No Flowers On Bird Of Paradise: Tips To Get Bird Of Paradise Blooms

Non-Blooming Bird Of Paradise Plants
(Image credit: LindasPhotography)

Bird of paradise is a popular houseplant, or garden addition in warmer climates, producing beautiful flowers reminiscent of flying birds, but what do you do when there are no flowers on bird of paradise plants? How to make bird of paradise flower can be tricky unless the proper growing conditions are met.

Why Bird of Paradise Is Not Blooming

One of the most common reasons bird of paradise blooms fail to flower is insufficient light. These plants require at least four to six hours of full sun (or bright light indoors) in order to bloom sufficiently. They should also be kept evenly moist throughout summer but need to dry out between watering. It's also helpful to fertilize these plants during their active growth at least every couple of weeks with a general purpose water-soluble fertilizer. Another factor to look for when there are no flowers on bird of paradise is the planting condition. Container grown plants will bloom more profusely if kept slightly pot bound. Repotting too often can inhibit the flowering of bird of paradise blooms for up to two years. Instead, you should simply top dress the plant with fresh potting soil in spring. They also require shallow planting in well-draining soil. In fact, roots near the top of the soil may actually help to encourage blooming.

How to Help Bird of Paradise Bloom

The best way to encourage blooming in bird of paradise plants is to simply provide adequate growing conditions. If you recently divided or repotted your bird of paradise, this is most likely the reason for non-flowering. If it's planted too deeply, it may need to be replanted or repotted but this will also delay future flowering. If you pruned or deadheaded your bird of paradise, this will generally not affect its continued growth or next season's flowering unless it was a severe pruning, which may put off blooming somewhat. If it's not getting enough light, move the plant elsewhere. Finally, make sure it is receiving adequate water and fertilizer throughout the growing season. Now that you know some tips on how to make bird of paradise flower, you will be able to enjoy the bird of paradise blooms on your plant at home.

Nikki Tilley
Senior Editor

Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.