Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Decide when to prune
• Method 2 of 3: Remove dead bloom
• Method 3 of 3: Care for mature plants
• Warnings

The bird of paradise plant is brightly colored with spiky flowers that are eye-catching and exciting in gardens. These flowers can grow very large, and they need regular maintenance to stay healthy. You can easily prune a bird of paradise when it has finished flowering!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Decide when to prune

1. Start pruning the yellow and Mexican varieties in late winter and early spring. When the cold winter weather is over, you can start by assessing your yellow and Mexican bird of paradise plants to prune them. Pruning at this point will encourage new growth in the plant later in the season.
   • Both the yellow and Mexican bird of paradise plants should be pruned sparingly when the flowers and stems begin to die.
2. Prune the flowers of the strelitzia variety sparingly in the spring. Strelitzia bird of paradise plants don't need to be pruned as much, but you can remove overblown flowers and leaves in the spring. Only remove stems and leaves that have died and are brown.
   • If the plant does not grow well throughout the year, prune at least half of the stems back to the ground so that the plant can bloom healthy again.
3. Care for the red varieties in early spring and mid-summer. As soon as the weather warms and there is no more frost threat, prune the red bird of paradise plants to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground. Depending on spring and summer growth, prune the flowers again in mid-summer.
   • Red bird of paradise plants are very hardy and can tolerate a good pruning twice a year if the plant is healthy.

Method 2 of 3: Remove dead bloom

1. Look for brown and dead flowers. Dead flowers are quite easy to spot on the shrub because the plant's natural color is so vibrant. Once the orange flowers and the blue underside of the flower begin to turn brown, it is time to remove the dead flowers (this is called "deadheading").
   • It is good to start pruning before all the flowers on the plant have finished. Even if you only have two or three flowers that have finished flowering, removing them can help the remaining flowers live longer.
2. Cut the stem of the faded flower as close to the base of the plant as possible. Follow the stem of the spent flower to the base of the plant, then cut with your pruning shears as close to the base of the plant as possible. This will prevent the long stem from turning brown and rotting after you remove the flower.
   • The bird of paradise plant does not shed dead stems after the flower is removed, so it is important to remove as much of the stem as possible. This is how the plant looks neat and colorful all year round!
   • Always wear thick gardening gloves when pruning.
3. Trim or peel off any excess brown foliage. The bird of paradise also has large green leaves that can die back and turn brown once flowering is over. Normally you can pull these out with just your hands. You can also use pruning shears to remove stubborn leaves that won't come off.
   • Always try to remove dead foliage as close to the plant's stump as possible to maintain the plant's well-groomed appearance.
   • Failure to remove the dead leaves can lead to rot and fungal infections that can kill the plant completely, so make sure to remove the dead foliage completely!
4. Cover the plant with a tarpaulin if it is deep freezing. You should cover the plant with a tarp when it freezes to protect the bloom. A single frost can kill many flowers and leaves.
   • If your plant is in a pot, take it indoors in very cold temperatures to prevent the leaves and flowers from freezing.

Method 3 of 3: Care for mature plants

1. Prune the outer ring of the growth with your pruning shears. If you have a plant that grows out of control and is wider than you'd actually like, you can remove the outer edges of the plant by cutting the stems and leaves down to the base. This way you keep the area occupied by the plant under control and you can more easily reach the inner growth.
   • Try to keep the shape of the plant in a circle so that you can reach it from all sides.
   • These plants can easily grow to a diameter of 1.5 m, so don't plant other flowers nearby.
2. Use a ladder to get to the tall stems of the mature plants. The flowers of the bird of paradise can grow very high. If you have very long shoots, use a ladder on a stable surface to cut the dead stems in half. Once they are cut in half, climb down the ladder and cut the stems down to the base of the plant.
   • Always be careful on the ladder! You may need a friend or neighbor to keep the ladder stable while you prune so you don't hurt yourself with the scissors.
3. Tame a bird of paradise that got out of hand with a pruning saw. If the plant is too dense and full of dead foliage and growth that prevents you from getting to the center, use a large pruning saw to cut the entire plant to about 12 inches from the ground. This will give you room to remove the foliage and allow for new growth.
   • Work slowly when using the saw. If you come to a particularly dense area, you can use the pruning shears to pre-trim some of the stems to make it easier to cut through the area.
   • A bird of paradise pruned this way will normally regrow within one to two flowering seasons if treated with water and fertilizer.

Warnings

• Always wear thick safety gloves when you prune, because you work with sharp scissors.
• Do not use hedge trimmer on your bird of paradise as this can cause irreparable damage to the plant.