Origin
The Strelitzia nicolai, also known as the White Bird of Paradise, originally comes from South Africa. It's a plant species from the Strelitziaceae family. The plant is named after the Russian Tsar Nicholas I.

Characteristics
It's a tall plant with leather-like, glossy leaves. The leaves are dark green, lance-shaped and can grow up to two metres long. The plant produces striking flowers with white and blue hues, which resemble the head of a bird of paradise, hence the name. The flowers typically bloom in late winter or early spring.

Care
The Strelitzia nicolai needs a lot of light, but can't handle direct sunlight. The plant requires a lot of water, especially during the growing season, but it's also important to ensure good drainage capabilities to prevent waterlogging. This plant prefers nutrient-rich soil and can benefit from regular fertilizer application in the growing season. The Strelitzia nicolai can be placed outdoors in the summer, but needs protection against frost in the winter.

Planter


Planting system
This plant display is made up with a pot plant, filled with Vulkastrat and is equipped with a waterlevel indicator. Vulkastrat absorbs more water than regular soil and releases it gradually to the roots. Vulkastrat cannot shrink shut due to its coarse structure, which keeps the soil more airy and allows the roots to absorb enough oxygen. If the planter is not waterproof, a liner is used to make the plant display waterproof.