The depth of the roots of the bird of paradise depends on the variety of plants and the conditions in which it grows. Plants growing in the ground generally have a larger root system than plants grown in containers and can reach a depth of two feet.
bird of paradise plantStrelitzia nicolai) can be a wonderful addition to your garden, but choosing an appropriate variety and understanding the plant’s growth habit before planting is essential. Once in place, a bird of paradise plant is difficult to move, so getting it right is essential!
I’ll explain the different factors that affect Bird of Paradise root growth and the differences between the varieties to help you choose the right one for your space.
bird of paradise rootsContents
Why are root depth and soil depth important?
Because bird of paradise plants need rich soil to thrive, it’s important to plant them in an area of fertile soil at least two feet deep.
The plant’s roots don’t extend far out to the sides, so they need to be quite deep, otherwise the plant will struggle to get the nutrients it needs from the soil. The deeper the roots can go, the more good things they can achieve.
Having deeper roots not only helps the plant access water and nutrients, but also helps prevent them from being uprooted during storms or high winds.
However, it is important not to plant a plant too deeply. Planting too deep can cause problems for the plant, as the deeper soil may be too cold and not contain the nutrients and microorganisms the plant needs to access those nutrients.
Seeds planted too deep are unlikely to germinate due to low soil temperature and lack of light penetrating the soil. A rhizome generally grows best at the same depth as the “mother plant”, although it should grow well if planted less deeply.
Do Bird of Paradise plants have invasive roots?
You may have heard that bird of paradise plants have overgrown root systems and should be grown away from concrete, pavement, or structures.
However, this is not entirely true. You can safely grow most types of bird of paradise plants without causing problems to surrounding structures, provided you choose an appropriate variety.
The Giant Bird of Paradise plant is the most invasive plant, with a more extensive and robust root system than the smaller varieties. Although they are unlikely to break through concrete or pavement with their root ball, their trunks and basal roots grow very thick.
They can easily damage concrete, pavement or underground pipes if planted too close. These plants also send out suckers which can quickly overwhelm other plants and areas of the garden.
All types of Bird of Paradise plants will regrow from roots left in the ground. If you are trying to remove any of these plants from your soil, it is essential to remove all root sections to prevent regrowth.
bird of paradise root system
Bird of Paradise plants have a tuberous root system that grows into a tight ball, up to 60cm deep. Specifically, the plant produces rhizomes that grow horizontally from the root system and produce new plants close to the “mother” plant.
Over time, bird of paradise plants can become very crowded, affecting the life of the original plant and making it look unsightly. Therefore, it is a good idea to dig up and separate new plants every few years to prolong the life of the “mother plant”.
Keep in mind, however, that because these plants produce more flowers when their roots are full, dividing them may delay flowering or cause the plants to produce fewer flowers until the roots become clogged. new.
It is virtually impossible to remove any of these plants by uprooting them; Once the plant is established, you will need to dig it all the way out to remove it, making sure to catch all the root parts. The plant will regrow from the remaining rhizomes.
Many people prefer to grow these plants in containers, as this makes dividing the plant much more manageable and avoids all the problems associated with the plant’s aggressive root system.
bird of paradise species
The main thing that affects the root depth of a bird of paradise plant is variety. There are five varieties, S. reginae, Yes S.juncea they are better suited for general use.
Giant varieties have deeper roots and more aggressive growth and require much more space and more maintenance than smaller ones, so careful planning is needed before planting.
- Strelitzia reginae: It is the variety most commonly grown as a houseplant or in gardens (hardiness zones 10-12). It grows up to five or six feet tall and produces beautiful orange and purple flowers throughout the year.
- Strelitzia juncea: This plant looks a lot like S. reginae but with narrower leaves and slightly smaller flowers. Often grown as a houseplant or for cuttings, it grows three to six feet tall.
- Strelitzia caudate: This plant mainly grows wild in southern Africa and is rarely cultivated. It grows up to 20 feet tall and has bushy white flowers.
- Strelitzia nicolai: Commonly known as the giant bird of paradise, this plant can grow up to 30 feet tall. Can be used for landscaping in gardens in hardiness zones 10-12, but can be invasive.
- Strelitzia alba: Also called white flowering bananas, these plants can grow over 30 feet tall. They are not commonly cultivated and grow wild in southern Africa and Madagascar.
Factors Affecting Bird of Paradise Root Depth
Root structure and size of the bird of paradise.
The roots of bird of paradise plants do not spread very far or deep, but rather grow in a very compact ball, with horizontal rhizomes that produce suckers that develop into new plants. The roots will grow to fit into the surrounding space, eventually reaching about two feet deep.
Taller varieties have larger roots, but given the size of the plants, they do not develop an extensive root system. However, they can be compacted very heavily and firmly, making it difficult to dig into the ground.
A tighter root ball encourages more blooms, so it’s a good idea to keep these plants in pots when growing in containers. Plants grown in the ground may not produce as many flowers as those grown in containers.
Container depth
Birds of paradise thrive in containers, even the largest ones. S. nicolai. The size of the container determines the size of the plant.
If you want a tall plant, make sure the container is at least two feet deep. For a smaller plant, use a smaller pot and consider growing a slightly smaller one S.juncea.
Of course, if you want to keep the plant small, it doesn’t make much sense to grow it. Saint Nicolas in a container However, if you want to grow this impressive plant without digging it up, a (very large!) container could be the solution.
Soil structure and quality.
Birds of paradise like rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-7.5), moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
They do not like poor sandy soils. Although they can tolerate loamy soil or occasional drought, you should try to mimic the plant’s natural conditions if you want to produce a tall plant with a healthy root system.
Be sure to feed once a month during the growing season and reduce feeding to give the plant a rest for the winter.
In the spring or fall, apply organic mulch around the base of the plant (keep it 2-3 inches from the stem) to provide nutrients and keep the soil moist.
sowing depth
The correct planting depth is essential for a healthy bird of paradise plant. In general, it is best to plant the root ball of an established plant at a depth equal to the height of the root ball and a rhizome at the same depth from which it was taken.
plant a bird of paradise
| containerized | Outdoors | |
| Planting depth (sowing) | Same height as root ball 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) | Same height as root ball 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) |
| Planting depth (rhizome) | 5-10cm (2-4 inches) | The depth from which it was taken |
| Planting depth (seed) | ½-1 inch | ½-1 inch |
| Possible root depth | Will grow to fill the pot (use a 14 inch pot for a 5-6 foot plant) | up to two feet |
| Maximum plant height (S. reginae, S. juncea) | Up to six feet in a large pot | up to six feet |
| Maximum plant height (Saint Nicolas) | up to 15 feet | up to 30 feet |
The bird of paradise plant is generally easy to care for and gives a room a tropical vibe. Although they have a reputation for being invasive, this only happens with giant varieties. However, these plants do spread and need to be divided every few years to stay healthy and attractive.
Growing a bird of paradise plant in a container will prevent it from spreading out of its location, make division easier, and with taller varieties the plant’s invasive tendencies are completely reduced.