Bird of Paradise is a colorful plant with blooms like the plumage of an exotic bird. Truly one-of-a-kind, they are prized for adding a tropical flair to gardens and indoor collections alike. However, this beautiful plant can be slow to bloom unless ideal conditions are met. This can result in plant owners wondering if their plant should be grown indoors or outdoors and how to create the best conditions for growth.
While Bird of Paradise only thrives in the warmest outdoor locations, there are options for creating indoor or partially outdoor environments that any plant lover can replicate. By paying close attention to growing conditions, including light, warmth, and moisture, you can find the best solution for your plant.
Ready to learn more about indoor and outdoor growing strategies for your Bird of Paradise? Check out the information below to understand the ideal growing conditions for your Bird of Paradise and start growing like a pro!
General Bird of Paradise Growing Conditions
Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant native to South Africa. However, like many plants, it can be grown outside of its original habitat, especially when the growing conditions closely match its native environment. For this reason, you may see Bird of Paradise cultivated in parks and gardens in locations such as Hawaii and parts of California and Florida. These regions offer not only high temperatures but also extended sunlight, humidity, and mild winters.
Indoors or Outdoors? What’s Best for a Bird of Paradise
Since the best growing conditions for any plant will closely mirror its native habitat, the ideal location for Bird of Paradise will be one that is continuously warm and humid, with extended periods of bright, direct light.
If you live in an environment where these conditions are met, then it may be ideal for you to grow your Bird of Paradise permanently outside. Doing so will allow your plant to enjoy excellent growing conditions while experiencing the increased nutrient content from outdoor soil and rainwater. Birds of Paradise can achieve maximum growth when rooted outdoors, often fanning out into a hardy bush, spanning over 4 feet in width.
Outside of semi-tropical conditions, it is rare to see the Bird of Paradise grown successfully outdoors since its health depends on continual access to consistent warmth and the right moisture balance. In locations with variable weather, it would be wise to grow your Bird of Paradise inside, though you may temporarily relocate your plant outside during hot and humid summers. This strategy will allow you to control your plant’s environment, minimizing any potential damage due to dry air, lack of moisture, or exposure to cold.
Ideal Indoor Conditions for Bird of Paradise
While you may not be able to turn your home or apartment into a tropical space, you can offer the consistent temperatures and humidity your Bird of Paradise needs to grow and bloom. Below are some of the factors you should consider to offer the best care for your indoor Bird of Paradise.
Light
Most flowering plants require abundant sunlight to sustain their blooms, and Bird of Paradise is no exception. These plants love bright light and can even tolerate direct sunlight on their leaves. Offering bright light for at least five hours a day will help your Bird of Paradise thrive indoors, while offering less may result in a plant that is slow to flower.
Try placing your Bird of Paradise close to a window that receives direct and sustained sunlight, such as a South-facing window. You can also place your Bird of Paradise in warm, all-season rooms or enclosed porches, but be mindful that the temperature remains consistently warm.
What if you live in a space that lacks natural light? Grow lights can provide a great alternative to sunlight. These lights are available in small, affordable varieties and replicate the benefits of the sun’s rays – all while providing minimal heat. I personally prefer the Sansi 15W LED light. If you want to read more about why I love this light, click here.
While grow lights can be a convenient way to provide your plant with the energy it needs, there can be too much of a good thing. Remember to turn off your plant’s light at night (manually or with an outlet timer), so your Bird of Paradise can rest and recover.
Watering
While Bird of Paradise appreciates thorough watering, allowing your plant to sit in soggy soil can result in root rot – a condition that is often fatal for plants.
So, how do you provide a tropical plant with the right amount of water? You let it show you! Instead of watering your Bird of Paradise on a fixed schedule, allow the soil to “tell” you when your plant needs water. Insert a finger into the plant’s container at least once a week. If you notice that the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, it is time to water your plant.
Always water your Bird of Paradise until some water seeps from the bottom of the container. This allows the water you provide to soak into the soil surrounding the roots.
