Giant Bird of Paradise

5 Gallon

$49.00

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Giant Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia nicolai

A majestic, tree-sized tropical with giant leaves and spectacular bird-like white flowers.

$49.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Giant Bird of Paradise is a monumental and architectural tropical plant that creates an unforgettable statement with its towering, banana-like foliage and spectacular, exotic flowers. It forms a dense clump of massive, paddle-shaped leaves that are a rich, glossy blue-green on incredibly long, sturdy petioles. Mature plants produce breathtaking, large flowers that resemble the head of a tropical bird, with a white "body" and a dramatic dark blue "tongue." While it requires significant space, it is the ultimate choice for adding a bold, jungly elegance to large, bright atriums or frost-free landscapes.

Majestic, Large-Scale Foliage: Produces enormous, banana-like leaves on tall stems, creating a dense, tropical canopy.
Spectacular White & Blue Bird-Like Flowers: Mature plants bear large, striking flowers that are a true horticultural marvel.
Tree-Like Stature: Can grow to the size of a small tree (20-30 ft outdoors), forming multiple upright "trunks" from its base.
Prefers Bright, Filtered Light & Space: Thrives in bright, indirect light indoors or partial shade outdoors; needs ample room to spread.
Slow to Flower Indoors: Typically flowers only when mature and given optimal conditions, often taking many years as a potted plant.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Large, banana-like elliptical leaves with leathery blue-green blades. Produces dramatic white and blue bird-shaped blooms (larger than common Bird of Paradise), though rarely flowers in containers. Forms a tree-like fountain shape.
Mature Height: 25-30 ft
Mature Width: 12-15 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Partial shade to full sun (outdoors); bright indirect light (indoors)
Key Advantages:Bold tropical statement plant,Excellent shade provider,Low-maintenance for its size,Pest-resistant
Landscape Uses:Tropical garden focal point,Poolside planting,Large container specimen,Courtyard shade tree
Seasonal Interest:Flowers: Fall to winter (mature outdoor plants),Foliage: Year-round

Q: How can I encourage it to flower?A: Flowering requires maturity (often 5+ years),ample root space(it flowers best when slightly pot-bound but not severely restricted),bright light(several hours of direct sun indoors, or dappled sun outdoors), and consistent warmth and feeding during the growing season.