The easiest method to propagate a giant bird of paradise plant is by separating runners and shoots from the main plant. The steps to divide and multiple a giant bird of paradise are:
- Identify a shoot from the main plant to separate.
- Expose the rhizome (root system) by either de-potting the plant or by digging around it, then cut the rhizome with a sharp and sterilised knife.
- Let the freshly cut rhizome dry out for 1 to 2 days, this will reduce the likelihood that the plant will rot when potted.
- Plant the giant bird of paradise shoot into a pot with some good quality potting mix.
- Place the plant out of direct sunlight until it establishes itself and grows some roots. Water the new plant every 1 to 2 days depending on how hot it is and how dry the soil is.
In 2 to 3 weeks roots should start to grow and new leaf growth will start appearing on your plant.
The giant bird of paradise is a great feature plant whether planted inside or outside. See below for more detailed instructions on how to propagate a giant bird of paradise plant using the division technique.
Steps to Divide and Multiple Your Giant Bird of Paradise Plant
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Identify Giant Bird of Paradise Shoots
The giant bird of paradise spreads out and grows via a rhizome. It will put out runners to start new shoots away from its current position.
These shoots are easily cut from the rhizome to establish new plants.
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Expose and Cut the Rhizome
The best way to cut a new shoot from the rhizome is to:
(1) Expose the rhizome.
(2) Identify where to cut the rhizome making sure the shoot will have some roots attached to it (if possible).
(3) Use a sharp and sterilised knife to cut the rhizome to prevent the chance of spreading diseases.Other methods are to:
(1) Just put the shoot out of the ground with your hands. There is a real chance that you will damage the plant and it won’t be able to successfully grow on its own.
(2) Push a shovel into the ground where you think the rhizome is to cut it and dig the shoot out (this is what I did). I don’t sterilise my shovel so there was a chance that I am spreading a disease about but I think it’s low risk so it didn’t stop me. -
Allow Rhizome Cut to Dry Out
To prevent the chance of the plant rotting, it’s ideal if you can leave the shoot out of direct sunlight for a day to let the cut rhizome dry out.
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Plant the Giant Bird of Paradise Shoot
Fill up a plastic grow pot with a premium potting mixture that has good drainage and moisture retention and insert the giant bird of paradise shoot approximately 2 centimetres (1 inch) into it.
Press around the pot to firm up the potting mixture.
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Giant Bird of Paradise Shoot Ongoing Care
Place the potted plant somewhere out of direct sunlight, but somewhere it will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect sunlight each day. Water the plant every 1 to 2 days depending on how hot it is and how much the potting mixture is drying out.
Once the plant shows signs of new growth you can move it somewhere it will receive direct sunlight outside or move it inside where it will get over 8 hours of indirect sunlight each day
Once the plant shows new signs of growth you can also reduce the watering frequency to once or twice per week.
Supply:
- Grow pot
- Potting mix
Tools:
- Utility knife
- Giant bird of paradise plant
Final Thoughts
These plants make great feature plants both inside and outside. They can grow over 6 metres tall so if you plant them outside make sure they have enough room for them to grow, and if growing inside there will just have to be frequent trimming.
Can You Grow Giant Bird of Paradise from a Cutting?
You can cut a stem off a giant bird of paradise plant and expect it to root and grow. However, you can propagate and grow more plants by using either the division method or by cutting and planting shoots from rhizome runners.
Can You Cut Bird of Paradise Roots?
Giant birds of paradise plants spread out and grow more plants by sending out rhizome runners. You can cut the rhizome and new shoots to divide and multiple your plant collection.
How Do Giant Bird of Paradise Spread?
Giant bird of paradise plants spread out by putting out rhizome runners and growing shoots from them.