# Propagating Bird of Paradise plant from tubers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 15, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082 "2023-07-15T20:53:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082/1 "2023-07-15T20:53:28Z")

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I’m dividing a bird of paradise that has been root bound for years. Various web articles say that the tubers (their name is legion) may be divided to start new plants, like lotus. Has anyone any experience with this?

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082/2 "2023-07-16T01:24:07Z")

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This article says, in so many words, that the rhizomes (underground stems) can indeed be divided and repotted, and that it’s best to do it in the spring but any time except wintertime is fine.

[How to Divide Your Large Bird of Paradise into Two or More Plants - The Healthy Houseplant](https://thehealthyhouseplant.com/how-to-divide-your-large-bird-of-paradise-into-two-or-more-plants/#:~:text=To%20divide%20a%20Bird%20of,of%20rhizome%20and%20central%20stem).

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082/3 "2023-07-16T01:36:15Z")

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Thanks, near. That link is better than the ones I found.

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082/4 "2023-07-17T08:45:53Z")

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I take it you’re growing them under glass?

The wikihow on this is quite good, my MIL used that: [How to Divide a Bird of Paradise Plant: 12 Steps (with Pictures)](https://www.wikihow.com/Divide-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant)

It amuses me greatly that _Strelitzia_ has been so popularized overseas that LA has it as its official flower 🙂

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propagating-bird-of-paradise-plant-from-tubers/987082/5 "2023-07-17T14:30:54Z")

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It lives on the patio during the Summer, and I bring it inside during the Winter. I split the plants into three pots.  
I’ve found references to growing plants from the tubers. I potted some of them up although I cannot find any growing tips on them. I’d like to speak with someone who had propagated bird of paradise from tubers.