White Bird of Paradise, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
White bird of paradise grows into a banana-leaved clump 20 to 30 ft tall, and it does well in SW Florida's heat and humidity as a bold tropical screen, pool backdrop or corner accent. It likes sun to part shade, regular water and shelter from wind. We deliver and plant 7 and 15 gallon plants and field-grown clumps 10 to 13 ft tall.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade and wind shelter keep the leaves cleaner
- Water:
- Low to moderate once established; regular water while young and through the dry season
- Salt:
- Low to moderate; keep it off exposed waterfront
White Bird of Paradise sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| White Bird of Paradise | 15 Gallon, 7 Gallon, Field Grown 10'-13' |
White Bird of Paradise in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 20 to 30 ft tall in a clump about 8 to 10 ft wide
- Light
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade and wind shelter keep the leaves cleaner
- Water
- Low to moderate once established; regular water while young and through the dry season
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate; keep it off exposed waterfront
- Cold tolerance
- Leaves burn near 30°F and a hard freeze can kill the tops; coastal Lee is usually fine, protect young plants inland on frost nights
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 6 to 8 ft apart for a screen
- Florida native
- No, native to South Africa
- Botanical name
- Strelitzia nicolai
Where White Bird of Paradise works in a SW Florida yard
A white bird of paradise clump is the quickest way to get a tall, lush tropical backdrop: along a fence, at the corner of a lanai, or behind a pool. Set plants 6 to 8 ft apart for a privacy screen, or use one clump as a focal point.
Keep them out of windy corners where the leaves shred. Orange bird of paradise or heliconia works at the base, with areca palm nearby.
- Tall tropical privacy screens
- Pool and lanai backdrops
- Bold corner and entry accents
- Large tropical bed anchors
How our crew plants it
Dig the hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, planting at the same level the plant grew, on ground that drains. Space 6 to 8 ft apart for a screen and well off walls and pool cages. Brace field-grown clumps 10 to 13 ft tall through their first season, mulch 3 inches deep off the stems and water in.
Newly planted clumps need frequent water, and Lee and Collier rules allow extra watering for them before you settle onto your assigned days.
Care after planting
- Water young plants regularly and keep up steady moisture through the dry season, then settle onto your assigned days once the clump is established.
- Feed every three months in the growing season with a slow-release fertilizer that includes micronutrients, and skip nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 to September 30 in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island.
- Cut dead leaves and spent flower stalks off at the base, and thin out old stems that lean or crowd the clump.
- Cover young plants on frost nights if you are inland, and wait until spring to cut off frozen leaves.
What to watch for
- Wind shreds the big leaves into ribbons, which is normal but looks better in a sheltered spot.
- Caterpillars, scale and fungal leaf spot can mark the leaves, so cut off damaged ones and water at the base instead of overhead.
- Old clumps get tall and leggy and crowd walls, pool cages and neighboring plants, so give them room from the start.
White Bird of Paradise questions we hear
How tall does white bird of paradise get in Florida?+
Usually 20 to 30 ft tall in a clump about 8 to 10 ft wide, with old stems turning trunk-like as they age. Growth is moderate, so a 7 or 15 gallon plant takes years to get there, while the field-grown clumps at 10 to 13 ft give you height right away.
Will white bird of paradise grow in full sun?+
Yes, it grows from full sun to part shade. On an exposed lot, though, the big leaves tear in wind and the tips can brown, so morning sun with afternoon shade, or a spot sheltered by a fence or building, keeps the foliage in better shape. The plant also blooms best with good light.
Why isn't my white bird of paradise blooming?+
Young plants usually need several years of growth before they flower, and too much shade or too little feeding delays it. Mature clumps in good light bloom on and off, with white petals and a blue tongue coming out of a dark blue bract. Be patient with newly planted clumps.
How far apart should I plant white bird of paradise for privacy?+
Plant them 6 to 8 ft apart, center to center, for a continuous screen. They clump and widen as they age, so tighter spacing crowds the stems, while 10 ft apart leaves gaps for a few years. Keep the first row at least 6 to 8 ft off the house, lanai and pool cage.
Can white bird of paradise handle a freeze?+
Not well. Leaves burn around 30°F and a hard freeze can kill the tops, though a clump often resprouts from the base. That cold is rare near the coast, but inland, in places like Lehigh Acres, cover young plants on frost nights and wait until spring to cut off frozen foliage.
How much does it cost to plant a white bird of paradise?+
It depends on size, form and how many, from 7 gallon plants up to field-grown clumps 10 to 13 ft tall. Send us the address and what you want, and a planted price comes back by text, usually within the hour during the day. Half down holds the plants and a delivery day.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on White Bird of Paradise
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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