Garden centers and local nurseries are always full of great plants you can successfully grown indoors in your home. However, the Majesty Palm tree is not one of them. This is important to understand so you won't make a mistake of trying to grow a Majesty Palm indoors.
The good news is that there are many types of palms that can be grown indoors. The Bamboo Palm is one of them. These palms can thrive indoors if you provide them with care and appropriate water and light requirements.
The Majesty palm, however, is usually unable to survive the stress it faces indoors. This is why it's not suitable for a houseplant.
Majesty Palm: Basic Information
The Majesty Palm (Ravenea Rivularis) is a beautiful palm that can do well if planted outdoors, especially on places such as south Florida. It has certain requirements (such as lots of water, heavy feed and bright light/full sun), which makes it unsuitable for a house plant. It's simply not a good plant to keep indoors.
Why can't this plant be grown indoors? It's precisely because of the requirements and environmental factors it requires. A Majesty Palm requires lots (and lots) of:
- Light
- Water
- Fertilizer
None of it can be provided indoors. If kept in the house, the palm will yellow and decline in health and appearance. It also attracts spider mites.
Why Do Garden Centers Carry This Plant?
One would think that a plant that's clearly not suitable for indoor care wouldn't be offered as a houseplant. However, it's possible to find the Majestic Plant in many nurseries and garden centers. So why would these garden centers and nurseries carry this plant?
There are numerous reasons. One of the main are the policies employed by nurseries and garden centers. Nurseries and garden centers are always looking for new plants to offer. It's also important for plants offered on these places to fit certain price points. Nurseries and garden centers often have to do what the corporate office demands. This is why they often don't pay attention to the fact that certain plants, such as the Majestic Palm, are not suitable for indoor care.
Recommendations
If you wish to grow a palm indoors, there are many good choices. Here are some recommendations:
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans "Bella")
- Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Sefrizii)
- Kentia Palm (Howea Fosteriana)
- Chamaedorea Metallica
- Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
Photo credit: Carol VanHook
9 Comments
I have been buying these beautiful plants for years now and could never figure out what I have been doing wrong. Well, for one thing, I just found out that they are NOT indoor plants. They look good for about three to six months and then it is downhill after that. I live in Michigan and they sell these plants at one of the big warehouse clubs in the middle of winter giving the impression that they are indoor plants. You certainly would not put them outside here. I am sure that I will not be purchasing one of these again knowing what I know about them.
I have had at least 3 Majesty Palms. They can be grown outdoors (as someone stated) in very warm climates. Our homes are not the same as the natural surroundings they grow in. To keep leaves moist (high humidity) a person would have mold growing all over their walls. They are not indoor plants and will dry out very quickly if you live in an area where heat is put on during winter months. California or Florida would be very natural for them to grow outdoors. There are some palms that can grow indoors. A list has been given. This does not apply to Majesty Palms.
I have a 4.5 year old indoor majesty palm and it is my worst looking plant. I have tried everything with no success. Unfortunately, I think it is time to throw the old girl out ?
Yes, they can be grown indoors. I got two as a mothers day gift three years ago. They are indoors in our cold winters here in Tennessee, and moved outdoors to our porch during the summer. Ample light, fertilizer monthly, and watering frequently will keep them beautiful. Mine are in HUGE pots, about 18in diameter by 2 foot high. The plants now reach over 7 feet tall. They are about 7 feet in diameter too, so inside you'll need a big room to put them, but I love mine. A lot of work, for a lot of beauty, if you ask me. Totally worth it!
*Btw, I can kill "air ferns" so I'm pretty happy these have made it so far!
Yes, it absolutely can be grown indoors. IRS simply not easy to do. If you're willing to provide the ample water and fertilizer it needs while supplementing with a grow light, it can be done. It might not be worth it to most people, but for some of us it is.
I'm thinking that it is awfully selfish of these nurseries to be selling these majesty palms knowing full well that before too much longer they will die. They get the money and run type of thing, not caring about the customer or the plant they just sold you. They got the money so they are happy with that, not impressed.
I have a majesty palm plant. Was disappointed this plant can not be grown indoors.