Giant White Bird of Paradise 'Strelitzia Nicholai'

Why It's A Great Gift

Bold, bird-like blooms on a compact, architectural plant

The Spoon Leaf Bird of Paradise brings striking orange and blue flowers, shaped like the head of a tropical bird, held on tall stems above neat clumps of small, spoon-shaped, blue-grey leaves. More compact than the classic

Bird of Paradise, it makes a bold statement without taking over the space.

It suits a sunny patio, courtyard or coastal garden, and grows well in a large container. A memorable choice for a new home, a garden lover or anyone who enjoys a tropical look.

Care at a glance

Sun-loving and easy going

Plenty of sun, free-draining soil and a little patience help this plant thrive. Here is what it needs.

  • Light

    Full sun

    The more sun the better. It tolerates some shade, but needs good light to flower well.

  • Water

    When dry to touch

    Water thoroughly, then let the top few centimetres of soil dry out. Once established, it copes well with dry spells. Avoid soggy soil.

  • Climate

    Light frost tolerant

    Plant in a warm, sheltered spot. Protect young plants from hard frosts and cold winds.

  • Soil

    Free-draining

    Add compost before planting. In heavy clay, plant on a raised mound to improve drainage.

  • Size

    Around 1 - 1.5m tall

    Forms a dense, clumping plant over time, with flower stems rising above the leaves.

  • Pets

    Toxic to pets

    Bird of Paradise is listed as toxic to cats and dogs. Signs are usually mild and mainly linked to the seeds and fruit, but keep it away from pets that chew plants.

Strelitzia reginae var. parvifolia, the small-leaved bird of paradise, named for its compact, spoon-shaped leaves.

Origins

Bird of Paradise comes from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where it grows in sunny coastal bush and thickets. The genus was named in honour of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and reginae means “of the queen”.

In the wild, its flowers are pollinated by sunbirds, which perch on the blue petals to reach the nectar. Young plants can take a few years to flower, but a settled, sun-soaked clump will reward you with bold blooms for years to come.

Questions

Something else? Get in touch, we're happy to help.

Is a Birds of Paradise 'Strelitzia Reginae Variety Parvifolia' easy to care for?

Yes. Once established, it needs little attention. Give it plenty of sun and free-draining soil, water during dry spells and remove old leaves and spent flower stems at the base.

How much light does a Birds of Paradise 'Strelitzia Reginae Variety Parvifolia' need?

Full sun is best for strong growth and flowering. In too much shade, it will grow slowly and flower less.

How often should I water a Birds of Paradise 'Strelitzia Reginae Variety Parvifolia'?

Water thoroughly, then let the top of the soil dry out before watering again. Established garden plants cope well with dry spells. Plants in pots dry out faster, and need less water in winter.

Does a Birds of Paradise 'Strelitzia Reginae Variety Parvifolia' need warmth/humidity?

It enjoys warm conditions and is well suited to sheltered and coastal gardens. It can cope with light frosts, but protect it from hard frosts. It needs no extra humidity.

Is a Birds of Paradise 'Strelitzia Reginae Variety Parvifolia' safe for pets?

No. Bird of Paradise is listed as mildly toxic to cats and dogs, mainly from the seeds and fruit, which can cause mild nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.

What people say

5.0 from 2 reviews

  • Bought this as a housewarming gift for a workmate, they reckon it's the nicest thing in the new flat.
    Ryan Scott ·
  • Repotted this into one of our favourite planters and it's thriving, such a lovely healthy plant on arrival.
    Tama Ellis ·
Delivery times

North Island

We aim to deliver orders received by 10am (Monday to Friday) to main North Island centres the next working day. Add 1-2 days for rural deliveries and outlying towns, as the courier may not deliver daily.

South Island

Deliveries to South Island main centres take 2-3 working days if received before 10am, plus 1-2 days for rural deliveries and outlying towns, as the courier may not deliver daily.

General

We are also unable to arrange delivery on weekends.

We will do our best to deliver on days specified, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee.