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Strelitzia: the complete care guide
Nicolai or reginae, indoors or in the garden: light, watering, repotting and the mistakes that brown the leaves.
6 min read
Published on February 24, 2026
Strelitzia is probably the most requested plant among our Casablanca and Marrakech clients, and one of the most misunderstood. Native to South Africa, it loves bright light, warmth and regular but not excessive watering. Two species to tell apart: Strelitzia nicolai, the banana-leaved giant for indoors, and Strelitzia reginae, the orange-flowered bird of paradise for the garden.
Plants mentioned here
Heat-resistantPet caution
Light: the number one factor
Indoors, place it within two metres of a large window, ideally south- or west-facing, with a few hours of direct sun. Too far away, new leaves come out smaller, stems stretch and the plant leans. Turn the pot a quarter turn every week for an even habit.
Watering and humidity
- Water when the top 3–4 cm of soil are dry: roughly once a week in summer, every 10–15 days in winter.
- Always empty the saucer: strelitzia hates standing water.
- Under air conditioning or chergui wind, mist the foliage twice a week and wipe leaf dust with a damp cloth.
Splitting leaves
Tears along the veins are normal: in the wild they let wind pass through. Dry brown edges, however, signal air that is too dry or irregular watering; soft yellow patches at the base, overwatering.
Need the full manual?
Every plant in the collection has a detailed care guide: water, light, year-round calendar and the cities where it thrives.
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