Plant guides / Bird of paradise
White bird of paradise guide
Strelitzia nicolai, also called giant bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, wild banana
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine
- Temperature
- 18 to 27°C (65 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining houseplant mix
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks in spring and summer
- Pets
- Treated as toxic to cats and dogs, with mild effects, like its orange cousin
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m (5 to 8 ft) tall indoors
- Propagation
- Divide the clump in spring
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes white bird of paradise different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the bird of paradise care guide.
What it is
White bird of paradise is a different species from the orange one. It is Strelitzia nicolai. It grows much bigger, with huge, paddle-shaped leaves on long stems. Outdoors in warm climates, it reaches 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 ft). Select-A-Plant lists it from the Costa Farms and Monrovia lines. Indoors, it is grown as a big leafy floor plant. It seldom blooms inside.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| White bird of paradise | Huge, wide, banana-like, gray-green | Wider, bigger leaves, and a trunk with age |
| Bird of paradise (orange) | Narrower, stiff, blue-green | Smaller plant with orange flowers |
| Banana plant | Thin, soft, tear with a touch | Soft leaves and a fast, leafy trunk |
Most “bird of paradise” floor plants sold as big leafy statements are the white kind.
Care differences
It gets big. Give it room and a large, heavy pot. Bright indirect light keeps the leaves upright. A few hours of sun are fine.
The leaves split along the veins as they age. That is normal. It helps them shed wind in the wild.
Grow it by division
Divide large clumps in spring. Each piece needs leaves and a good chunk of roots.
Pet safety
The ASPCA lists bird of paradise as toxic to cats and dogs, with mild effects. The white kind is treated the same way.
Buying it
White bird of paradise is common at garden centers and big box stores as a large floor plant. Look for upright leaves with few tears. Make sure the ceiling is high enough.