Majesty Palm
The Majesty Palm, also known by its scientific name Ravenea rivularis, is a large, showy, upright palm tree native to the coasts and islands of Madagascar. Its distinctive tropical appearance makes it a popular choice in landscaping and as a house plant. In landscapes it can reach over 30 feet tall, while house plants typically stay about 5-7 feet tall when grown in planters.
In general, Majesty Palms should be watered when the top few inches of soil are dry - about once every week or two in the growing season of spring and summer. In the winter, water slightly less often, about every two to three weeks depending on the indoors environment. When watering, be sure to give the pot a good soak to ensure that water is reached all the way to the bottom of the pot.
Majesty Palms prefer bright, indirect light and can tolerate low-light environments. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves, so be sure to find a location that won’t expose them to hot afternoon sun. Providing enough light is essential to maintain the dark green foliage.
Majesty Palms do best in warm temperatures, between 65-85°F (18–29°C). In colder temperatures, these houseplants will become less green and have slower growth. If you’re caring for them in winter, try to keep the temperature between 60-75°F (15–24°C). Additionally, they should not be exposed to cold drafts from windows, doors, or AC vents.
Majesty Palms prefer climates with a moderate to high humidity (50-60%). If you live in a dry climate or keep the heat on at night during the winter, your Majesty Palm’s leaves may dry out and brown tips may occur. You can help increase the humidity around your plant by misting it regularly or placing it on top of a humidity tray.
Majesty Palms prefer a light potting soil with equal parts potting mix, coarse sand, and peat. This combination provides good aeration and drainage to prevent over-watering and root rot. The soil should also contain slow-release fertilizer to ensure that the plant is getting the proper nutrition that it needs.
Majesty Palms should be fertilized with a balanced 8-8-8 fertilizer during its active growing season (spring and summer). Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1 tablespoon per square foot, and only water it into the soil after the fertilizer has been thoroughly mixed in. Do not fertilize your plant during the fall and winter as it is not actively growing. Too much fertilizer may cause burning of the leaves or root rot.
Majesty Palms may experience occasional nibbles from pests like scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. Treat pests with soapy water or leaf shine sprays and neem oil, or apply physical barriers like diatomaceous earth or sticky tape. Keep leaves clean and remove dead fronds to keep your Majesty Palm in top condition.
Majesty Palms should be repotted every two or three years to provide them with fresh soil and enough space to continue growing. Repotting should take place in spring when new growth starts to emerge, or early summer. When repotting, use a good-quality, fast-draining potting soil and a pot with drainage holes.
Majesty Palms have naturally dense foliage and do not require much pruning. If you would like to remove any brown or damaged fronds, do so in spring as the new fronds emerge, before they have fully extended. To clean up the shape and reveal growth within the canopy, lightly prune a few fronds here and there to open up the crown.
It's best to use an organic mulch such as bark to aid in moisture and nutrient retention in the potting soil. Spread the mulch a few inches away from the base of the pot to avoid rot and pests. Be sure to keep it a few inches below the foliage and 1-2 inches below the rim of the planter.
Majesty Palms can be propagated by seed or division. For seeds, start growing the seeds in a warm environment and keep in a light, humid spot until the plants emerge. Division involves carefully cutting apart or separating existing clumps of the plant and replanting the divided sections. Pay special attention not to damage or break the roots when handling the divisions.
Since Majesty Palms have a very thick, heavy trunk, they require a support to keep them upright. A wooden stake or metal rod should be driven into the potting soil and a string or cable can be tied around the bottom of the plant’s trunk a few inches above the base of the pot.
Majesty Palms may experience a rest period during the fall and winter where growth is halted and they go into a dormant state. It’s perfectly normal, so don’t be alarmed if your plant’s growth slows or stops during this time. Be sure to continue taking care of the plant, watering it when necessary, and lowering its exposure to direct sunlight in order to help it survive the rest period.
Majesty Palms are not toxic to pets or people, so they are safe to have around small children or animals.
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