The ‘Majesty Palm,‘ or Ravenea rivularis, is a magnificent houseplant that may reach heights of up to 10 feet (3 meters) when cultivated indoors and as high as 90 feet (nearly 30 meters) in its natural habitat.
When it comes to their native environment, Majesty Palms are sadly threatened because there is only a tiny area where they can be found in the wild.
They are native to Madagascar, where they thrive in hot, humid environments that can be challenging to recreate in an artificial environment.
As a result, Ravenea rivularis may be picky about their conditions if cultivated as an indoor potted plant.
However, if you can get past their moodiness and keep yours pleased, they make a stunning ornamental plant and are safe to have around pets because they are non-toxic.
They skyrocketed to fame in the ’90s as popular houseplants in the United States and are now routinely found in the homes of seasoned green thumbs everywhere.
Caring for a Majesty Palm
Growing these plants can be challenging because they require precise temperatures, amounts of light, water, and fertilizer.
All of them need to be in harmony, or otherwise, and Your Majesty Palm can start to take on a sad appearance. Too much sunlight, for instance, might cause leaf scorch and browning.
The leaves may dry out and become brown if the air is too dry; remember that the Palm is native to a warmer, humid climate.
But if your Palm’s leaves start to turn yellow, you’re overwatering it. In addition, it should be kept out of any drafty areas of the house because it is sensitive to the cold.
Majesty Palms, although slow growing, have a high potential for growth in size. Overcrowding can harm a plant’s health, so give yours plenty of room to flourish. A
bout once a year, or whenever you notice new roots emerging in the dirt, you should repot your plant.
Another reason to make sure your Ravenea rivularis isn’t left too dry is that it may attract pests if it’s not kept in humid enough circumstances. If the air in your home is dry, a humidifier or pebble tray might help your Palm thrive.
They can also produce flowers and fruits in their natural environment, although it is improbable that this will occur with a Majesty Palm that has been nurtured inside.
It’s interesting to note that palm trees, including the Majesty Palm, are not actually trees; instead, they are grasses.
This is one of the many interesting facts regarding palm trees. Even though they are much larger than the ordinary grass found in gardens, they tend to grow much higher than they do wider.
Watering Your Majesty PalmIndoors
In general, you should give the indoor Majesty Palm plant that you have one thorough watering per week. Before watering the plants, check to see if the soil is dry.
If the top inch of soil is parched, provide the plant with a healthy dose of water. The surplus water should be allowed to drain through the bottom of the pot, and any water still in the saucer should be discarded.
Compared to most other houseplants, the watering needs of majesty palm trees are typically more frequent. These tropical plants are most successful when planted in soil that retains moisture over time.
If the water is clean and the roots can breathe, Ravenea rivularis trees are happy to grow in damp soil and frequently grow naturally near streams.
While allowing the top inch or so of soil to dry out is reasonable, you should try to prevent the remaining soil from totally drying out.
Water the plant frequently from the beginning of spring to the beginning of fall but cut back on the frequency of your watering throughout the winter months because the days are brief.
If the top layer of soil becomes crusty over time, use a chopstick or even a wooden skewer and punch holes in the crusty top few inches of dirt.
This will prevent water from pouring down the edges of the dried-out root ball and into the surrounding soil instead of soaking it.
The amount of time between waterings you will need to give your Majesty Palm plant will be determined by a few things, such as the size of the container and the type of soil it is growing in.
If you have a little pot, you will need to water the plant more frequently than if you use a large pot because it won’t be able to hold as much water.
In addition, if the soil in your yard is predominantly sandy rather than loamy or clay-based, water will run off it more quickly.
Watering Your Majesty PalmOutdoors
If you have a Majesty Palm plant grown outside, it will require more water throughout warmer days than one growing indoors.
This is especially the case if the plant is growing in a container that is not very large. Plants kept outside should be given water either once or twice a week, based on the temperature and how dry the air is.
Once more, you should check to see if the soil is dry before you water it. If it is, you need to give your plant a healthy dose of water.
The frequency of watering your outdoor majesty palm plant will depend, just as it does for interior plants, on the type of soil in which it is grown. If your soil is highly sandy, it will drain more swiftly than if it’s loamy or heavy in clay.
Effects of Improper Watering on Majesty Palm
If you give your majesty palm plant too much water, the leaves will begin to turn yellow, and the plant will get floppy. Additionally, brown patches could appear on the leaves.
If you believe you are giving your plant an excessive amount of water, reduce the number of times per week you water it and examine the dirt before providing any additional water.
If you don’t give a Majesty Palm plant enough water, the leaves will dry out and develop a brownish-crisp color. It’s also possible that the plant will stop growing.
If you fear you aren’t giving your plant enough water, increase the frequency of your watering and ensure that the soil stays moist.
It is not necessary to water your majesty Palm every single day. The plant may perish because the roots become rotten.
These plants perform best when they have access to a lot of water, yet their roots also need to be able to breathe. Watering the plant once or twice weekly is sufficient in most growth situations.
During a heatwave, watering trees located outside and in sunny places daily may be beneficial, but in general, watering plants daily is not recommended.
How To Tell if the Plant Is Getting an Adequate Amount of Water
A few indicators might help you determine whether the Majesty Palm plant in your care is receiving adequate water.
The first thing you notice is the hue of the leaves. If they are green, it indicates that the plant is thriving. New growth is something else that you should look out for.
If you notice that your plant is sprouting new growth, then it is most likely receiving the appropriate amount of water. Finally, examine the ground. If the soil is moist, the plant receives the appropriate water.
Tips for ProperlyWatering the Majesty Palm
Young majesty palms cultivated as houseplants in containers do not have a trunk but a wreath of foliage at the bottom of the plant.
When you need to water your majesty palms, pour water over the soil around the plant’s base. It is important to remember that pouring water around or into the top of the plant can cause it to decay.
Rot is widespread near the tips of young fronds, which means that they are at risk of being destroyed by it even before they have the chance to sprout and unroll.
It makes sense to refrain from entirely soaking the bottom of the fronds, given that these trees have a modest growth rate and don’t produce a significant number of fronds annually.
Our Final Thoughts
The Majesty plant is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any room in the house. The majesty palm is a popular houseplant that matures over time, expanding in size and acquiring a lusher appearance with proper care.
If you give it the right amount of light, water, moisture, and fertilizer, certainly, it will grow quite healthily and with little effort on your part.
This Palm has a tropical look, but also — nearly magically — appears to fit well in close to each other style, from cutting edge contemporary to the pleasant and comfortable cabin. It is a shade-tolerant palm.
A bit of a chameleon when it comes to enhancing the ambiance, this Palm adds a touch of the tropics to the decor, but it also — almost effortlessly — seems to blend in with just about any other style.
Read more:
- Majesty Palm Repotting: A Full Guide
- Majesty Palm Leaves Curling
- Majesty Palm Brown Tips: Causes and Solutions
Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.