Bird of Paradise & Frost Damage

Know the Plant Growth First

• To help your bird of paradise plant cope with frost damage, it is important first to understand the full growth pattern of the plant. Then, when all danger of further frost is past, pick up your pruning shears and carefully cut off any parts of the plant that are dead or dried up. The plant may appear to have perished, but it will surprisingly come back to life the next summer.

Plant Will Recover

• Even if you don't prune off the dead leaves, the plant will likely recover on its own. But your garden will look much better with the dead leaves gone. If you are not sure what should be taken away and what should be left, let the plant start to regrow itself in the spring of the year and carefully observe it. After the pruning, try to ensure that the plant gets as much sunshine as possible.

Varieties of Plant

• The wonderful orange and blue flower of the bird of paradise plant is most commonly seen in gardens in the United States, especially in the sunny states right through to USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The giant bird of paradise, or white bird of paradise, is seen less often because it does not handle the occasional cold night as well.

Growing Birds of Paradise

• To grow birds of paradise, secure sufficient space and make sure that the roots are not in wet soil. Add fertilizer during the early months and stay on the lookout for scale insects. You can divide the plant by dividing clumps of it. It can be grown from seed, but that is a very slow process.