Plants enrich our living environment and overall promote a healthier lifestyle. Indoors, they can improve air quality and reduce stress. While outdoors, they support biodiversity and create calming spaces.
Majesty Palms (Ravenea Rivularis) with their elegant tropical appearance, make themselves one of the popular choices as indoor and outdoor plants. Although they can be more challenging, nonetheless, they can thrive anywhere if given the right care.
In this guide, we will discuss minutes of Majesty palm plant care to help your palm friend grow and flourish for years to come.
Whether you’re just starting out or already an expert, we are here to make your plant journey easy. Let’s get growing!
Majesty Palm Growth and Overview
Originating from Africa, one characteristic of Majesty palm is its slow growth rate, making it a highly desirable houseplant. So, you don’t need to worry about it outgrowing your ceilings.
This palm tree typically grows about one foot a year, which means minimal repotting. The rate of expansion slows down even more once it reaches four to six feet, as the energy is then redirected to focus on developing deep roots.
Overall, Majestic palms generally grow to 10 to 12 feet (3.66 m) tall while they are indoors. However, in a natural state, as its roots are free to spread out, these plants can often attain a height of 98 feet (29.87 m).
Majesty palms can be grown anywhere because they are adaptable to their surroundings. In case you have a beautiful big space outside your home and are planning to grow it out there, then a full-grown Majesty Palms would be a breathtaking site.
| Scientific Name | Ravenea rivularis |
| Common Names | Majesty palm, majestic palm |
| Native | Africa |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Sun Exposure | Partial |
| Mature Size | 6–20 ft. wide, 10-100 ft. tall |
| Hardiness Zones | 10-11 (USDA) |
| Soil Type | Acidic, Moist, and well-drained |
Majesty Palm Care: Growing Tips for Both Indoors and Outdoors
Palm care starts the same day it begins germination. They require a little more attention as compared to other plants, vegetative growth afterward.
If you provide the right amount of temperature, light, water, humidity, and fertilizers, the Majesty palm tree can perfectly grace any space with its long green regal fronds. So, go ahead and read the following tips for Majesty Palm Plant Care to achieve the elegance it provides.
Get the Right Amount of Light
If you are new to taking care of plants, know that getting the right amount of light is very important for various plant species. Some houseplants require no to minimal sunlight; however, Palm Majesty is known to thrive best with sunlight. Just make sure you put it in a shaded area to prevent direct exposure.
Sunlight is crucial to achieving proper Majesty Palm indoor care. We would say that before bringing your greeny friend home, make sure you have proper space for it with direct exposure to sunlight. A happy Majesty palm requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.
- Indoors: To master the Majesty palm plant care indoors, place it near a window where it can receive direct, bright light. They can also tolerate dappled light. Nevertheless, avoid places that are dull with low light or basically where sun rays are not reachable.
- Outdoors: If you are planning to have Majestic Palm Care outside, it will be a bewildering space for the tree. Being a tropical plant, they grow to their best potential outside. Considering places like a patio, deck, balcony, or garden? You should first acclimate it to the sun. You can do this by placing it in a spot with some shade for about a week and then slowly giving it more sunlight each day.
Soil
Good-quality soil is the most crucial aspect for any plant to thrive. The soil provides a foundation for the roots and holds the essential nutrients for their growth.
Majesty palms enjoy a well-draining, acidic soil that’s light and airy. To avoid water-logged roots, plant the tree in a dry environment with good drainage. We suggest you use a standard potting mix with added peat moss or make your mix with peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. Cactus potting mixes are also a great option for them.
Keep in mind that they are acid-loving plants, so maintain a pH level as low as 5. Another suggestion we have for you is to incorporate ingredients such as perlite or lava rocks to enhance soil aeration.
Water Well
Getting the right water needs for the Majesty Palms plant can be tricky at first, but once you understand the moisture requirements, it is quite simple.
The trick lies in keeping the pot evenly moist while making sure it is not waterlogged. When you water the plant, make sure not to oversaturate the soil. Let the excess water strain out, as we don’t want the plant to sit in water.
