Strelitzia: Strelitzia, the exotic plant that has become the new favorite plant for interior decor | Community

Rattan armchair. Sun mirror. Scandinavian sideboard. Balinese style rattan lamp. Vintage demijohn. The ‘Bird of Paradise’ plant…just picture it. This sequence describes current trends in interior design, including the living element: Strelitzia Or bird of paradise In the age of Instagram, the task of choosing a plant to decorate our homes has become inevitably conditioned by the bombardment of trending photographs of the moment. The best-designed films, advertisements, restaurants, bars and stores show us images of idyllic botanical landscapes that inevitably make us lean towards one type of plant or another.

Decades ago it was the striped dracaena (dracaena fragrant) And kentia palm (Hoya foresteriana). Later came the Swiss cheese factory, which gained great fame (delicious monstera), Her mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) And ZZ factory (Zamioculcas zamifolia). But lately, if there’s one plant that has conquered our hearts and homes with its tropical air, it’s this one Strelitzia.

“Ten years ago none of them were sold. In the last three years, demand has gone up dramatically,” says Pedro Tabernero, owner of the Flores Madrid flower shop in the Spanish capital. It was given free rein because many interior designers began using it in the decoration of luxury hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canary Islands, Maldives and other tropical destinations. Through magazines and social networks, this trend spread to Europe.

the Strelitzia It is a genus native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. With its large, dense green leaves reminiscent of those of a banana tree, it is known as the bird of paradise for its exceptional flower that resembles the head of a crested bird. “On an aesthetic level, its structure and foliage convey an exotic air that instantly transports us to a paradisiacal beach, making it perfect for infusing any space with the good vibrations of an eternal tropical spring,” says Natalia Saez Acorindo, landscape architect. Designer, book author and blogger.

Sex Strelitzia It has five types. The most common in decoration are S. From the queen —Small in size with orange flowers— s. Nikolai – It has white flowers and can reach a height of five meters when planted in the ground s. Augusta – The largest and most suitable for outdoor cultivation. This expert adds: “It is important to choose the types that suit the space of our home.”

Because of the softness of its leaves, the elegance of shortening its long petioles, and its majestic erect posture, Strelitzia Nikolai Ideal as a unique plant for interior decoration. Like a designer lamp or a work of art, its irresistible appeal creates a lush focal point in any space. “I recommend placing it in as spacious a room as possible so that it shows its large size; I also recommend placing it in a heavy pot so that the plant does not tip over as it grows and increases in weight and height. A very practical trick is to place the pot on a plate with wheels to facilitate its movement,” continues the landscape designer. As for the flower pot, the bird of paradise cries out for a decoration to match: “A large terracotta jar, a rattan pot lid, or a self-watering flower pot with modern lines are good choices.”

Torn leaves are one of the features that define the unique appeal of leaves Strelitzia. There is no need to be afraid of this beautiful imperfection. “Plants are amazing creatures. Over thousands of years of evolution, they have modified their structures to adapt to the environment. The bird of paradise, for example, is very flexible to withstand strong gusts of wind without breaking,” explains Saez. “Their leaves crack to adapt to the gusts of rain and wind in their tropical ecosystems.” The original. “If the leaves were as smooth as sails, the plant would be in danger of breaking.” Indoors, we tend to see it looking flawless, but outside the tattered leaves are part of its charm.

Although it is easy to care for, there are things that should not be overlooked to ensure its safety. “The most important thing is to place it in a very bright place where it receives direct sunlight in the morning or filtered light in the afternoon,” says Natalia Saez on her Instagram profile, where she has nearly 110,000 followers. For people who forget to water their plants, this is a very useful option because it requires the substrate to dry out between waterings. Spraying it is another recommended step in dry climates.

In fact, “the bathroom can be a very good place for a bird of paradise thanks to the moisture that builds up there.” “But it is essential that the bathroom is not dark or windowless, because light is vital,” Saez insists. In winter, it must be protected from frost. “In the Canary Islands, they are used to create hedges on roads, they grow wild and they are wonderful,” says Pedro Tabernero, noting that their natural habitat is temperate climates. “They also do very well on the Spanish coast, even in (rainy northwestern region) Galicia, where the winters are mild and the cold is wet,” he adds. However, keep in mind that Streliztias Those kept indoors and in a pot often do not grow flowers.

If the expression a Strelitzia Hard to beat on its own, combined with other species it will create an invaluable sense of colour, texture and liveliness in any home. One recommendation is to fill the corners with compositions of different plants of different heights.

In terms of price it is fair to say that Strelitziaespecially S. NikolaiIt is an expensive plant compared to other large species that are used to decorate interior spaces. “Plant prices grow exponentially as their size increases, and therefore their lifespan,” says Saez. “A miniature plant that costs 4 euros can reach 50 euros in average size. This is because they are difficult organisms to grow. That is why I think that paying 70 or 80 euros for a specimen of about two meters in length is justified. “Such an investment is profitable because “The larger it is, the more resistant it is and the easier it is to maintain.”

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