Mexican Bird of Paradise
Erythrostemon mexicanus
A prolific bloomer with showy yellow flower spikes nearly year-round, irresistible to hummingbirds.
Root-hardy to about 15-20°F in low and mid desert; tops freeze back in hard frost and regrow vigorously in spring.
AMWUA Notes
Moderate water; blooms hardest with regular irrigation and an annual hard pruning.
Care Guide
Deep-soak weekly in summer for continuous bloom and every two weeks in cooler months; more water yields more flowers.
Cut back hard in late winter to renew and control size; deadhead and remove seed pods to prolong bloom and reduce litter.
A light balanced feeding in spring supports the heavy bloom.
Generally pest-free; occasional whitefly.
Yellow flower spikes appear nearly year-round with a warm-season peak; evergreen in mild winters, freezing back in hard frost.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining native or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Grown easily from scarified seed; self-sows in the garden
8–10 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; safe near hardscape, but keep back from pool skimmers for heavy seed-pod drop
Placement Tips
- •About 10 ft as an informal color and hummingbird accent; give it 8-10 ft of spread room.
- •Drops heavy seed-pod litter, so keep it back from pool edges and skimmers despite its clean foliage.
- •Train up to a small multi-trunk tree or keep as a large shrub.
- •Full sun produces the heaviest, most continuous bloom.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Mexican Bird of Paradise. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.