Using these strategies, you should be able to find the right balance of water for your Bird of Paradise without the danger of overwatering. That said, underwatering can become an issue, too. If you notice that the soil in the container is pulling away from the edges of the pot and that your plant is looking limp, you may need to test the soil more frequently for dryness.
Humidity
Humidity is an important consideration for a tropical plant. Even if your Bird of Paradise is consistently watered, maintaining moist air around your plant will support healthy leaves and blooms. The ideal humidity for plant growth is usually around 50%, though tropical plants can comfortably withstand humidity of up to 60%.
If you are uncertain of how to measure the humidity around your plant, consider purchasing a humidity gauge – also called a hygrometer. Often these devices can be placed in the pot with your plant, allowing you to measure the moisture surrounding your Bird of Paradise. If the hygrometer indicates that the humidity is not adequate or you see brown edges on your plant’s leaves, consider adding a humidifier to your space.
While you can purchase many humidifiers at affordable prices, you can also consider misting the air around your Bird of Paradise with clean water once or twice a week. This strategy will introduce additional moisture to the air around the plant. Just be careful not to let water accumulate on the leaves. Standing water can lead to bacterial buildup, which can damage your plant’s leaves and stems.
Soil
Since indoor plants live in confined spaces, it is easy for them to deplete the nutrient content of their soil. Choosing the right potting mix can keep your plant nourished while also helping to maintain moisture balance. Bird of Paradise plants prefer dense, well-draining soil. These soil blends will likely contain clay and sand or silt to help ensure that the soil has structure without trapping water by the roots.
Ideal Outdoor Conditions for Bird of Paradise
While growing a plant outdoors can simplify some steps in the plant care process, you will still have to keep some considerations in mind.
If you want your Bird of Paradise to live outdoors continually, it must be grown in hardiness zones 10-12. This dramatically narrows the locations in which this plant can be grown since hardiness zones are not determined by high temperatures or long summers. Instead, a hardiness zone is an indicator of the lowest temperatures expected in that region, based on a ten-year average.
For example, in a hardiness zone of 10, the coldest minimum temperature would be 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest temperature in a hardiness zone of 12 would be 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Such consistent warmth is unusual in the continental US, and even states such as Texas would not entirely fall within this range.
While Bird of Paradise can survive brief bouts of cold weather, freezing temperatures will damage leaves and blooms, even if only for 1-2 nights. Temperatures at or below 24 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the plant within a matter of hours.
No location with a possibility of freezing temperatures will provide a suitable outdoor location for a Bird of Paradise. Even locations known for their heat may not offer adequate humidity to sustain the plant’s blooms. But just because you don’t live in Southern Florida doesn’t mean your Bird of Paradise can’t enjoy the great outdoors. Using a hybrid strategy of moving your plant outside on hot, sunny days and inside during cold, chilly seasons, you can offer your plant a touch of the tropical, with the consistency of indoor life.
Benefits of Setting Your Indoor Bird of Paradise Outside for the Summer
While some plants struggle with being relocated, Bird of Paradise is hardy enough to be moved to a porch or patio on warm summer days. To accommodate this, consider using a plant caddy to allow you to wheel your plant outdoors without damage to the plant – or your back!
In the summer, most states will receive at least 6 hours of quality sunlight per day, which is enough to meet your plant’s needs. Studies also show that sunlight provides more energy and a broader spectrum of light than many grow lights.
In addition to sunlight, placing your plant outdoors on a hot summer day will likely generate greater access to humidity. However, if this is not the case in your location, you may need to consider misting to protect your plant’s leaves from dehydration.
Bird of Paradise also likes it hot, and while you may not be comfortable with an indoor temperature of 85 degrees, your plant will be thrilled to encounter it outdoors.
Allowing your plant to spend time outdoors can also increase access to rainwater, as well as organic matter, which can improve the nutrient content of your plant’s soil. This natural influx of minerals is generally safer than adding fertilizer and can help your plant stay healthy and vibrant.
