Strelitzia Nicolai (White Bird of Paradise)
- Regular price
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€18,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€18,95
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the leaves of a Strelitzia Nicolai tear? It is a natural adaptation mechanism to wind in its African habitat — the leaves split along their veins to let air pass through without breaking; it is neither a disease nor a sign of poor care.
How often should you water a Strelitzia Nicolai in an apartment? 1 to 2 times a week in spring and summer, keeping the soil slightly moist, and less frequently in winter — its large leaves transpire heavily and its water needs are higher than most indoor plants.
SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌿 Giant banana-like foliage • ☀️ Partial shade to bright light • 💧 Regular watering • 🌴 Majestic XXL plant • 🏙️ 9 sizes available
The Strelitzia Nicolai, also called White Bird of Paradise or Giant Bird of Paradise, is a spectacular tropical plant with large shiny green oval leaves borne on long slender petioles. Its banana-like foliage and rapid growth make it one of the few plants capable of transforming an interior into a true tropical jungle in just a few seasons.
Native to South Africa, it differs from Reginae — the other species in the Strelitzia genus — by its imposing size and architectural foliage: where Reginae flowers easily in a compact size, Nicolai stands out as a large structural plant above all.
Which Strelitzia variety to choose?
The Strelitzia genus offers two species with very different characters — the choice depends on available space and whether foliage or flowering is prioritized:
- Strelitzia Nicolai (this plant) — giant banana-like foliage, majestic architectural form, white and blue flowers on mature plants, 5 sizes from H35 to H110 cm. The most imposing.
- Strelitzia Reginae — iconic orange and blue flowers, compact to medium size, easier and faster flowering indoors. The most flowering.
The Nicolai can reach 2 to 3 m indoors — plan space accordingly at purchase, its foliage spreads widely and its roots become strong over time. Available in 9 sizes from H35 cm to H120 cm.
Exposure & placement
The Strelitzia Nicolai is a light-loving plant — the more light it receives, the more vigorous its growth and dense its foliage. It tolerates partial shade but produces fewer new leaves. To incorporate a plant of this size into your interior, our guide on large XXL plants offers practical tips.
- Ideal exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade — large window, veranda, bright living room with high ceilings.
- Tolerates: a few hours of gentle direct morning sun.
- Avoid: harsh direct afternoon sun that dries out and burns large leaves.
- Temperature: 15–25 °C, without sudden changes.
- Substrate: rich and draining — universal potting soil with perlite.
Leaves naturally tear along their veins — this is an adaptation mechanism to wind in its natural habitat, not a sign of disease or poor care.
Watering & care
The Strelitzia Nicolai has higher water needs than most houseplants — its large leaves transpire heavily. The finger test remains the best guide: water when the top 3 to 5 centimeters of substrate are dry.
- Watering: regular — keep the substrate slightly moist without ever soaking it.
- Frequency: 1 to 2 times per week in spring and summer; reduce slightly in winter.
- Water: room temperature water.
- Humidity: regularly mist the large leaves, especially in heated apartments.
- Drainage: essential — pot must have drainage holes, empty the saucer after watering.
- Fertilizer: liquid fertilizer for green plants, every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer.
Regularly wipe the large leaves with a damp cloth — dust quickly accumulates on broad surfaces, blocking stomata and dulling the shiny foliage.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
The giant foliage of the Strelitzia Nicolai instantly structures a large space — just one plant is enough to transform an empty corner into a tropical focal point. To design around it, find our ideas to create a tropical atmosphere.
- As an XXL centerpiece: place the H110 cm size in a large corner of the living room — slip it into a natural Selin basket whose blonde fiber warmly contrasts with the shiny green of the large leaves.
- In an iconic tropical duo: pair it with a Monstera — the large cut leaves of the Monstera and the whole elongated leaves of the Strelitzia create an instantly recognizable tropical shape dialogue.
- In an urban jungle composition: pair it with a large arrow-shaped leaf Alocasia and a climbing Philodendron for a trio of sizes and textures that fills the entire height of a room.
- Decorative pot and color scheme: the deep, shiny green of the leaves stands out especially well against a black Jorck basket — the dark contrast amplifies the tropical intensity of the foliage.
Verdeia tips
- Turn the pot regularly: Strelitzia naturally grows toward the light — turning it a quarter turn every 2 weeks ensures even growth on all sides and prevents an asymmetrical shape.
- Repot when roots overflow: Strelitzia roots are strong and can deform or crack a pot that is too small — repot in spring as soon as roots come through the bottom, into a significantly larger container.
- Be patient for flowering: Nicolai only blooms at maturity, usually after several years indoors, and only if the plant receives enough direct light — meanwhile, its architectural foliage is its main decorative appeal.
If new leaves come out smaller than previous ones, it is a sign the plant lacks light or nutrients — move it closer to a window and resume fertilizing in spring.
Technical characteristics
- Botanical name: Strelitzia nicolai
- Common name: White bird of paradise, Giant bird of paradise
- Family: Strelitziaceae
- Origin: South Africa
- Available sizes: H35 cm | Pot Ø13 cm / H70 cm | Pot Ø17 cm / H70 cm | Pot Ø17 cm (2 shoots) / H90 cm | Pot Ø19 cm / H95 cm | Pot Ø19 cm / H80 cm | Pot Ø21 cm / H100 cm | Pot Ø21 cm / H120 cm | Pot Ø21 cm / H110 cm | Pot Ø24 cm
- Adult size: up to 200–300 cm indoors
- Exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade
- Substrate: rich and draining — universal potting soil with perlite
- Watering: regular — keep the substrate slightly moist
- Care: easy
- Growth: fast
- Toxicity: toxic if ingested
- Decorative style: Tropical / Urban jungle / Architectural
- Feature: giant banana-like foliage, fast growth, white and blue flowers on mature plant
Each plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. The size and number of leaves naturally vary depending on the chosen size, light, and season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What to do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.