Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Tropical Bird of Paradise (Multi)
Tropical Bird of Paradise (Multi) has several stems grown together in one container, so it starts out as a fuller clump. It has the same stiff paddle leaves and orange and blue flowers, which come mostly in the cooler months. The clump reaches about 4 to 6 feet tall in a shaded bed or large pot. Plant it with afternoon shade, water it regularly and protect it from frost.
Best for: a full clump in a shaded entry or courtyard, large patio pots, and a shaded poolside bed.
Because several stems grow together, it looks like a filled-in clump sooner. Set it on the north or east side, or under a covered edge, out of afternoon sun.
A multi-stem plant fills a large pot on a shaded patio. On freezing nights, move the pot under a roof.
It drops almost no litter, so it is popular beside pools. Choose a poolside spot that gets shade after noon.
Full sun in the low desert scorches the leaves and can kill it. Frost around 28°F damages it, and the hottest stretches of summer are hard on it.
- Plant to plant4 ft apart
In the low desert, give it part to full shade, especially in the afternoon. The north or east side of the house works. Full sun scorches the leaves.
Water regularly through summer and lightly in winter. Let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings, and do not keep it soggy.
Frost damages it at about 28°F. Plant it under an overhang, or cover it on freezing nights with frost cloth or a sheet, not plastic. Remove the cover in the morning.
Feed it through the warm months to help it bloom. Cut off spent flowers and dead or damaged leaves to keep it tidy.
Dig and divide crowded clumps every few years to make new plants.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What does multi mean on a bird of paradise?
Several stems are grown together in one container, so the plant starts as a fuller clump than a single stem. Care for it the same way as a single plant.
Can bird of paradise take full sun in Phoenix?
No. In the low desert, full sun scorches the leaves and can kill the plant. Give it part to full shade, especially in the afternoon, on the north or east side.
When does bird of paradise bloom in Arizona?
It blooms mostly in the cooler months, from late fall through winter into spring, with fewer flowers here than in coastal climates. Keep it shaded and fed through the warm months to get the most flowers.
Why is my bird of paradise not blooming?
Young plants take several years in the ground before they bloom. Too much sun also sets it back. Keep it shaded and fed through the warm months.
How often should I water bird of paradise?
Water it regularly in summer and lightly in winter. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, and plant it in soil that drains.
How cold hardy is bird of paradise?
Frost damages it at about 28°F. Plant it under an overhang, cover it on freezing nights, or move pots under a roof.
How big does bird of paradise get?
It grows slowly to moderately into a clump about 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Leave it that much room beside walks and walls.
Is bird of paradise good by a pool?
Yes, in a shaded spot. It drops almost no litter, which makes it a common poolside plant, so pick a pool bed that gets afternoon shade.
How do I keep bird of paradise looking good?
Cut off spent flowers as they fade, and remove dead or damaged leaves, especially after a hard cold snap or heat wave.
Is bird of paradise toxic to pets?
It is mildly toxic to pets. It can cause nausea, vomiting and drowsiness in dogs, cats and horses, mostly from the fruit and seeds, so keep pets from chewing it.
Can I split a multi-stem bird of paradise?
Yes. Clumps can be dug and divided to make more plants. Crowded clumps can be divided every few years.
Tropical Bird of Paradise (Multi) for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Tropical Bird of Paradise (Multi) starts as several stems in one pot, so the clump looks full sooner. Care is the same as any bird of paradise in the Valley, with shade, steady water and frost cover. Below is what to expect, from placement and pots to bloom time, dividing and cold.
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Multi-stem bird of paradise
A multi-stem plant has several stems grown together in one pot, so it looks like a full clump sooner. Care is the same as a single plant.
Where to plant bird of paradise in Phoenix
Give it part to full shade, especially in the afternoon, on the north or east side. Full sun in the low desert scorches the leaves.
When does bird of paradise bloom in the Valley?
It blooms mostly in the cooler months, from late fall into spring. Young plants take several years in the ground before they bloom well.
Bird of paradise frost care
Frost damages it at about 28°F. Keep it under an overhang, cover it on freezing nights, or move pots under a roof.
Dividing a bird of paradise clump
Dig and divide crowded clumps every few years. Each division can be planted as a new clump.
Bird of paradise in a pot
It does well in a large pot on a shaded patio. The pot can move under cover when frost is coming.
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