Giant white bird of paradise

Perennial · Tree

Strelitzia nicolai

Giant white bird of paradise

Also known as: Strelitzia alba subsp. nicolai

A huge, banana-like evergreen with paddle-shaped leaves and dramatic blue-and-white 'bird' flowers.

  • Full sun, Partial shade
  • 2–1 m (7–33 ft)
  • 1.5–4 m (5–13 ft)
  • H1b · Zone 11
  • March–June
  • Evergreen

Overview

Native to coastal forests of South Africa and Mozambique, this giant relative of the orange bird of paradise forms clumps of woody, palm-like stems topped with fans of enormous, leathery, banana-like leaves. Mature plants produce large flowers like a bird's head, with white petals and a blue 'tongue' emerging from a dark purple-black, beak-like bract. It needs a minimum of about 10°C (50°F), so outside frost-free climates it is grown as a large houseplant or conservatory plant, where it typically reaches 2-3m. Outdoors in frost-free gardens it can reach 8-10m.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun, Partial shade
Height 2–1 m (7–33 ft)
Spread 1.5–4 m (5–13 ft)
Hardiness H1b · Zone 11
Flowers March–June
Soil Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Clump forming, Tree-like, Upright
Water Moderate
Maintenance Easy

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature 10°C (50°F)
pH Range 6–7.5
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • East-facing
  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Site Tolerance

  • Coastal

Soil Tolerance

  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant white bird of paradise)
Strelitzia nicolai (Giant white bird of paradise)
Persistence Evergreen
Colour Green, Grey-green
Leaf shape / texture oblong_paddle
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: 12 months of the year

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Mar Apr May Jun
  • Foliage 12 months of the year
  • Propagate Apr May Jun

How to propagate

Ways to grow more Giant white bird of paradise: the usual steps for each method.

Division Apr Easy

You'll need: A garden fork or spade (two forks back to back help with big clumps) and a sharp knife.

  1. Water the plant well the day before.
  2. Dig up the whole clump with a fork, keeping as much root as you can.
  3. Split it into pieces about the size of your fist, each with healthy roots and shoots: pull them apart by hand, or cut tough clumps with a knife or spade.
  4. Throw away any old, woody middle.
  5. Replant the pieces straight away at the same depth, and water them in well.
How long
Settles in within a few weeks.
It's worked when
Fresh new growth within a few weeks.
Then
Water in dry spells for the rest of the season.
Offsets, runners and bulblets Apr Easy

You'll need: A trowel, small pots and compost.

  1. Find the small plants, offsets or bulblets growing beside the parent plant, or on its runners.
  2. Gently separate them with some roots, cutting any runner from the parent.
  3. Pot them up, or replant them at the same depth, and water.
How long
Grows on within a few weeks.
It's worked when
New leaves on the young plants.
Then
Grow them on until they're a good size before planting out.
From seed Apr–May Easy

You'll need: Seed compost, a seed tray or small pots, labels, and a clear lid or plastic bag.

  1. Fill a tray or pots with seed compost, level it and firm it gently.
  2. Water the compost and let it drain.
  3. Sow the seeds thinly on top. Cover them with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite about as deep as the seed is big; leave tiny seeds uncovered.
  4. Label them, cover with a clear lid or bag, and keep them somewhere bright but out of hot sun.
  5. Keep the compost just moist, and take the cover off once seedlings appear.
How long
Usually comes up in 1 to 3 weeks.
It's worked when
Seedlings with their first pair of leaves.
Then
When each has its first true leaves, prick them out into their own small pots, holding them by a leaf, never the stem. Harden them off for a week or two before planting out.

Separate rooted side shoots with a sharp knife in late spring. Seed needs warmth (about 25°C), and seedlings take many years to flower.

Maintenance Calendar

  • Apr Feed every two to four weeks through spring and summer, when it is putting out new leaves
  • May Repot only when roots fill the pot, since a slightly cramped plant is more likely to flower
  • Jul Wipe the leaves and check leaf bases for mealybugs and scale, which hide in the folds
  • Oct Water less in winter, letting the top few centimetres of compost dry out between waterings, as the plant grows slowly in low light

Garden Design

Works well in: Modern / Contemporary, Tropical / Exotic

A statement houseplant for a bright room or conservatory. Leaves naturally split along the veins, which is normal, but avoid draughts and wind to keep them tidy.

Companion planting: Bananas, Monstera, Palms, Bird's nest ferns

Wildlife Value

  • Birds
  • Shelter

Safety

  • Toxic to dogs
  • Toxic to cats

Seeds and fruit are considered mildly toxic to dogs and cats, causing stomach upset if chewed.