All About Strelizia nicolai ‘White Bird of Paradise’

Similar to the “traditional” Bird of Paradise, the White Bird of Paradise sports crane-like flowers and can be cared for indoors or outdoors (in hardiness zones 10-12). One difference? The Strelizia Nicolai is known as the Giant Bird of Paradise, and for good reason: Its foliage can reach heights of 20 feet! With the proper TLC, you can bring this towering, tropical paradise vibe to your home and patio.

Meet Your Match:

• Nickname: Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower, Giant Bird of Paradise
• About the Family: The White Bird of Paradise is a relative of other Strelitzia varieties, such as the Reginae.
• Understanding the Family Tree: Strelitziaceae (Family), Strelitzia (Genus), Strelizia Nicolai (Species).
• Hometown: South Africa.

How to Care for Your Indoor White Bird of Paradise:

• Watering: Allow the first 50% of the soil to dry out.
• Humidity: Average-high.
• Soil: Well-draining soil. 
• Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer monthly during the Spring-Summer.
• Environment: Keep your Bird of Paradise in bright, direct light, and temperatures above 65 degrees.
• Propagation: Division.
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans. “Fruit and seeds” are listed as toxic to animals.

The Best Unboxing Practices:

• Watering: Exotic Forest ships freshly watered plants. Do not water your White Bird of Paradise until it exhibits the proper signs.
• Repotting: Do not immediately repot your plant, which would likely result in shock and leaf-loss. Allow it to acclimate to its new environment for at least one week.
• Lighting: Place your Bird of Paradise in filtered, low light for a few days to acclimate. Relocate your White Bird of Paradise to your desired location that fits its indoor care needs afterward. Do not ever place a freshly un-boxed plant in direct sun.

What You’re Getting:

• You will receive a carefully selected, quality evaluated 10” diameter plant approximately 36" tall. All Exotic Forest plants are rooted and thriving. 

What Makes Us Special:

• Shipment Methods: Plants are precious, and we want yours to arrive safely! We ship our plants via UPS, with a maximum of 4-day shipping. 
• Our Packing: Have you received ‘squished’ plants from other companies? Our solution to this common issue is bamboo stakes and biodegradable packing peanuts (starch), which securely holds your plant in place during shipment. 
• Chemical-free: We are committed to keeping our plants and customers safe. We never treat our plants with chemical pesticides. 
• Quality Standards: Exotic Forest strives to meet stringent quality standards and evaluates each plant we resource from our nursery. Pest-free, healthy plants are a requirement!
• Customer Service: Your satisfaction is our priority. If you are experiencing issues with or have questions about how to care for your Strelizia nicolai ‘White Bird of Paradise’, reach out to us at support@exoticforest.com or via our social media accounts. Are you tired of receiving pre-written responses? We believe that plant parents want to talk to people, not robots. A knowledgeable team member reads and replies to each individual concern: no cookie-cutter answers here!
• Returns: While we do not accept returns at this time, you can contact us at support@exoticforest.com with photos of your plant and receipt to discuss the specific plant care issues you’re experiencing with your Strelizia nicolai ‘White Bird of Paradise’ and possible resolutions.
• Your Personal Plant-Care Resource: Do you love your new addition? We couldn’t be happier! Join our mailing list to receive exclusive offers, updates, and care tips.

FAQ about White Bird of Paradise Indoor Care:

• How often do you water an indoor White Bird of Paradise? You should water your White Bird of Paradise when the first 2-3 inches of soil is dry. Depending on your White Bird of Paradise’s growth, your indoor environment, and humidity level (which you should keep high to care for this plant properly), your soil will dry out at different rates. Instead of watering on a strict schedule, you should regularly monitor the moisture levels of your soil.
• Is the White Bird of Paradise toxic? It depends on who you ask. Poison Control has dubbed the Bird of Paradise as non-toxic to humans. The ASPCA, however, lists it as toxic to animals (specifically the “fruit and seeds”). Our recommendation? Don’t eat it… don’t let your kids or critters eat it either! 
• What are the White Bird of Paradise’s light requirements? You should place your White Bird of Paradise in the brightest indirect light you can muster. These plants can temporarily survive in medium-light conditions, but will slowly decline.
• What size pot should I get for a White Bird of Paradise? A 3-4 foot tall Bird of Paradise requires a 10-inch pot. 5-6 foot plants need a 14-inch pot.