Catherine | White Bird of Paradise

Meet Catherine. Confident, expressive, and happiest in the sunshine, she brings tropical grandeur to the Character Garden. Her broad green leaves make an entrance long before she ever considers flowers.

Catherine likes the brightest seat in the house and enough space to stretch. Give her abundant light, warmth, and a steady watering routine, and she’ll gradually turn her corner into a leafy retreat. She appreciates attention, especially when it involves wiping her leaves and checking the soil before reaching for the watering can.

She has big ambitions and the foliage to match. Leave room for her to grow.

“Darling, I’ll take the window seat. And possibly the whole corner.”

Catherine is a White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia nicolai. Mature plants can produce striking white-and-blue flowers, but indoors she is primarily grown for her dramatic foliage. Indoor flowering is uncommon and is not guaranteed.

Care Level: 5/10 — A Sunshine-Loving Statement

Light: Very bright light. Introduce direct sunshine gradually and protect from scorching afternoon sun.

Water: Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry before watering thoroughly. Drain excess water. Avoid leaving the root ball completely dry for prolonged periods, and reduce watering during slower winter growth.

Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix in a container with drainage holes.

Humidity: Average household humidity is usually suitable; extra humidity can help in very dry rooms.

Temperature: Warm, steady conditions. Protect from frost, cold drafts, and heating or cooling vents.

Maintenance: Wipe leaves gently, rotate the pot regularly, and feed monthly during active spring and summer growth according to fertilizer instructions.

Growth: A large-growing plant that needs increasing space as she matures.

Scientific Name: Strelitzia nicolai

Common Name: White Bird of Paradise / Giant Bird of Paradise

Plant Class: Liliopsida

Plant Type: Tropical evergreen perennial

Location: Indoor; outdoor in suitable warm, frost-free climates.

Color: Green foliage; white-and-blue flowers on mature flowering plants.

Pet Friendly: No—keep out of reach of pets and children; not for consumption.

Catherine’s Golden Rule: “Bright light, warm surroundings, and room for my ambitions.”

Important Note 

What to Expect When Catherine Arrives

You’ll receive a live White Bird of Paradise in a 6-inch nursery pot. Each plant is unique, so height, leaf count, fullness, and appearance may vary. A decorative planter is included only if explicitly stated.

This listing is for a foliage plant. Flowers are not promised on arrival. Any flower photos show mature blooms for reference; indoor flowering is uncommon.

Some natural splitting along the edges of mature leaves can occur. Minor cosmetic shipping damage is also possible, but significant damage or an unhealthy-looking plant should be reported for review.

Please inspect Catherine promptly upon delivery. If something looks wrong, contact hello@ilexatelier.com within 24 hours with your order number and clear photos of the whole plant, affected areas, shipping box, and shipping label.

Keep the plant and packaging while we review your concern. Do not discard the plant or perform a scratch test unless instructed.

Live plants are not eligible for change-of-mind returns. See our Return Policy for arrival concerns and available resolutions. This reporting request does not limit rights provided by applicable law.