Self-Watering Pot
One of the easiest and most helpful tricks you can apply is by investing in a self-watering pot. Self-watering can turn out to be a lifesaver in maintaining healthy palm care indoors if you are someone who has a busy schedule. Check the reservoir once a month, and if it’s empty, fill it up, and that’s all!
Create a Self-Watering Pot
In case you can’t get a self-watering pot, water the palm plant every 7–10 days, or up to 14 days depending on climate and seasonality. Water more frequently in brighter light and less often in lower light. Now, how can we make sure that Majesty Palm receives the proper amount of hydration?
Check for signs of underwatering or overwatering: Browning fronds indicate underwatering while yellowing fronds indicate overwatering. Besides, you can take the below-given tests to check if your plant is ready for watering:
- Finger test or knuckle test
Looking at the surface doesn’t provide you with a fuller picture of the soil moisture content. By inserting a finger into the soil, you can simply check the moisture level. If it is dry a couple of centimeters, it’s time to water. However, if your finger comes out clean or the soil feels dry, it’s probably time to water.
- Squeeze a handful of soil together
You can test the moisture in the soil by holding a handful of soil together. If most of it holds together and a few crumbs fall away, then it’s perfectly moist. But if the soil is holding its shape and you can shape it into something, then it’s too wet. However, if nothing holds together, then it’s too dry, and you need to water the plant immediately.
Use a moisture meter and follow the gauge if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. Your plants will thank you for making this investment.
Humidity and Temperature
Majesty palms prefer consistently moist soil and high humidity levels. They can tolerate average humidity, but they thrive in above-average moisture. Majesty palm plant care requires temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.44 °C). Tropical by nature, they require a minimum relative humidity of 50%.
If you live in a dry climate, you can use a humidifier or pebble tray to increase the humidity around your plant. Furthermore, low humidity levels can draw out insect pests. In case you don’t have a humidifier, then a humidity tray can be your best budget-friendly option.
You can create your very own humidifier; just get a wide and shallow tray. Fill it either with gravel or sand and water. Place it below the Majesty plant pot so that the pot stays above the water. As moisture in the tray starts to evaporate, it will keep the air around your Majesty palm plant moist. This method also works well for standalone plants or a few plants.
Fertilizers: Feed Majesty Palm well
For the Majesty Palm indoor plant, it’s important to fertilize every two weeks and for the outdoors, once a month is usually enough to keep it thriving. All we can say is that the essential nutrients are indispensable for palm trees to grow and flourish.
We recommend using weak liquid fertilizer one or two times during the growing season (spring and summer) and completely avoiding it during winter. Always use the NPK ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), as these will undoubtedly remain the big three heads in charge of plant nutrition.
Remember that the Majesty palm plants, whether you are growing them outdoors or indoors, will remain inevitably outside their natural environment. When they are near a tropical beach, the rich soil provides them with all the nutrients required. However, while they are in your living rooms or garden, they rely on you for their nutritional needs.
Where Should I Place My Majestic Palm Tree?
Whether you are planning to get the Majesty palm plant indoors or outdoors, or you are simply confused, we would suggest you put it in a place where it can be easy for you to maintain.
Indoors
If you are planning to make a place for Majesty palm care indoors, make sure to put it in a place where your palm friend can get indirect exposure to sunlight for at least 6–8 hours. And make sure you follow the watering and fertilization tips that are discussed above.
Outdoors
Placing a Majesty’s palm outside offers several benefits. In case you are planning to move it outdoors, don’t forget to check the right environmental surroundings. Planting it outdoors promotes healthier growth, improves air circulation, and enhances your outdoor space with its lush, tropical look.
To place a palm outside, choose a location with bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade. It thrives best in areas that are sheltered from strong winds and direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its leaves.
Common Pests and Other Problems with Palm Majesty Tree
Pests
Pests such as spider mites, scale, and mealybugs are sometimes attracted to Majesty palms. These should be controlled by frequent monitoring of the plant and cleaning its fronds with a damp cloth. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat infestations, as they are the proven way to get rid of gnats.
In fact, with proper care, such as adequate watering and good air circulation, you can avoid pest infestations entirely.
