With large flowers and leaves reaching 18 inches in length, Bird of Paradise can quickly fill a space with tropical flair.Keep reading to find out how pruning can help your Bird of Paradise, when to do it for best results, and how to effectively use this plant care technique.Native to South Africa, Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant that can grow exceptionally large, even when grown indoors.While many houseplants that you’ve grown likely had dozens of leaves, which they shed regularly, Bird of Paradise is an evergreen plant.Tropical evergreens, including palm trees, tend to have fewer leaves, which typically grow slowly.With fewer leaves overall, each Bird of Paradise leaf plays an essential role in photosynthesis – the process through which plants absorb light to produce energy.While it is always acceptable to trim away a yellowing or damaged leaf, one of the most important factors in undertaking a significant pruning of your Bird of Paradise is to know when it is in its growing season.During this time, the plant absorbs the maximum energy from the sun and channels it into producing new leaves and flowers.As the temperatures begin to cool and the days grow shorter, these plants enter a period called “dormancy,” which is similar to hibernation.Throughout the dormant period, plants will slow their growth, focusing on the health of their roots and storing up nutrients for winter.By taking matters into your own hands, you can help your Bird of Paradise conserve energy that can be channeled into new, vibrant growth.When this happens, these older leaves and stems may appear limp, noticeably drooping compared to the plant’s other stalks.Older leaves can also develop splits and tears and, while these aren’t necessarily fatal for the leaf, they can impact the appearance of your Bird of Paradise.Combined with the height added by the planter, some of your Bird of Paradise leaves may reach the ceiling of your home.Even if your Bird of Paradise hasn’t achieved its full growth potential, you can expect its stems to be firm and possibly resistant to cutting.These shears often have special grips, reinforcement, and angled blades to help cut through stems that might be challenging to detach.While this may seem like overkill, pruning a plant with thick, fibrous stems can increase the risk of cuts or bruises, and it’s best to be cautious.Disinfectant will also be another important tool to use when pruning, since cutting a plant’s stems can introduce bacteria into your Bird of Paradise.Lastly, since pruning may disburse dirt and dead plant matter, you may want to consider using a tarp, plastic bags, or newspaper to cover any surfaces on which you might be working.As with many flowering plants, it can be helpful to remove any blooms that are turning brown or dehydrating from your Bird of Paradise by pruning.Cut the stem of the spent flower as close to the base as possible, using your gloves and sanitized pruning tools.Pruning enables your plant to invest its resources and energy in the form of new growth and will help keep it looking beautiful.With a bit of planning and patience, you can use pruning to keep your plant in beautiful shape, control its size, and encourage healthy growth that will flourish throughout the growing season.
Edward R. Forte
Author