Plant Care Guide

Majesty Palm

Ravenea rivularis

Graceful, arching fronds and an easy, tropical vibe make majesty palm a houseplant classic. Native to humid riverbanks in Madagascar, it prefers bright light, steady moisture, and above-average humidity; meet those needs and you’ll enjoy slow, handsome growth with minimal fuss. If you’re wondering how to care for a majesty palm, the steps below simplify day-to-day majesty palm care for reliable results indoors and on warm-weather patios.

Watering Requirements

Healthy fronds come from consistent moisture—too dry and tips crisp, too wet and lower leaves yellow from stressed roots. Aim for evenly moist, never soggy soil, and let the top layer dry slightly between waterings.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer (active growth): Water when the top 1–2" are dry (often every 5–7 days indoors; more often in bright, warm rooms).
  • Fall/Winter: Extend to every 7–10 days; let the top 2" dry before watering.
  • Outdoor containers (warm seasons): Check soil every 2–3 days; heat and wind dry pots fast.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing fronds starting low, consistently wet mix, sour smell

Signs of Underwatering

  • Brown, crispy tips/edges, folding leaflets, very light pot

Pro Tips

Water slowly until ~10% drains out, then empty saucers—deep, even soaks support a fuller canopy and prevent salt buildup that can tip-burn fronds.

Light Requirements

Light fuels frond density and rich color; insufficient light causes stretched, thin growth and drop of older leaves. Indoors, give bright, indirect light with a few hours of gentle morning or late-day sun through a window.

Ideal Placement

  • Indoors: Within 3–5 ft of bright east/west windows or filtered south light (sheers help).
  • Patio (shade outdoors): Bright shade or dappled sun—avoid harsh midday rays.

Too Much Light

  • Bleaching, crisp patches on leaflets; move back from hot glass or add sheers

Too Little Light

  • Sparse crown, slow growth, yellowing from lower fronds

Pro Tips

Rotate the pot ¼ turn every 2–3 weeks for even frond spacing—key to refined majesty palm indoor care.

Soil and Potting

Roots need air and steady moisture together; choose a mix that drains freely but doesn’t dry to dust. A slightly acidic medium mirrors native conditions.

Best Potting Mix

  • 2 parts high-quality potting mix
  • 1 part peat/coir (moisture & acidity)
  • 1 part perlite/pumice (aeration)

Container Growing

  • Use a heavy, wide pot with large drainage holes (palms get top-heavy).
  • Repot every 1–2 years in spring, stepping up 2" in diameter only.

Pro Tips

Set the root crown level with the soil surface—burying it invites crown rot, a common issue in majesty palm plant care.

Fertilizing

Majesty palms are modest feeders; light, regular nutrition supports steady, green growth without salt stress.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Feed every 6–8 weeks with a balanced, dilute liquid palm or houseplant fertilizer (½ strength).
  • Fall–Winter: Pause feeding as growth slows.

Deficiency Clues

  • General pale green → needs nitrogen/trace elements
  • Brown tips with crusty soil → salt buildup (flush with plain water)

Pro Tips

Once each season, flush the pot thoroughly with plain water to rinse accumulated salts—simple insurance for lush ravenea majesty palm care.

Pruning and Maintenance

Clean, selective pruning keeps plants neat and reduces pest harborage. Remove only fronds that are fully brown.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Clip completely brown/yellow fronds near the trunk—never tug.
  • Leave any green tissue; palms recycle nutrients from fading fronds.

Maintenance Notes

  • Dust leaflets with a damp cloth monthly for better photosynthesis.
  • Stake only if needed; avoid tight ties that rub the petioles.

Pro Tips

If tips brown in winter, raise humidity first before cutting—trim just the brown, mimicking the leaflet’s natural shape.

Common Problems and Solutions

Yellow fronds + wet soil

Cause: Overwatering/poor drainage

Fix: Let top 2" dry, improve aeration, ensure pot drains

Crispy tips, folding leaflets

Cause: Underwatering or low humidity

Fix: Deep, even watering; raise RH; check for drafts

Bleached/brown patches

Cause: Direct, hot sun through glass

Fix: Pull back or filter light

Pests (mites, mealybugs, scale)

Cause: Dry air/dusty leaves

Fix: Rinse fronds, wipe undersides, treat with insecticidal soap or neem weekly until clear

Pro Tips

Most declines trace back to light + moisture balance. Dial those first, then fine-tune humidity and feeding—core to dependable majesty palm tree care.