White Bird of Paradise – Strelitzia Nicolai Dressing Your Home

November 2nd, 2011 by Declan Pottinger

White Bird of Paradise – Strelitzia Nicolai

When most of us hear of the “Bird of Paradise” we think of the commonly grown orange cut flower Strelitzia reginae not the white Bird of Paradise.

Strelitzia nicolai Pronounced: streh-LIT-see-uh NICK-oh-lye

Although it is not as well known, commonly known as the “White Bird of Paradise”, has grown in popularity for indoor use over the last 30 years.

Its large banana-like leaves grown from its clumping stalks are loved and used by many in various landscape designs, especially when a tropical landscape look is wanted. The leaves are arranged in a fan-like position on the upper erect portion of the plant’s trunks. Each evergreen leaf is sensitive to strong winds. For a tidy plant, most growers periodically remove ragged leaves.

The “White Bird” has been grown for many years but it took a little Madison Ave. to bring it to center stage.

In the late 70′s the magazine “Architectural Digest” did a photo shoot of an apartment… the famous clothing designer (Haltson I think) in New York.

They needed very tropical looking plants to frame the apartment, featuring Central Park as its backdrop.

What do you think they used?

You guessed it! The “White Bird”. The shoot was featured on the cover of the magazine and people have been asking for the “White Bird” ever since.

The “White Bird” is native to South Africa. It is used outdoors in both Florida and California as a landscape plant, where it can reach a height of 20 or more feet. When lit with landscape lighting some very interesting looks appear at night.

The flowers can reach a size of 10-12 inches, but plants need some maturity (few years old) before flowering. Do not expect flowers indoors.

Nicolai can handle a wide variety of soils and can grow in a variety of conditions. One condition it cannot take is the roots in extremely WET soil, so it your best to keep White Bird’s on the dry side.

It also likes a “salt free” diet, so make sure you use good water and stay away from the lots of fertilizers.

The “White Bird” isn’t a small plant, but it is a very upright plant so it can fit into some tight spaces. Their large banana-shaped leaves add a rich tropical look to almost any interior and outside they create cool effects when lit.

Growers usually use multiple plants to get a fuller plant. Sizes normally found are 10″ pots 3-4 feet, and 14″ pots 5-7 feet in height. Indoors, it is best to give Nicolai as much light as you can.

Most disease and pest problems occur when the plants are young and being grown in the nursery. But, always examine the plants and wipe the leaves clean.

White Bird Finds Place in Restaurants

The glossy leaves of White Bird of Paradise are sometimes used as plates to serve food in some seafood or native restaurants. But because of these leaves, White Bird of Paradise has been loved by many as it provides a lush tropical effect on various landscapes, pool sides, patios, and even on containers.

White Bird of Paradise Flowers

White Bird of Paradise flowers can be seen at the point where the leaf fan protrudes from the stem. These flowers are significantly large with a light blue tongue and sits in a purplish bract. Following these flowers are triangular seed capsules.

Most White Bird of Paradise tends to grow in clusters with multiple stems growing out of a single base. These stems make the White Bird of Paradise resemble the Palm tree except that it is thinner than most palms. Under optimum conditions, Strelitzia nicolai is useful in creating a lush, tropical effect because of its eyecatching evergreen look.

White Bird of Paradise Vitals

Grows Outdoors in USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11
Uses: planted specimen in landscape, deck or patio planted in container or planter; also used indoors
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 6 to 10 feet
Growth Rate: moderate
Flower color: white/cream/gray
Flower characteristics: showy
Pruning: little required
Light requirements: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Soils: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Salt tolerance: low
Roots: not aggressive
Pest resistance: resistant to most pests/diseases

Strelitzia Nicolai In The Landscape

The white bird or Paradise, with its large, upright, clumping stalks and banana-like leaves lend a true tropical, exotic feel to any landscape.

Although the plants with their fan like leaves resembling the travelers palm are usually smaller in the landscape, when mature the can reach heights of 20-30 feet. Over time the old leaves fall off exposing the trunk.

The white bird-of-paradise is an excellent plant for use in front entrances and creates quiet a “splash” when used as a “pool plant” in pool landscaping plans.

Plants do need some grooming and leaves need to be removed from time to time, as the large leaves can ragged from winds. Give the plant plenty of room to grow, mature and develop. Once mature the unusual flowers of white accompanied with a dark blue tongue are welcome additions.

The Strelitzia Nicolai grows very well when planted in full sun in a well drained soil that holds moisture. Protect the leaves from high winds as the leaves can be come torn and ripped. Groom the plant by removing dead leaves.

Propagation from seed is slow put preferred. Propagation by division is possible but often the plant takes time to “look good”

Pests do not seem to bother Strelitzia Nicolai. Scale can sometimes become and issue. We use natural Neem Oil as our preferred pesticide. As for diseases, the White bird of paradise has no real problems.

Overall, planted in the ground or used in containers the white bird of paradise is a wonderful landscape addition.

Dressing Your Home