The white bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) goes by the alternate name giant bird-of-paradise, a name befitting its ability to grow up to 30 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 10 feet in an ideal natural habitat. In containers, however, the white bird-of-paradise stays smaller, growing 15 feet or less. The large 12-inch white, cream or pale grey flowers display a striking blue tongue. The flowers bloom periodically throughout the year.
The unique white bird grows in a clumping form and needs a large area in which to spread out and unfurl its big leaves.
The plant blossoms on and off during warm weather, with flowers that bear an astonishing resemblance to a bird's head.
The blooms, however, are less important to your landscape than the ultra-tropical look created by the beautiful foliage. The leaves look like an elite version of a banana plant.
White bird of paradise is a moderate grower to about 25 feet.
These tropical plants do best in Zone 10, though in Zone 9B you can grow them in a large containers that can be moved indoors during cold weather.
This plant does fine in sun to partial shade.
White birds or paradise are occasionally infested with scale insects, nematodes and the occasional leaf spot fungus, but these pests rarely warrants control measures.
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