Strelitzia Nicolai

Strelitzia Nicolai plants for your home

The Strelitzia Nicolai, also known as the bird of paradise, is a popular and impressive houseplant from the Strelitzia family. This striking houseplant originally comes from South Africa and stands out thanks to its large, glossy leaves with their characteristic splits and brown edges.

This Strelitzia can reach impressive heights and comes in a range of sizes. Whether you go for a compact plant of 90cm, ideal for filling an empty corner at home, or an imposing specimen of up to 250cm that makes an immediate statement, the Strelitzia Nicolai is always an impressive eye-catcher.

Choosing the perfect Strelitzia Nicolai? Here is how

• Size: choose a compact plant for a smaller space, or go for a large Strelitzia Nicolai if you have the room. Allow for 30/40cm of growth a year.
• Light: give it a bright spot, ideally by a south-facing window.
• Pot and drainage: choose a decorative pot with good drainage to prevent root rot.
• Age & growth: small, young plants grow faster, older plants are more stable but bigger.

Is the Strelitzia Nicolai air-purifying?

The Strelitzia Nicolai helps create a fresh, healthy living space. By removing harmful substances from the air and producing oxygen, this plant is not only beautiful but does your indoor climate some good as well.

Is a Strelitzia Nicolai toxic?

The Strelitzia Nicolai is mildly toxic. The sap released when you prune it can irritate the skin, and eating parts of the plant is harmful, so take care around pets and small children. Would you rather have a non-toxic houseplant? Then have a look at our collection of pet-friendly plants.

Why are the leaves of my Strelitzia Nicolai curling?

Leaves can curl because of too little or too much water, low humidity, temperature swings, a lack of nutrients or pests, among other things. Water consistently without leaving the plant standing in water, raise the humidity by misting it with a plant mister, keep the temperature between 18-27°C and check the plant regularly for pests.

Can a Strelitzia Nicolai flower in the living room?

As a houseplant the Strelitzia Nicolai has no flowering season, but if you love flowers there is a beautiful alternative: the Strelitzia Reginae. This variety is known for its striking flowers and can start to bloom at around eight years old. During that flowering period the characteristic, exotic flowers that give the bird of paradise its name appear. After flowering, though, it can take up to twelve months before new flowers show. With the right care and a little patience you can enjoy this special plant's spectacular blooms for years.

Caring for the Strelitzia Nicolai at a glance

The Strelitzia Nicolai is a relatively easy houseplant, though it does need some attention to grow at its best. This tropical plant thrives at a minimum temperature of 15°C, with plenty of light (at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight a day) and moist but free-draining potting soil.

• Watering: keep the potting soil slightly moist, especially in summer. Do not let water stand in the pot, to avoid root rot. Misting the leaves regularly raises the humidity and keeps the plant healthy.
• Light & temperature: put the plant in a bright spot, preferably at a south-facing window. Avoid draughts and sudden temperature changes.
• Repotting: repot in spring when the plant outgrows its pot. Choose a pot about 20% bigger than the last one and make sure it drains well.
• Pruning: remove old leaves by cutting them off close to the trunk. Watch out for the toxic sap and wear gloves if you prefer.
• Plant food: from March to September, give extra plant food at the recommended dose. In autumn and winter you do not feed it at all.

Preventing diseases and pests

Mealybug is a common pest on the Strelitzia Nicolai. You can wipe these little white balls away easily with a damp cloth. Misting the leaves regularly helps keep pests at bay and the plant clean.

Ordering a Strelitzia Nicolai at Green Bubble

At Green Bubble we work closely with growers to guarantee freshness and quality. Order your Strelitzia Nicolai easily online and have it delivered to your door. With our Personal Plantshopper on WhatsApp we will happily help you choose the perfect plant, tailored entirely to what you are after. Fancy a large Strelitzia? Join the Green Bubble!