The Bird of Paradise is a popular tropical plant known for its unique and exotic flowers. With large, vibrant blooms and big, broad leaves, it’s easy to see why the Bird of Paradise makes such a dramatic statement in indoor and outdoor spaces.
If you’re considering adding a Bird of Paradise to your home or garden, you’re probably wondering – how long will it take to reach maturity and flower? Here, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the growth rate and flowering time for this stunning plant.
Bird of Paradise Growth Stages
Like most plants, the Bird of Paradise goes through a few different growth phases before reaching full maturity. Here are the basic stages of growth for a Bird of Paradise plant:
Seedling Stage
From seed, it takes 3-4 weeks for the first shoots to emerge. Seedlings will have small, rounded green leaves. Proper care is needed at this delicate stage to ensure the seedling establishes itself.
Juvenile Stage
The juvenile stage lasts from 4 weeks until about 1 year old. This is when the plant puts on significant growth but is not mature enough to flower. You’ll see the leaves transform from round to the iconic split leaf shape.
Mature Vegetative Stage
At 1-3 years old, the Bird of Paradise enters its mature vegetative stage. Growth begins to slow at this point, and the plant focuses its energy on growing larger and bushier rather than rapidly gaining height.
Flowering Stage
Finally, at approximately 3-5 years old, the plant will have stored enough energy to begin flowering. This is considered the mature, flowering stage. Now is when you’ll get to see those iconic blooms!
When Will a Bird of Paradise Bloom?
You’ve probably noticed a wide range mentioned above for when a Bird of Paradise will bloom – generally between 3-5 years. Why such a broad timeframe?
Several factors impact how long it takes for a Bird of Paradise plant to produce flowers, including:
Growing Conditions
Ideal growing conditions will encourage faster maturity and flowering. This includes:
- Bright, direct light
- Consistently warm temperatures (65-85°F)
- High humidity
- Rich, well-draining soil
Plants grown in less than ideal conditions will take longer to flower.
Plant Variety
There are several different varieties of Bird of Paradise plants, which have slightly different growth habits and time to flower:
| Variety | Time to Flower |
|---|---|
| White Bird of Paradise | 4-5 years |
| Orange Bird of Paradise | 3-4 years |
| Giant Bird of Paradise | 5-8 years |
As you can see, the Orange Bird generally flowers faster than the White, while the Giant bird takes significantly longer.
Plant Health & Maturity
A strong, healthy, mature plant will bloom faster than one that is stressed, damaged, or young. Ensure your plant gets the proper care and allow it to reach maturity before expecting flowers.
Time of Year
Bird of Paradise plants bloom on their own schedule, not according to a specific season. However, you may notice more prolific flowering during the warmer, brighter months of summer and fall in their native tropical climate.
Caring for a Bird of Paradise
To encourage your Bird of Paradise to grow and flower as quickly as possible, be sure you’re giving it the care it needs! Here are some tips:
Potting
Use a high quality, well-draining potting mix. Add perlite or bark to improve drainage. Re-pot every 2-3 years in early spring as needed.
Sunlight
Place the plant in a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. A south or west facing window is ideal. Rotate the pot regularly for even sun exposure.
Temperature
Bird of Paradise thrives in warm conditions between 65-85°F during the day and 60-70°F at night. Avoid cold drafts.
Watering
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, then soak thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Take care not to over-water, as the plant is prone to root rot.
Humidity
Mist the plant daily or use a pebble tray to boost humidity around the plant. The ideal range is 40-60% humidity.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer.
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged leaves and flower stalks regularly to encourage new growth.
Signs Your Bird of Paradise is Ready to Bloom
Bird of Paradise plants give clues when they’re gearing up to produce flowers. Watch for these signs:
- The plant has reached maturity (around 3 feet tall)
- You see a swelling at the base of the plant, called the floral bract
- Fewer new leaves are forming
- The plant seems to pause vegetative growth
Once you notice these signals, blooms should emerge within several weeks if conditions are right.
Caring for a Blooming Bird of Paradise
Once your Bird of Paradise finally flowers, you’ll want to keep it looking its best! Follow these tips:
- Keep up with watering and humidity
- Continue fertilizing every 2-4 weeks
- Remove spent blooms to encourage reblooming
- Consider moving the plant outdoors in summer
- Provide support for the tall bloom stalks
Troubleshooting Lack of Flowers
What if your Bird of Paradise simply refuses to bloom, even after several years of growth? Here are some common issues that could be preventing flowers:
Age
Double check that your plant is at least 3-5 years old. It needs sufficient maturity before it will flower.
Growing Conditions
Assess sunlight, temperature, humidity, watering, and soil. suboptimal conditions can inhibit flowering.
Pruning
Avoid excessively pruning the plant, as this diverts energy away from blooms.
Plant Health
Look for signs of disease, pests, or nutrient deficiencies and treat accordingly. Healthy plants bloom best.
Variety
Some Bird of Paradise varieties like the Giant simply take much longer to flower than others.
Season
In some climates, Bird of Paradise may flower more prolifically during warmer months.
Conclusion
While it’s exciting to bring home a new Bird of Paradise plant, be prepared to wait several years before those gorgeous blooms appear. Focus on providing optimal growing conditions, and wait for the plant to mature before expecting flowers.
With the right care, most Bird of Paradise varieties will flower within 3-5 years from seed or 1-2 years from a young purchased plant. But no matter how long it takes, the wait is well worth it when you’re finally rewarded with those unmistakable, vibrant blooms against the lush green foliage!
