Giant White Bird of Paradise

Giant White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) is what you reach for when a courtyard, pool surround or blank rendered wall needs presence rather than more shrubbery. It builds a clump of upright grey stems to about 6m tall and 3m wide, topped with huge paddle shaped leaves, and mature clumps carry white and blue flowers in a dark bract. It grows quickly, takes salt air and dry spells, and holds its shape with almost no attention. It is frost tender, so cold gardens need it in a pot they can move.

Why you'll love it

• Height without a root problem. It reaches 6m as a clumping perennial, not a tree, so you get screening at first floor height in a footprint of about 3m.
• Coastal and poolside proven. Salt tolerant, heat tolerant and comfortable in humidity, and the leathery leaves shrug off splash and wind.
• Fast to fill out. In a warm garden with water it sends up new stems every season, so a young plant becomes a real clump in two to three years.

Where it works best

Poolside and courtyards. The classic use. Place single plants where the leaf shadow falls on a wall, and allow at least 2m of clear space, because the clump widens with age.

Tropical screening. Planted 2m apart in a line it makes a lush informal screen. Expect gaps at ground level, so underplant if you need solid privacy.

Pots and containers. Very good in a large pot on a terrace, where the container also limits how far the clump can spread.

Growing Giant White Bird of Paradise in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the strongest, most upright growth, or part shade for larger softer leaves and a looser habit. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is frost tender, so cool inland and southern districts should grow it in a container under a verandah or in a warm protected courtyard.

Soil and water. Free draining ground, with compost worked through and a raised mound on clay. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer. Established plants are genuinely drought tolerant, though the leaves stay bigger and greener with regular summer water.

Feeding and tidying. Controlled release fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Cut old stems out at ground level to keep the clump open. The leaves split along the ribs in wind, which does no harm and is part of the look.

Pets. The foliage and seeds of this plant are considered toxic to cats and dogs. If your pets chew plants, choose something else for the areas they use.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown from 140mm packs of ten and 200mm packs of six through 250mm, 300mm and 400mm pots, then 45L, 100L and 200L. Small sizes are single fanned plants and the cheapest way to plant a run, but they take a few seasons to look the part. The 45L and larger sizes arrive as established multi stemmed clumps with real height on day one.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full tropical plant range
• Architectural plants for designer gardens
• Compare screening and privacy plants
• Sweet Viburnum, a frost hardy alternative

Common questions

How big does it really get?

About 6m tall and 3m wide in a warm garden with room to spread. In a large pot it stays considerably smaller, usually 2m to 3m, because the root run is limited.

Will it survive frost?

Not reliably. A hard frost burns the foliage and can kill young plants outright. In cold districts use a container you can shift to shelter over winter, or pick a warm courtyard wall.

How is it different from the orange bird of paradise?

Size, mostly. Strelitzia reginae is a knee to waist high clump with orange flowers. This one is a 6m plant with woody trunks and far larger leaves.