Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) is an extraordinary and rare plant that is native to the tropical regions of Madagascar. This plant can grow up to 100 feet in its native habitat however, it is very rare and is mostly grown as an indoor plant where restricting its roots keeps the plant to only 10 feet tall.
These plants are growing favorites for many indoor spaces due to their attractive foliage and unique appearance. However, Majesty’s palm care is tricky, and growing this plant is considered “challenging” by many experts. So let’s take a look at some of the key requirements and needs of Majesty Palm and how you can grow these plants and protect them from common indoor plant problems. But first here are some facts about Majesty Palm:
| Common Name | Majesty palm |
| Botanical Name | Ravenea rivularis |
| Plant Family | Arecaceae |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Mature Size | 10-100 ft. tall, 6–20 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial |
| Soil Type | Moist, Well-drained and Fertilized |
| Soil pH | Slightly Acidic |
| Native Area | Madagascar, Africa |
| Toxicity | None |
| Temperature Range | 65 to 85℉ (20-30℃) |
| Maintenance | Moderate care required |
Majesty Palm Care:
Growing these plants successfully can be hard and can not be done by beginners, however, it requires minimal care when it reaches a moderate height. There are many factors that you should consider while growing these plants such as heat, sunlight, watering, and fertilization. A plant with sufficient fertilizers but not enough light would start stretching in search of more. While plants that are given too much sunlight with less water will scorch. So the right balance between these necessities is important to master.
The Majesty palm will require time and effort other than these things until it reaches a mature stage. Now, let’s explore how you can grow these plants at home and follow proper Majesty palm care.
Soil
Majesty palms love slightly acidic soil and thrive in a pH level of 5.0, so you can opt for a peat-based soil mix. The soil should be well-drained and well-fertilized with the presence of sandy components. The right soil mix is important for better majesty palm care so you should perform a soil test before choosing to plant majesty palm. Even if you have added the plant to the soil conduct a test to find out missing nutrients which you can add later.
Light
Providing as much light as possible indoors for a majesty palm is ideal. Not enough light would cause the plant to stretch out and disrupt its growth. If this happens you should move your plant to a more sunny spot. Also, keep in mind that too much sunlight can scorch the plant so choose a partially shaded area, especially the one where afternoon sunlight gets filtered out for better majesty palm care.
Water
The majesty palm has a moderate watering requirement. It is advisable to water the plant once or twice a week as water logging these plants can lead to root rot. Keep the soil moderately moist and let it dry out between two watering sessions. Aim to water the base of the plant and avoid spraying the leaves as it prevents many fungal plant diseases. Keeping the right balance of watering is important as too much water can damage roots while less water can cause the loss of lower leaves of majesty palm.
Learn more on How To Water Your Plants.
Temperature and Humidity
The majesty palm grows well in tropical and subtropical conditions and it is a summer-loving plant. So, keep the temperature around the plant a little high in a range of 65 to 85℉ (20-30℃). Keep the plants protected from chilly winters and low temperatures as they aren’t winter plants.
These plants love high humidity and it helps them to reach their optimal growth. You can either use a humidifier or mist the plant every day to keep the humidity levels at 60% around the majesty palm. This should be done regularly, especially in dry climates.
Fertilizing
A fertilizer mix designed for cacti is a good option for a majesty palm. Use a liquid fertilizer and feed the plant once or twice during the growing season and never in the winter. Stop or reduce the amount of fertilizers if your plant starts to stretch out. Also, provide the plant with additional nutrients such as magnesium and supplemental iron to prevent yellowing and leaf loss.
Learn more on How To Fertilize Plants.
Pruning and Weeding Practices
The pruning duties of Majesty Palm Care don’t require much. You just need to remove any foliage that is damaged or has turned yellow or brown. Other than this there isn’t much pruning to do.
Weeds can steal the nutrients of your majesty palm and halt its growth so it becomes necessary to remove unnecessary weeds. To do that use weedicides instead of manually pulling them from the soil as forcefully removing them can damage the roots of your majesty palm.
Potting and Repotting
These are other important steps in majesty palm care. This plant needs to be repotted annually but repotting them every other year is a good idea since they are slow-growing plants. A large pot made up of clay or ceramic can help stabilize the plant and prevent it from tipping over. While repotting ensure to not damage the root ball of these plants.
Use a standard potting mix with peat moss in the new pot as the growing medium. Avoid repotting majesty palms in winter as the plant undergoes a stage of dormancy at that time. You can, however, move the plant to a sunny spot or indoors to protect it from cold weather.
Pest Problems
The majesty palm is vulnerable to many pests such as aphids, scales, and whiteflies. The main reason for infestation could be low humidity levels and it makes them susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs. Keep a check on your plants and if you find any sign of infestation choose a natural and safe option such as neem oil to tackle the situation.
Common Challenges With Majesty Palm
The Majesty palm care can be tricky and if not done well the plant will tell you that something is not right through the colors of its leaves. These include:
Leaves Turning Yellow
This is the most common problem with these plants and there could be many reasons for it such as:
- The plant is receiving insufficient light.
- The amount of watering is not right, it is either being overwatered or not watered enough.
- It needs more humidity.
- There is a deficiency of nutrients in the plant.
Leaves Turning Brown
There are three ways for leaves to turn brown. If the leaves are getting crispy brown then the plant is getting too much sunlight, so place it in a shaded area with less direct sunlight. If the leaves are turning brown from the tip then the plant is being under watered. And, if there are brown spots on the leaves it is likely to be a pest infestation.
FAQs
Is Majesty Palm Care Easy?
The Majesty palm care can be tricky if the plant is not meeting certain requirements. However, if you provide the plant with these requirements and get it to reach a moderate height then the plant will require low maintenance.
How Fast Can A Majesty Palm Grow?
The Majesty palm plant grows about a foot every year and after reaching four to six feet, the growth rate slows down.
Is There A Difference Between Majesty Palm And Areca Palm?
The main difference between these plants is that Areca palm has a more relaxed and droopy foliage meanwhile Majesty palm has sharp fronds. Moreover, the areca palm is comparatively easier to care for than the Majesty palm.
How Can I Get My Majesty Palm Plant To Bloom?
If you are planning to grow these plants indoors then it would be very difficult to see these plants reach their blooming stage as the nutrients in the soil and inadequate pot size stop these plants from reaching that stage. So, to witness the beautiful and rare blooms of these plants you need to plant them outdoors and provide all the necessary conditions that these plants require.
Conclusion
The Majesty palms are a very liked and cherished choice of houseplant for many plant lovers. Moreover, the rarity of these plants makes them a precious collection in any garden. However, these plants do demand a price for their specialty as majesty palm care is very tricky and challenging for many plant lovers, and maintaining these slow-growing indoor plants requires a lot of time and effort.
Raghav is a talented content writer with a passion to create informative and interesting articles. With a degree in English Literature, Raghav possesses an inquisitive mind and a thirst for learning. Raghav is a fact enthusiast who loves to unearth fascinating facts from a wide range of subjects. He firmly believes that learning is a lifelong journey and he is constantly seeking opportunities to increase his knowledge and discover new facts. So make sure to check out Raghav’s work for a wonderful reading.