Just be careful to bring your plant inside on cool nights and keep an eye on your plant for changes in health. Excessive rain or draught, dryness, or other variables can negatively impact your Bird of Paradise if unchecked.
How to Transition Your Houseplant to the Outdoors
Part of the survival strategy of any plant is to become accustomed to its surroundings. With time, they adjust to the light and humidity of their space and regulate themselves accordingly. So, even if moving your Bird of Paradise outside has benefits, you should ease into the transition carefully.
Sudden changes to a plant’s environment can lead to “shock,” which results in limpness, slowed growth, and possible leaf loss until the plant has adjusted. In the case of an outdoor relocation, you can prevent this by slowly increasing your plant’s exposure to the outdoors.
First, consider moving your plant closer to a bright window or a sunnier spot within your home. Then, after several days, you may want to move your Bird of Paradise to a shady location outside. After another few days have passed, move the plant to a partially sunny location before finally settling your plant into full sun.
Keep in mind that the sun is not the only aspect of nature to which your plant will be exposed while outside. Plants that are left outside for extended periods in the summer can develop insect issues. And while this can be unpleasant for you, it can be harmful to your plant.
These pests can damage plants, eating unsightly holes in the leaves and discoloring leaves and stems. Insects, like mealybugs and scale, can build homes inside unfurled leaves and may leave behind residue that keeps those leaves stuck in place.
Natural, horticultural oils can be used to repel insects without harming wildlife and should be considered before relocating your plant outside.
The Best Light and Location for Your Houseplant This Summer
First of all, remember that acclimating your Bird of Paradise to the outdoor sun will be necessary for its success, regardless of the location you choose. However, it’s also important to remember that all door locations do not provide equal sun. For example, your South-facing deck may provide more sunlight than a North-facing porch.
Does that mean you shouldn’t move your plant outside? Not at all! But keep in mind that your Bird of Paradise will need five hours of sunlight, so choose your location wisely.
Seek out locations facing South, as they tend to get the most natural light. Outdoor locations on the West side of your home will also get strong afternoon sun, which can be beneficial for your Bird of Paradise. Look for any obstructions, like trees that might block the sun. If possible, position your plant so nothing is blocking the path of the sun.
Lastly, if your Bird of Paradise will be receiving sunlight primarily from one direction, consider periodically rotating your plant. This will help the plant absorb equal sun exposure on all sides and help prevent the plant from leaning in the sun’s direction.
Keep in Mind: Water Adjustments May Be Needed
Even if you are using the watering strategy of inserting your finger into your plant’s soil to test for moisture, you have probably developed a sense of your plant’s basic water needs. As a result, you may feel confident knowing when to water and how much is required to saturate the roots.
Relocating your plant outdoors will dramatically change its water requirements. Exposure to intense sun, rain, and humidity may mean that your Bird of Paradise’s watering needs will vary from week to week. While testing the soil for moisture is always a safe strategy, when your plant is outside, it will be more important than ever to pay close attention to its changing needs.
Another word of caution – if your summer is shaping up to be rainy, you may want to bring your plant indoors. While plants that are permanently rooted outside can usually withstand persistent rain, a potted plant is trapped in its container. Too much rain is no different than any other kind of overwatering. Never let your Bird of Paradise sit in muddy soil – it would be much safer to keep your plant indoors until the wet weather passes.
Final Thoughts
Providing your plant with time outdoors can be a great way to increase its exposure to light and nutrients, helping your Bird of Paradise achieve its full potential. But one danger of placing a plant outdoors can be found in the saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” While the needs of your Bird of Paradise will change once it’s moved outside, it will still have needs. And it will likely grow more healthily inside than forgotten in your yard.
Consider your plant’s outdoor time to be a supplement to its care routine. Don’t forget to examine your plant regularly for evidence of dryness or overwatering and investigate leaves for signs of insect infestation. You may need to relocate your plant to a brighter location or take other steps to improve the quality and safety of its outdoor experience. With proper care and attention, your plant will end its growing season in excellent shape, filled with new growth, precious energy, and beautiful blooms.