How to Dry Bird of Paradise Flowers

Bird of paradise flowers are tropical blossoms that have brightly colored petals. These flowers can be very difficult to dry properly because they are incredibly delicate. According to gardening expert Linda Yang, the best way to preserve bird of paradise flowers is to gently remove their moisture with silica gel. For best results, dry these flowers when they are still fresh and vibrant; if they begin to wilt and lose color, they are much more difficult to dry successfully.

Bird Of Paradise Plant Flower?

The standard bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) grows 6 feet tall with orange, blue and white heron’s head-shaped flowers, while the giant variety (Strelitzia nicolai) can reach a height of 30 feet with blue and white blooms. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11 and often used as a houseplant elsewhere, bird of paradise leaves and seeds are considered mildly toxic and should not be consumed. The plant may prove difficult to bring into flower if it is immature, improperly planted, sun-deprived, over-indulged or indoors year-round. When setting a bird of paradise in the ground or a pot, make sure that you don’t bury its tuberous roots too deeply, as that also may delay flowering. Water a potted one only when its soil has dried out to a couple inches beneath the surface. For example, start with a granular organic palm fertilizer such as 6-4-6 -- nitrogen being the first number -- applying 1 cup per in-ground plant once every two months from March through September. Water well before and after fertilizing.