Ravenea rivularis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ra-VEN-ee-uh riv-yoo-LAIR-iss
- Description
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The majesty palm is a tropical, evergreen perennial native to Madagascar and a member of the palm family (Arecaceae). While it has a small native range, it is a popular houseplant all over the world. The species epithet refers to the palm's preferred habitat, the edges of rivers and streams.
Majesty palm requires high humidity, bright, indirect light, and consistent moisture and may be difficult to grow indoors. It is fast growing in its native habitat, but it is much slower as a indoor plant. Avoid direct sunlight that can scorch the leaves. The palm prefers moist soil of loam or clay. Avoid cold drafts or direct heat. It prefers temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They are hardy in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
In its native habitat, this plant can grow up to 100 feet tall. The tree is becoming rarer in the wild due to deforestation and habitat loss. As an indoor plant reaching 5 to 10 feet, this palm has an upright habit, full canopy, multiple stems and long arching, medium to dark green fronds. The leave are large and up to 6 to 8 feet long. The palm has small yellowish-white flowers that are usually hidden in the foliage and are present only as the palm matures. Its fruits are round, fleshy berries that are green initially and then mature to orange-red.
This species has no cultivars, and it is the only species in this genus to be cultivated as a houseplant. Commercial growers often put 3 or more plants in one pot to make the plant look lush and full; however, this plant is solitary. The good news is that you can divide the cluster and give each plant its own pot, increasing your houseplant collection in one go.
Majesty palm is a beautiful ornamental and can be used as a tropical houseplant. In the warmer months, it can be used outdoors on a shaded patio or balcony. The graceful green fronds create a tropical feel, greenery, and privacy when planted in groups.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The majesty palm has no serious diseases or pests but monitor for spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot. Low humidity levels can bring unwanted insect pests. Yellow leaves can be caused by inadequate light, insufficient water, overwatering, lack of humidity or nutritional deficiencies.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ravenea
- Species:
- rivularis
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In Madagascar, the palm heart is eaten by local people. The leave are used to make hats, mats, or baskets.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Madagascar
- Play Value:
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are small, round, fleshy, and are initially green and turn orangish-red when they mature.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are small, yellowish-white, and typically hidden in the foliage. Only mature palms have flowers and timing varies depending on the climate.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leave are medium to dark green, large, arching, and measure up 6 to 8 feet long. They make a very dense canopy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is grayish-brown, and the trunk is straight.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Most houseplants will not develop above-ground stems (as seen in the photos of plants in Hawaii and Florida). In a tropical climate, the palm makes a massive trunk.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Wet Soil
