Hardiness zones
Sunset 9, 12-21 (with protection), 22-24
USDA 9 (w/ adequate protection), 10-11
Landscape Use: Entry way accent, shaded poolside plant
Form & Character: Herbaceous perennial, upright, bold and rigid, tropical.
Growth Habit: Moderately basal clumping to 5' in height with a 6' wide spread.
Foliage/Texture: Elongated gray green leathery leaves with a dominate succulent midvein and extended sheathed petiole, leaves tend to show marginal tip necrosis in Phoenix, coarse texture
Flowers & Fruits: Beautiful, multicolor flower with whites, oranges, blues.
Seasonal Color: Flower in fall and winter
Temperature: Intolerant of freezing temperatures and temperatures about 100oF
Light: Partial to full shade is a necessity for sustainable culture of bird of paradise in lower southwest desert landscapes. Likewise, foliar leaf scorch (sunburn) is almost a certainty when grown in full sun.
Soil: Light to heavy, avoid high alkalinity
Watering: Regular
Pruning: Remove spent flowers on a stalk as they senesce
Propagation: Division of basal clumps every 5 years will generate a plethora of young plants.
Disease and pests: Bird of paradise provdes cover for snails and slugs in southern California. In contrast, there are no disease or pest problems in Phoenix.
Additional comments: Bird of paradise is the Los Angeles city flower where it blooms profusely in winter and spring. In Phoenix, because of it's higher shade requirement for sustainable culture, bird of paradise's blooming intensity (both flower number and color intensity) is reduced.
