterings in the winter months. Allow 50% of the soil volume to dry before watering your Bird of Paradise

Fertilize

Feed your plant once a month in the spring and summer with a general-purpose fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing in the wintertime as this is when your plant’s growth naturally slows. 

Best of luck! 

We really hope your Bird of Paradise will bloom for you, but understand that it is very unlikely to happen indoors. If your plant does bloom, send us a photo on Instagram. We would love to see!

Need more help?

We're confident your Bird of Paradise will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.