How to Care for Bird of Paradise Plants After a Hard Freeze

The bird of paradise might sound very tropical, but it is surprisingly hardy in colder climate zones. Belonging to the genus Strelitzia, this relative of the banana and heliconia produces exotic orange and purple flowers that resemble birds. Although a hard freeze will damage foliage, the plant often survives winter cold snaps into the mid-20s Fahrenheit, sending up new growth from the root system when the weather warms up in spring. Provide protection for your plant if you live in an area with frequent hard freezes, because the bird of paradise can die if it’s exposed to repeated freezes.

Clippers or loppers
Mulch
Saw

Instructions

- 1
  Prune off damaged foliage after the threat of winter freezes has passed, because the dead foliage will help to protect the remainder of the plant from future hard freezes.
- 2
  Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch on the soil surrounding your bird of paradise to protect the root system from hard freezes such as the one that damaged the foliage. These plants often return from the roots in spring if you keep the soil warm.
- 3
  Cut all damaged foliage back to the base of the plant in early spring, when no more hard freezes are forecast. Using sharp garden clippers or a larger cutting tool, such as loppers or a saw, cut cleanly close to the soil surface.
- 4
  Saw off all of the leaves to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground if a hard freeze has damaged a large percentage of the foliage. Be sure to wait until the threat of hard freezes has passed.

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