Complete guide to strelitzia nicolai care

Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the white bird of paradise or wild banana, is an iconic plant with large, paddle-like leaves and large, white flowers. It's a popular houseplant that can also be grown outdoors in warm climates. If you're looking for a dramatic plant to bring a tropical feel to your home or garden, a strelitzia nicolai is an excellent choice. Here's what you need to know to keep yours happy:

• Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry and check regularly in the summer months
• Give them plenty of bright, indirect light - the more they get, the bigger they'll grow
• Mist regularly to keep those enormous leaves looking fresh

Despite the name, this is not a banana tree. It gets its popular name because its leaves look very similar to those of a banana tree, not because it bears any yellow fruit. We all ours Nicolau to keep things simple. In the wild, this plant grows on hot, coastal parts of Africa and Mexico. It likes to bask in full sun, so when growing it at home keep it somewhere that enjoys lots of natural light and doesn’t get too cold. It takes a very long time for wild bananas to flower. Typically a plant won’t bloom until it’s at least six years old.

Strelitzia nicolai prefer bright, indirect light. Place it in a spot that gets plenty of light but is not in direct sunlight.

Water your strelitzia nicolai regularly and keep the soil evenly moist. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in the winter months when the plant is dormant.

Strelitzia nicolai prefer warm temperatures between 18-29°C. They won't enjoy temperatures below 10°C, so keep yours cosy and away from draughts in winter.

Strelitzia nicolai prefer high humidity levels. If the air in your home is dry, you can increase humidity by misting the leaves regularly or placing the plant on a humidity tray. If you have the space, a strelitzia nicolai can be add plenty of impact to a bright bathroom. Bathing in the jungle? Yes please.

Feed your strelitzia nicolai with a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month in spring and summer when it's growing. It's a big plant that needs food to grow.

Strelitzia nicolai prefer a well-draining, loamy soil. A mixture of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and potting soil is ideal.

A strelitzia nicolai shouldn't need much pruning, but you can remove any dead or dying leaves. If you need to prune it, do so in the spring or early summer.

Strelitzia nicolai can be propagated by division or from seed. You can learn more about propagation here.