A Bird of Paradise needs to be a mature plant, at least 4 or 5 years old, before it’s even capable of blooming. Once it reaches that age here a few ways to encourage it to bloom. Keep a Bird of Paradise plant root- bound and very crowded in its pot. Never re-pot a Bird of Paradise that is older than 4 or 5 years. Replace the upper 30% of the soil, leaving the top of the roots exposed. A Bird of Paradise plant needs a great deal of bright light in order to bloom, moving the plant outside for the summer helps. Use a fertilizer high in phosphorus during the summer to encourage flowers. In all honesty, indoor Bird of Paradise plants ever bloom.