Food Requirements for Birds of Paradise

Slow-Release Fertilizers

• The most universally recommended fertilizer for birds of paradise, which grow moderately, is a slow-release, complete fertilizer, or one that contains all three major nutrients needed by most plants in quantities larger than typically available in soil: nitrogen, phosphorous or potash and potassium (K). For landscape plants such as birds of paradise a NPK ratio of 3-1-2 or 3-1-1 is usually ideal. Slow-release lawn fertilizers such as 18-6-12 or 24-8-16 -- which have a suitable 3-1-2 NPK ratio – are fine too as long as they contain no herbicides. To support good growth and flowering, for a full-grown clump, apply 1 pound every few months from spring through early fall.

Organic Fertilizers

• Commercial organic slow-release fertilizers are also available. You can also easily mix your own slow-release organic plant food from ingredients available in bulk at your local nursery or feed store. Alfalfa pellets widely used as rabbit and livestock feed, for example, are a good slow-release natural plant food too, one with a NPK ratio of 2-1-2. Add a tiny amount of fishmeal or fish powder to that, work the mix lightly into the soil and water it in well and you’re all set. Alternatively, supplement alfalfa-pellet fertilizer with an occasional watering with diluted fish emulsion fertilizer.

Water-Soluble Fertilizers

• When grown indoors, birds of paradise need lots of light, but otherwise are much like any houseplant. Their nutrient needs are higher than other houseplants, however, because of the nutritional demands of flower production. The same is true of any birds of paradise grown in containers, which get all their nutrients and moisture from a very limited soil area. Feed container-grown birds of paradise any complete water-soluble 3-1-2 or similar fertilizer, mixed at half-strength, every two weeks from March through September. Because fertilizer salts can build up to toxic levels in potting soil, be sure to flush potted birds of paradise with large quantities of water at least every six months. Setting plants outside on the lawn with a sprinkler for an hour works quite well.

Compost & Mulch

• Regularly enrich your garden soil or potting mix with good quality compost, both to help soil retain moisture and also to add micronutrients and small quantities of plant food. Mulch plants with 3 to 4 inches of rich organic compost too – whether plants are grown inside or outside -- to help conserve soil moisture and also enhance overall nutrition.