Can I Plant Bird Of Paradise Outdoors?

The bird of paradise is a tall plant with colorful flowers, adding aesthetics to your garden. If you plan to grow birds of paradise outdoors, remember that it needs a desirable environment with a warm climate and fertile soil.

You can plant a bird of paradise outdoors if you live in USDA zones 9 through 12. It requires fertile soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, a location where it gets 6 hours of sunlight and warm temperatures. While planting the bird of paradise in the garden, ensure each plant is 6 feet apart.

If you plan to grow your bird of paradise outdoors, this article will help you understand the climate requirements, proper soil conditions, and steps to prevent pests and diseases.

Requirements for an outdoor bird of paradise

The bird of paradise is a tropical plant originating in South Africa.

It requires a warm climate and adequate sunlight for healthy growth. 

This plant doesn’t do well in harsh climates, such as extreme cold or heat.

If you take proper care of it, you will enjoy vibrant flowers with a healthy plant.

Let’s discuss the favorable conditions for the growth of birds of paradise.

1. Sunlight

A bird of paradise grows well when it gets ample sunlight exposure.

If you plant it in the shade, its growth will be reduced, and it won’t bloom.

A bird of paradise needs at least 6 hours of sunlight for optimal growth.

But strong, direct sunlight during midday will harm the plant. 

So, plant or place your bird of paradise where it gets optimal sun, but protect it from the harsh afternoon sun by shading it.

If the plant is exposed to intense sunlight, the leaves will start to scorch, and there will be stunted growth.

2. Soil

Well-draining soil, rich in organic matter, is the ideal soil for the bird of paradise.

If the soil is too clayey or heavy, consider adding perlite.

Before planting the bird of paradise, check if the pH of the soil ranges from 6.5 to 7.5.

If the pH range is not ideal, consider treating the soil before you plant the bird of paradise. 

This plant will achieve maximum growth if the soil is rich in organic matter, and you can ensure that by adding compost or mulch.

3. Temperature

The bird of paradise plant requires warm conditions.

It does best at 65-85°F for optimal growth. 

If the temperature is too low, this plant will fail to stay healthy.

What is the best time of year to plant birds of paradise outdoors?

Spring, fall, and early summer are the ideal times of the year to plant birds of paradise outdoors.

It would be best if you do not plant the bird of paradise in extremely hot and cold conditions.

How to choose the right location for the outdoor planting of a bird of paradise?

Choosing the right location is crucial if you want a healthy bird of paradise plant.

1. Choose a spot with enough sunlight

As I mentioned already, a bird of paradise needs 6 hours of sunlight for ideal growth.

Planting the bird of paradise in a shady location will lead to stunted growth.

The stem growth will be weak, and flowers won’t bloom. 

Eventually, the plant can even die.

So while choosing a location, ensure there is enough sunlight.

2. Ensure the soil type suits the plant

The bird of paradise will grow well in the well-drained and fertile soil.

While planting the bird of paradise, check if the soil is rich in organic matter and has a well-draining capacity. 

You can add mulch, compost, and organic manure to increase the soil’s draining capacity.

3. Ensure water availability

While planting the bird of paradise, check if a proper water supply is available.

If you can’t water the plant regularly, you can consistently implement the drip irrigation method to supply water to your outdoor bird of paradise.

Also, ensure the water’s quality is suitable for the plant.

4. Check for proper space for growth

The bird of paradise is a large plant that grows up to 5 feet in width and 5 to 6 feet in height.

While planting, make sure the plant has enough space to grow. 

If there are plants or buildings near the plant, sunlight will get limited, the growth will get affected, and the plant will not have enough space to spread.

5. Climate

While planting the bird of paradise, ensure not to plant it in a spot exposed to the hot direct sun during summer.

Also, make sure the temperature doesn’t go below 64°F.

Proper soil conditions for an outdoor bird of paradise

A bird of paradise can grow in a variety of soil.

The most important thing is that the soil must be slightly acidic, and the Ph must range between 6.5 to 7.5.

The soil you plant the bird of paradise must remain moist but not soggy.

It must have enough air pockets and a well-draining capacity. 

Here are the benefits of having good soil for proper growth:

• Good soil facilitates gas exchange. 
• It locks the nutrients until the plant absorbs them. 
• It creates a favorable environment for the beneficial microorganism to grow. 
• It holds enough water to keep the plant hydrated and drains the excess water.

You can make a potting mix to plant a bird of paradise in your garden.

