- Large, Banana-Like Foliage
- Bright Indirect Light
- Mature Height 10 - 12 feet
- Water Needs - Allow Top Layer to Dry Out
The giant white bird of paradise is the largest variety available for growing indoors as a houseplant. When in bloom, this stately tropical plant can reach well over 10 feet. Strelitzia nicolai is often confused with banana tree varieties before it blooms and displays its brilliantly white flower head. Native to South Africa, birds of paradise are fully hardy in the United States in USDA growing zones 9-11.
Best Locations For Growing Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise
The bird of paradise makes a striking floor plant specimen for a bright corner of a living room, sunroom, or bedroom. Plant it in a bold architectural pot to show off the striking foliage. Strelitzia thrives outdoors during the summer months, where it may grow faster and be encouraged to bloom. An outdoor seating area sheltered by a pergola or awning during the hottest parts of the day is ideal.
Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise Sunlight Requirements
Indirect bright light helps the bird of paradise grow steadily and maintain its deep green foliage color. Find a spot near a west-facing window or opposite a south-facing window. If adequate natural light is not available, LED or fluorescent grow lights can be used. Set the timer for 12 hours a day and rotate the plant if it starts to reach or lean toward the light.
Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise Care
Plant the bird of paradise in a peat-free potting mix with added coconut coir and/or perlite to aid drainage and keep the soil structure loose and open. Once the plant is large enough to grow as a floor specimen, use a wide or heavy pot to offset the top-heavy growth of this plant.
The bird of paradise blooms only when it is at least 5 years old, typically during March, April, or May. Plants growing in low light are much less likely to produce a flower stalk. Birds of paradise tolerate being moderately pot-bound as long as they are kept consistently watered.
Watering Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise
Allow the potting medium to dry between waterings, even in spring and summer. The top 3-4 inches can dry fully, as long as the soil does not pull away from the sides of the pot. Plants in higher humidity settings will require far less watering than those grown in dry atmospheres. In winter, reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks, depending on the amount of indoor humidity.
Feeding Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise
As heavy feeders, birds of paradise thrive with fertilization every 2 weeks during the main growing seasons of spring and summer. Use a diluted liquid formula with a balanced NPK ratio. Once your plant matures, switch to a formulation designed for blooming houseplants, such as African violets or orchids. Avoid fertilizing during the fall and winter.
Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light |
| Mature Height: 10 - 12 feet |
| Mature Spread: 4 - 5 feet |
| Habit: Clumping |
| Flower Color(s): Blue, Orange, White |
| Foliage Color(s): Deep Green |
| Watering: Allow Top Layer to Dry Out |
| Features: |
| Common Name: Strelitzia Nicolai White Bird of Paradise |
| Other Name(s): White Bird of Paradise |
| Scientific Name: Strelitzia Nicolai |
- SKU:
- STRELITZIA_BIRD.OF.PARADISE
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations