About
A perennial or annual from aquatic and wetland habitats with both finely divided, submerged leaves and floating, rounded, peltate, lobed leaves, and white, five-petalled flowers above the water surface in spring and summer. An interesting aquatic perennial for a garden pond or slow-moving stream.
About the genus
Strelitzia are evergreen perennials, forming a clump of long-stalked, linear to broadly oblong leaves, with stiff stems bearing beak-like bracts from which strikingly coloured flowers open in succession
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial, Houseplants
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost, in a large container, in full light with shade from hot sun. During growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Top dress annually and repot every second year. Water sparingly in winter and ventilate when temperatures exceed 20°C. Plants may take a few years to bloom and will only do so if given adequate levels of light and feed. They will generally flower better if slightly pot-bound. See Strelitzia cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division of rooted suckers in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free