White flower of Strelitzia caudata

White flower with bird-of-paradise blue bract

Credit: Bertrand leCoq

Strelitzia caudata in the wild

Credit: Tony Rebelo

Mountain Strelitzia in its natural environment

Credit: Tony Rebelo

Strelitzia caudata, the mountain bird of paradise

Strelitzia caudata makes its home in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, in the heart of the Chimanimani mountains. This member of the Strelitziaceae family displays its bird-of-paradise flowers among antelopes, buffalo and butterflies.

How to recognize Strelitzia caudata, the mountain bird of paradise?

In the wild, Strelitzia caudata reaches a height of eight meters. In pots and indoors, it doesn't exceed two meters. This herbaceous perennial has an upright habit. It has several stems that become woody over time. Careful observation reveals leaf scars.

Leaves grow in two rows, fan-shaped, at the top of the false trunks. Supported by a long, pinkish petiole, they measure up to two meters long and 80 centimeters wide. The gray-green leaf blades are tough but fragile. They tear in the wind, eventually resembling palm fronds.

Strelitzia caudata flowers from early spring. Several flowers appear on a boat-shaped purple spathe. White tinged with mauve, they are reminiscent of strelitzia alba and strelitzia nicolai. But it's possible to tell the difference between the three varieties. The petals of Mountain Strelitzia are more rounded than those of Strelitzia alba. What's more, each inflorescence has a single bract, whereas Strelitzia nicolai has multiple bracts. As with all Strelitzia, patience is required before admiring the flowers. The first bird-of-paradise-shaped flowers only appear after three years.

At the end of summer, fruits replace the flowers. A woody, three-lobed capsule encloses round, black seeds with a yellow aril.

Strelitzia caudata is a toxic plant. The harmful principles are mainly concentrated in the seeds and roots. If you live with pets or small children, be sure to keep the plant out of their reach.

Our maintenance tips

Your Mountain Strelitzia is not a diva. The plant needs plenty of light and regular watering. But for it to flower again, you'll need to overwinter it.

Watering

Strelitzia caudata like to keep their feet cool, but can't stand soggy soil. Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimetres.

To provide your plant with the nutrients it needs, give preference to rainwater. Avoid tap water, which is often too hard. Finally, to avoid damaging the roots, use water at room temperature.

If you use a saucer or planter, remove any stagnant water. It could rot the root system.

Spray

Fogging helps to increase humidity and prevent pest invasion. Spray the foliage with fresh water, such as rainwater. Avoid tap water. Too hard, it leaves white marks on the leaves.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Strelitzia caudata to give it more space.

Get a pot with a hole two or three centimetres larger than the previous one. In nature, strelitzia caudata likes to develop its roots deep down. Don't hesitate to choose a model that's taller than it is wide.

Line the bottom with a layer of clay balls or gravel to optimize drainage. Then add potting soil for flowering plants. Plant your Mountain Strelitzia in the center and fill with substrate. Tamp down without damaging the roots.

Cleaning

Cleaning the leaves with a clean, damp cloth removes dust and limits pest attacks.

Prune

Remove wilted leaves usinga clean, sharp tool.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

If temperatures permit, you can plant your Mountain Strelitzia in the ground.

Choose a sunny spot sheltered from the wind. Prepare a mixture of one third sand, one third soil and one third compost. Dig a hole wide and deep enough for your plant.

Place a bed of gravel at the bottom for drainage, followed by a layer of substrate. Plant your specimen in the center and fill in with your mixture. Tamp to eliminate air bubbles and water for the first time.

Seedling

Remove the stringy husk covering the seeds. Then soak them for 48 hours in water at 30°. Remember to change the water twice a day to keep it clean.

Prepare pots filled with potting soil for sowing and planting. Place three to ten seeds in each pot. Cover them with three centimetres of substrate.

Place the seedlings in a greenhouse, exposed to light. For the seeds to germinate, the temperature must be between 20 and 30° and the soil must remain moist. Remember to spray and aerate your seedlings for five minutes every day.

When the young shoots appear, you can leave them in the open air.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Carefully remove one of the plants from the ground at Mountain Strelitzia. Cut the root ball into several parts using your hands and a clean, sharp tool.

Prepare a pierced pot. Pour in a bed of clay balls or gravel to improve drainage, followed by a layer of potting soil for flowering plants.

Plant your plant in the center and fill in with substrate to within three centimeters of the rim. Tamp gently to remove air bubbles without damaging the roots.

Wintering

Strelitzia caudata need a winter rest period to flower. Reduce watering and install your plant in a room with a temperature of 10 to 15°, such as an unheated veranda or greenhouse.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Strelitziaceae - Strelitziaceae
Type	Bird of paradise - Strelitzia
Species	Mountain Strelitzia - Strelitzia caudata
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Large pot Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color