Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise)

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Strelitzia, Genus, nicolai, Species,

Genus & species

giant bird of paradise

Strelitziaceae

South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Watermoderate · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Strelitzia nicolai is the giant bird of paradise (white bird of paradise), growing 180–360 inches (450–900 cm) tall and 120–180 inches (300–450 cm) wide — 3–5 times larger than the orange-flowered S. reginae (bird of paradise, 36–60 inches / 90–150 cm). Large banana-like dark green leaves 36–72 inches (90–180 cm) on long petioles — the leaves tear along the lateral veins in wind, a structural characteristic of the banana order (Zingiberales), not damage. The white and blue-purple flowers resemble a bird's head in profile: white sepals forming the 'crest' and a blue-purple tongue forming the 'beak,' enclosed in a dark purple-blue boat-shaped bract 12–18 inches (30–45 cm). Flowers only on mature outdoor plants (5–8 years old, in full sun) — rarely flowers indoors, where it is grown as a foliage plant. Multi-stemmed: produces suckers from the rhizome base, forming a clump. Named after Czar Nicholas I of Russia. In the bird of paradise family (Strelitziaceae), in the order Zingiberales (related to bananas and heliconias). Native to South Africa (Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal). Mildly toxic to dogs and cats (gastrointestinal irritation). Deer-resistant. Full sun to partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. Frost-tender: foliage damage at 28°F (−2°C). Growth rate is moderate to fast. Containers of 10+ gallons (40+ liters) indoors. Zones 9–11 outdoors.

Native Range

Native to South Africa (Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces), growing in coastal and riverine forest margins.

Suggested Uses

Grown outdoors in zones 9–11 as a large tropical foliage specimen, or indoors in containers of 10+ gallons (40+ liters) as a foliage plant. The large banana-like leaves create a tropical effect. Flowers only outdoors on mature plants. Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant.

How to Identify

Identified by large banana-like dark green leaves on a multi-stemmed clumping plant 180–360 inches (450–900 cm) with white and blue-purple bird-shaped flowers in a dark purple bract. The giant size (3–5× larger than S. reginae) and the white/blue-purple flower color (vs. orange/blue in S. reginae) are species identifiers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 30'

Width/Spread10' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Spring to summer on mature outdoor plants (5–8 years old). White sepals and blue-purple tongue in dark purple-blue bracts. Rarely flowers indoors. The large banana-like foliage is the year-round feature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White sepals with blue-purple tongue; enclosed in dark purple-blue bract

Foliage Description

Dark green, large banana-like, on long petioles

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0 (Neutral)

3579

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

tender

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. Leaves tear in wind (normal — structural trait). Flowers only on mature outdoor plants in full sun (rarely indoors). Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Frost-tender at 28°F (−2°C). Zones 9–11 outdoors; indoor foliage plant elsewhere.

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged leaves at the petiole base. Remove suckers to control spread, or allow clumping. Torn leaves are normal — do not remove green torn leaves. Remove spent flower stalks at the base.