Yellowing leaves
This is often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or lack of nutrients. Ensure the soil is well draining and always check the tip of the leaves before watering as they need to be dry.
Yellowing of leaves can sometimes occur due to direct exposure to sunlight. These plants require 6–7 hours of daily indirect sunlight, however direct exposure to sunlight can damage their fronds.
Brown Leaf Tips
This can be due to low humidity, underwatering, or over-fertilizing. It may also be a sign of salt buildup in the soil. Increase the humidity by watering more consistently, and flush the soil occasionally to prevent salt accumulation.
How to Propagate Majesty Palm?
Propagating Majesty palm can be very tricky and difficult. The most common method used for propagating Majesty plant is through seeds, as the plant doesn’t easily propagate from cuttings or offshoots.
Start by acquiring some fresh seeds, as these palm seeds are known to lose their viability very quickly. The seeds need to be warmed in water for about 24 hours, after which they can be planted in soil that drains well at a depth of about 1 inch (2.54 cm). Water the soil as needed and place the pot in a warm and humid area, preferably in temperatures of between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.44 °C).
Germination will take about 1 to 3 months, and the young plant will have a slow rate of growth.
Sometimes, these palms produce pups, which develop at the trunk’s base. If so desired, these pups may be snipped off and transplanted. Snip it off gently while ensuring it has been rooted, and move it into another pot with draining soil.
It is important to note that propagating this palm is not an easy task and does take quite some time. This palm, be it from seeds or cuttings, has a slow growth rate and may take several years to mature.
Whether to Prune or Not to Prune the Majesty Palm? (Indoor and Outdoor)
As we all know, Majesty Palms are known for their elegant, tropical appearance, but maintaining this beauty often raises questions about pruning. Unlike many plants, they do not need regular pruning and can be sensitive to over-trimming.
Majestic palms do not naturally require pruning, as they shed old fronds on their own. However, there are times when light pruning can help with appearance and health.
Here’s a closer look at when and why to prune majesty palms—both indoors and outdoors.
- Indoors: Prune throughout the year, but only when necessary. Indoors, majesty palms tend to grow slower, so excessive pruning can disrupt their natural growth.
- Outdoors: Pruning can be done as needed, particularly in spring or fall. Outdoor palms grow faster than indoor palms, so they may need slightly more maintenance.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Majesty Palms: Key Differences
Are you confused about whether to put Majesty Palm outdoor or indoor? The key differences below would indefinitely help you figure out which is the best space.
- Light: Indoor palms require filtered light, while Majesty Palm Care outdoor thrives in partial shade.
- Watering: Indoor palms require less frequent watering than outdoor palms due to indoor humidity levels.
- Temperature: Outdoor palms in tropical or subtropical regions can handle varying temperatures, while indoor palms require consistent warmth.
- Humidity: Indoor palms may need additional humidity assistance, unlike outdoor palms, which benefit from natural air moisture.
Final Thoughts
Majesty Palms can beautifully decorate any space because of their elegant foliage and tropical vibes. But they require more effort than average houseplants, and all the trick lies in learning how to care for them properly.
We hope that if you follow the above useful Majesty palm brown tips, you can easily become the owner of a lush, green plant that brings life and serenity to your home or garden.
Can Majesty palm plant survive winter?
Yes, if given proper care and exposure to light, Majesty plants can survive winter. Ideally, Majesty palm plants are tropical so ensure enough light exposure and humidity while they are indoors during winter.
Can Majesty plants grow in the shade?
Majesty palm plants are very well-known for growing to the fullest in partial shade. Make sure the plant is exposed gradually to sunlight. Direct exposure to light rays can damage the plant fronds.
Do Majesty palms grow better indoors or outdoors?
Majesty Palms thrive best outdoors, especially in warmer zones like 10 and 11. But with the right care, they can also do well indoors. In the U.S., they are highly adopted as houseplants only.
What is the Dwarf Majesty Palm Tree?
Dwarf Majesty Palm is a smaller, single-trunk palm that grows to 8 feet (2.44 m) tall. Attractive wide-arcing leaves make this selection of Ravenea hildebrandtii such an attractive ornamental choice.
