white bird of paradise

Strelitzia nicolai

HouseplantStrelitziaceae

white bird of paradise
Drought tolerantSalt tolerantEvergreen
USDA zones10 to 12
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size20 to 30 feet tall20 to 30 feet wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Habit
Clumping
Bloom season
Spring, summer, autumn, winter
Bloom color
Black, blue, purple, white
Foliage color
Gray/silver, green
Soil types
Sand, loam, clay, chalk
Soil pH
Acid, alkaline, neutral

Garden uses

BorderContainerCottage gardenIndoorLow maintenanceSpecimenXeriscape

Attracts

Birds

Notes

White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) is a houseplant for containers, specimen planting, and indoor spaces. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 10 and warmer, down to about 30°F (-1°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist soil of most types. It forms a clumping, evergreen mass of green leaves. It tolerates drought and salt, and birds visit it.

Pairs well with Papyrus, Snow gum, and Purple granadilla.

Native range

East Zimbabwe to KwaZulu-Natal and East Botswana.