The Strelitzia Nicolai, known as the Bird of Paradise plant, is native to South Africa. With its large and firm green leaves, this houseplant is suitable for any interior. The Streltizia belongs to the Musaceae family, making it a close relative of the banana plant. A typical characteristic of this family are the cracks in the leaves of the plants. This is completely natural for the bird of paradise plant and nothing to worry about!
Care guide
The Strelitzia Nicolai is a real sun worshipper and therefore prefers a place with lots of light. Because of this, the plant also needs a lot of water (pay attention to drainage to prevent root rot). The plant can also be kept on the terrace in spring and summer. The plant is not hardy, so if there is a chance of frost, it should be brought back inside. Furthermore, the Strelitzia is known to grow its beautiful exotic flowers. However, this often does not happen until the plant is decades old.
Light
Place your Strelitzia Nicolai in a spot with partial to full sun but avoid excessive sunlight as this can scorch its leaves. If you start noticing dark spots, it’s a sign of too much sun
Water
Let half of the soil dry between waterings, let the soil get moist, not soggy. Too much water can cause root rot. Yellowing leaves mean that they need more hydration.
Mist the plant regularly to increase the humidity levels and keep its leaves clear of built-up dust.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures are between 18 and 27 ºC. Avoid cold draughts. This plant is not tolerant to frost
Nutrition
During the growing season, feed it with a general-purpose fertiliser once every two to three weeks. Do not feed it during the colder months
Additional information
Toxicity
The Strelitzia is mildly toxic to children and pets.
Repotting
Younger plants will need to be repotted once a year, established ones only need repotting once every 3 years. Use a well-draining, slightly acidic light soil mix. Regular pruning is recommended. Remove yellowing, damaged or dead leaves to give room for new ones to grow. You can propagate your White Bird of Paradise through division. Divide your plant’s rhizome during one of your repotting sessions.
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