Although travelers palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) displays big, fan-like leaves, the name is actually a bit of a misnomer, as travelers palm plants are actually more closely related to banana trees. This exotic plant produces small, creamy white flowers, which often appear year-round. Want to learn about growing travelers’ palms in your garden? Find out below.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Ravenala madagascariensis, commonly known as the traveller’s tree, traveller’s palm or East-West palm, is a species of monocotyledonous flowering plant found in Madagascar. It is not a true palm but a member of the family Strelitziaceae.
It has been given the name “traveller’s palm” because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater, which supposedly could be used as an emergency drinking supply for needy travellers. Another plausible reason for its name is that the fan tends to grow on an east–west line, providing a crude compass.
The enormous paddle-shaped leaves are borne on long petioles, in a distinctive fan shape aligned in a single plane (distichous). The large white flowers are structurally similar to those of its relatives, the bird-of-paradise flowers Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai, but are generally considered less attractive, with a green bract. These flowers, upon being pollinated, produce brilliant blue seeds. In tropical and subtropical regions, the plant is widely cultivated for its distinctive habit and foliage. As the plant grows older, it progressively loses the lowest or oldest leaves and reveals a sturdy grey trunk. Of the four forms, varieties or subspecies, the largest is the “Bemavo”, from the hills of eastern Madagascar, which can be 100 feet (30 metres) in height with a trunk 2 feet (60 cm) thick. The foliar fan consists of 30 to 45 leaves for mature specimens, each as much as 36 feet (11 metres) in length.
The chromosome number is 2n = 22.
Ruffed lemurs are a known pollinator of this plant, and given the size and structure of the inflorescences, as well as the lemur’s selectivity, method of feeding, and long muzzle, this relationship is thought to have coevolved.
Ravenala madagascariensis is widespread in Madagascar, including humid lowland forests, montane forests, grassland, and rocky areas, from sea level to 1,500 meters elevation.
The plant requires a sunny spot (not full sun until it is larger). It responds well to fertiliser, especially if it is high in nitrogen during the growing season. This produces better growth and foliage. The plant grows to an average height of 7 m (23 ft) and requires moderate water.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Traveller’s palm thrives best under full sun conditions, which fuels its robust growth and enhances its lush, fan-like foliage. The plant’s preferred intensity is the bright, unfiltered light of the tropics, with a need for extended photoperiods, mirroring its native environment. While a traveller’s palm exhibits tolerance for partial sun, insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and a compromised stature.
Outdoors, traveller’s palm should be situated in a position that captures plenty of sunlight, avoiding deeply shaded areas. The ample light exposure allows traveller’s palm’s leaves to orient and adjust to optimize photosynthesis, a unique characteristic of its adaptive traits.
Temperatures
The plant has a narrow temperature tolerance. Temperatures dropping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can begin to damage it.
Watering
Originating from the moist, tropical environments of Madagascar, traveller’s palm thrives in conditions that mimic its native high humidity. This species is known for its preference for consistent moisture but also exhibits a degree of drought tolerance once established. It requires watering every week to maintain its lush appearance. As an evergreen plant commonly grown outdoors due to its size and visual impact, traveller’s palm benefits greatly from rainfall patterns that align with its natural habitat’s climate, ensuring a steady growth cycle.
Soil
Traveller’s palm requires well-draining soil that prevents water-logging. A suitable mix includes equal parts potting mix and perlite or sand for enhanced aeration. To ensure good drainage, use a pot with holes and a layer of gravel at the bottom. Incorporate slow-release fertilizer during planting and biannually. If perlite is unavailable, pumice or coarse grit are suitable substitutes. This mix promotes healthy root development and growth for traveller’s palm.
Fertilizing
Fertilizers come in various forms, such as slow-release, synthetic, granulated, organic, and liquid feeds. First, select one with a nutritional balance designed for leafy plants, then choose the best application method for the situation.
Because too much fertilizer can hurt plants, it’s important to adhere to the recommendations on the fertilizer carton when determining how much and how regularly to feed Ravenala Madagascariensis.
Slow-release fertilizers are a great, hassle-free choice for container plants. Frequently, a single application will provide plants with the proper level of nutrition for the complete season.
Planting Instructions
Begin with a high-quality premium potting soil. These are frequently more hygienic, pest-free, & lighter than topsoil. These are blended with moderate starter fertilizers. If a container doesn’t have a drainage pathway, be prepared to dig one.
Up to 2″ (or 5 cm) or less from the planter’s rim, prepare the container by adding potting soil. Next, the plant must be taken out of the pot.
Dig a little hole in the garden that is slightly bigger than the ball of the root by hand or with a trowel. When planting Ravenala Madagascariensis, cover the root ball with just enough soil to tightly cover the roots. Once every plant has been potted, give a healthy start by watering them regularly. Subsequently, put the plant in a location that receives consistent sunlight.
Every 2 years, repot your plants in a similar container or one that is a little larger than the roots’ diameter.
Pruning
Ravenala Madagascariensis can be grown in containers and can be frequently trimmed to keep the proper size and shape. Maintaining a trimmed foliage also keeps the plants look more organized, promotes the growth of additional side shoots & blooms, and reduces the need to develop a deep root system. This is crucial since the roots are in a tiny area.
Propagation
Propagation is by suckers and seeds. It is ideal for sowing seed at around 20°C on damp, sandy soil. Planting organic matter during planting prevents the roots from drying out. Seedlings 2 to 6 months old are placed in deep, rich loamy soil and planted in full sunlight. Near the parental stem, suckers develop at random intervals. At the start of the wet season, rooted suckers are separated and planted into fertile soil for rapid growth.
Overwintering
Traveller’s palm hails from the warm climates of Madagascar, natively enduring only mild winters. Naturally, frost and severe cold are not part of traveller’s palm’s winter vocab. In non-tropical landscapes, gardeners must shield traveller’s palm indoors or provide a heated greenhouse during chilly months. Remember, a well-drained, frost-free, bright space is traveller’s palm’s winter haven!
Repotting
Repotting traveller’s palm every 2-3 years to accommodate its rapid growth and large size. Known for its fan-shaped foliage, traveller’s palm thrives best in large containers that offer ample room for root development. Repotting in spring to enhance recovery and new growth. Post-repotting, ensure high humidity and consistent watering to help traveller’s palm settle. Use a well-draining soil mix in a spacious pot to foster healthy results.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Traveller’s palm is quite common in public and commercial areas, though it’s not very popular in home gardens. The sheer size of traveller’s palm makes it difficult to manage in smaller settings. When given ample space to grow, however, and with a backdrop of blue sky (rather than buildings or other trees), this “palm” can truly shine. Typically, this plant is grown alone as a specimen piece, but smaller specimens can be grown in containers.
- Other uses
You can plant Ravenala Madagascariensis in your garden as it offers numerous benefits. The leaves, petioles, and bark of Ravenala Madagascariensis are utilized for roofs, walls, and floors in homes along Madagascar’s east coast, which is economically significant. In some areas of India, the limb is used to build houses, the leaves are employed as packing material & roofing, & the petioles and midribs are used to build hut walls.
The fluid of the trunk can be used to make sugar. Although the kernels are edible, they are mealy, and edible arils lack taste. The oil of the seed reportedly has antibacterial properties and is occasionally used in cooking. Sometimes, the trunk’s pith is used as cattle feed.