Natal wild banana

Strelitzia nicolai

Giant white bird of paradise(Eng.)

1/3

Strelitzia nicolai is useful for creating a lush, tropical effect. It can be used to offset hard landscaping, buildings and pools. It withstands salty coastal winds, making it a good feature plant or screen for coastal gardens. Because of the size it achieves, plant it towards the back of borders or as showstopper!

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Spring

Fruiting time

Summer, Autumn

Harvesting

Flowers can be harvested once they have opened and will last a few days in a vase.

Propagation

Seed

To grow from seed, remove the orange arils and sow seed in a mixture of equal parts river sand and compost. Cover with a thin layer of compost and keep moist.

Division

Divide root suckers in spring and plant into pots or directly into the soil.

Special features

Attracts birds

Flowers provides nectar that attracts sunbirds, especially Olive Sunbirds and Grey Sunbirds. Vervet and Samango monkeys feed on the soft part of the flowers as well as on the orange aril of the seeds.

Drought resistant

The plant is is fairly drought tolerant once established.

Pot plant

It can be planted in large pots and will grow happily for a few years until it becomes too big for the pot.

Indoor plant

It can be grown indoors as a foliage plant, but it will most probably not flower. It needs high levels of light.