Here are some ingredients for making the potting mix for your outdoor bird of paradise:

• Pine bark
• Pertile
• Coco coir
• Compost
• Sand
• Pumice
• Rocks
• Vermiculite
• Soil activator

When making the potting mix, you must ensure the soil is balanced and well-draining.

To make the potting mix, mix the following ingredients:

• 1 part pine bark
• 2 parts peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part compost

How to prepare the soil for planting birds of paradise outdoors?

After you decide on the type of soil and proper condition, the next step you want to do is to prepare the soil to plant the bird of paradise. 

Follow the steps below to plant the bird of paradise:

1. The first step is to clean all the debris and rocks from the soil. Use a spade to dig a pit in the soil to disintegrate the soil into small pieces.
2. If you are planting in the soil for the first time, you must loosen the soil. Loosen the soil up to 12 inches for the roots to spread.
3. Fertilize the soil with organic manure. Spread the organic manure up to 2 inches of the soil. Check if the soil is moist or dry. Add the manure or the compost to the soil only when the soil is moist.
4. You don’t want to dig the soil to bury the compost. Spread the manure into the soil, and the worm will dig the soil to make the manure go deep into the soil.
5. You can build a raised bed in your garden if the soil is hard and compact.
6. Warm up the soil by covering it with cardboard so that you can protect the soil from snow, storm, and rain.
7. Now, check if there are weeds in the soil. Remove all the weeds from the soil before planting the bird of paradise. 

Now, you have created a well-draining, fertile soil for the plant to grow.

Transplanting an indoor bird of paradise into outdoor

If you decide to transplant a bird of paradise from indoors to outdoors, don’t do it in winter.

Here are the steps you can follow to transplant birds of paradise from indoors to outdoors successfully.

• Start by identifying the best spot to transplant the bird of paradise. 
• Ensure the place has enough sunlight and a desirable temperature for the plant to grow.
• Check if the soil is fertile with organic materials. Now, start digging the soil in the garden up to 8 inches.
• Remove the plant from the indoor container carefully and soak it in the water until you plant the bird of paradise outdoors.
• Now, plant the bird of paradise in the dug hole, ensure the roots are covered with soil, and seal the pit with the soil.
• Now, water the plant and leave it undisturbed until the soil dries.
• If the soil dries in a week, add water to the plant again after a week. 

Maintenance and care of the outdoor bird of paradise plants

As the bird of paradise is grown for its beautiful vibrant flowers and long leaves, it is crucial to maintain it well for proper nourishment.

• Prune the bird of paradise plant by cutting the dried and old flowers. Once the flowers die out, you can prune those stems.
• If you experience harsh conditions during winter, you must take proper care of the plant by mulching the soil or covering it to protect it from frost.
• If the plant is not growing well in the particular soil or due to improper sunlight exposure, you can relocate the plant to a spot with better conditions. 
• Also, avoid overwatering the plant to prevent the soil from becoming soggy and not allowing the roots to breathe. Don’t water the plant if the soil is wet. Water it only when the soil is almost dry.
• Add fertilizer to the soil to keep a steady supply of nutrients to the plant. A liquid fertilizer will need a more frequent application, while a granular fertilizer will need to be applied less frequently.

Protecting outdoor birds of paradise from pests and diseases

It is common for plants to get infected with pests and diseases in the natural environment.

Follow these tips below to protect your bird of paradise from pests and diseases:

• Using neem oil is a great way to remove and prevent pest infestations. Mix neem oil with water and sprinkle it all over the plant. Remember that you must not apply neem oil to the plant when it is too sunny. 
• You can use insecticidal soaps and sprays. Sprays and soap water must be sprinkled on the plant once a week to prevent pests from attacking. It is an effective treatment to kill varieties of pests. 
• You can also use natural insecticides, Pyrethrin, and diatomaceous earth insecticides to prevent plants from pests. 
• Ensure the plant is doing well because pests are less likely to attack a healthy plant.

Final thoughts

Birds of paradise are tropical plants that come from a warm climate. So, those plants can be grown outdoors, provided the soil is fertile and has at least 6 hours of exposure to sunlight.

You can grow a bird of paradise outdoors only if you live in the USDA zones 9 through 12. Avoid planting the bird of paradise in a spot that gets direct sunlight, especially during hot summers.

Maintaining the right watering schedule is important to keep the plant fresh and alive. Fertilize the plant regularly to maintain a steady supply of nutrients. Use the ingredients mentioned in the article to make the soil fertile. 

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Reference: Wikipedia.

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