Strelitzia Nicolai (White bird of paradise)
- Regular price
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€30,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€30,95
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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
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Free delivery from €85 (Ireland: €120) depending on your country
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the 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 known as the white bird of paradise or giant bird of paradise, is a spectacular tropical plant with large, oval, glossy green leaves carried 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 within 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: while Reginae flowers easily in a compact size, Nicolai stands out above all as a large structural plant.
Which Strelitzia variety should you choose?
The Strelitzia genus includes two species with very different characteristics — the choice depends on the space available and whether foliage or flowering is the priority:
- 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 floriferous.
Nicolai can reach 2 to 3 m indoors — plan the space from the moment you buy it, as its foliage spreads widely and its roots become powerful 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 the denser its foliage. It tolerates partial shade but produces fewer new leaves. A plant of this size needs space and room around it: XXL plants should be positioned according to a few practical guidelines.
- Ideal exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade — large window, conservatory, bright living room with high ceilings.
- Tolerates: a few hours of gentle direct morning sun.
- Avoid: harsh direct afternoon sun that dries out and scorches the large leaves.
- Temperature: 15–25 °C, with no sudden fluctuations.
- Substrate: rich and well-draining — universal potting soil with perlite.
The leaves naturally split along their veins — this is an adaptation mechanism to wind in their natural habitat, not a sign of disease or poor care.
Watering & care
Strelitzia Nicolai has higher water requirements than most indoor plants — its large leaves transpire abundantly. The finger method 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 waterlogging it.
- Frequency: 1 to 2 times a week in spring and summer; reduce slightly in winter.
- Water: water at room temperature.
- Humidity: mist the large leaves regularly, especially in a heated apartment.
- Drainage: essential — a drainage hole in the pot is mandatory; empty the saucer after watering.
- Fertiliser: liquid fertilizer for foliage plants, every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer.
Regularly wipe the large leaves with a damp cloth — dust quickly builds up on broad surfaces, blocks the stomata and dulls the foliage's glossy sheen.
Decor ideas & plant combinations
The giant foliage of Strelitzia Nicolai instantly structures a large space — just one plant is enough to transform an empty corner into a tropical focal point. To build an arrangement around it, it serves as the anchor for a tropical atmosphere.
- As an XXL centerpiece: place the H110 cm size in a large living room corner — slip it into a natural Selin basket whose blond fiber contrasts warmly with the glossy green of the large leaves.
- As an iconic tropical duo: pair it with a Monstera — the Monstera's large, split leaves and the Strelitzia's long, undivided leaves create an instantly recognizable interplay of tropical shapes.
- As an urban jungle arrangement: pair it with an Alocasia with large arrow-shaped leaves 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, glossy green of the leaves stands out particularly well against a black Jorck basket — the dark contrast intensifies the foliage's tropical feel.
Verdeia tips
- Turn the pot regularly: Strelitzia naturally grows toward the light — a quarter turn every 2 weeks ensures even growth on all sides and prevents an asymmetrical shape.
- Repot when the roots outgrow the pot: Strelitzia roots are strong and can deform or crack a pot that is too small — repot in spring as soon as the roots emerge from the bottom, using a significantly larger container.
- Be patient for flowering: Nicolai only flowers at maturity, generally after several years indoors, and only if the plant receives enough direct light — in the meantime, its architectural foliage is what gives it all its decorative appeal.
If the new leaves emerge smaller than the previous ones, this is a sign that the plant lacks light or nutrients — move it closer to a window and resume fertilizing in spring.
Technical specifications
- 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
- Mature size: up to 200-300 cm indoors
- Light exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade
- Substrate: rich and well-draining — universal potting soil with perlite
- Watering: regular — keep the substrate slightly moist
- Care: easy
- Growth: rapid
- Toxicity: toxic if ingested
- Decorative style: Tropical / Urban jungle / Architectural
- Distinctive feature: giant banana-like foliage, rapid growth, white and blue flowers on a mature plant
Each plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. The size and number of leaves naturally vary according to the size chosen, light levels, 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?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs €8.90 to €24.90 depending on your country, and delivery is free from €85 (Ireland: €120). You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
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 should I 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.