Majesty Palm
The big, cheap, feathery palm from the garden centre. Pet-safe and impressive, and honestly a difficult houseplant: it is a riverbank tree that wants bright light, constant moisture and high humidity, and it declines slowly indoors without them.
The majesty palm is sold everywhere because it grows fast and cheaply in Florida nurseries, and it fails everywhere because it is a riverbank tree that wants the conditions of a riverbank. Bright light, wet feet, humid air.
It can be done. But if you want an easy palm, the parlor or kentia will treat you better. We say this having lost two.
Light
Bright light with some direct sun. An east or south window. In lower light the fronds yellow and it slowly starves.
Water
Consistently moist, never dry. Every four days or so in summer and weekly in winter. It is one of the few houseplants that tolerates a saucer with a little water in it in summer. Filtered water; it is sensitive to salts.
Soil and potting
A peat-based mix that holds water, with some perlite. Repot every couple of years in spring; it grows fast in good conditions.
Feeding
A half-strength palm feed monthly in spring and summer. It shows magnesium and iron deficiencies as yellowing between the veins; a palm-specific feed covers that.
Propagation
Seed only. Buy plants.
In a hot, dry home
The hardest plant in this directory to keep here. It needs humidity above fifty percent, constant water and bright light, and a dry, air-conditioned room gives it none of that. If you want to try, a bright bathroom or a humidifier and a pebble tray are the minimum. Or buy a kentia.
Problems and fixes
Brown frond tips, spreading inward
Likely cause: Dry air, dry soil, or tap water salts
Fix: Raise humidity, keep the soil moist, use filtered water.
Lower fronds yellowing and dying
Likely cause: Not enough light, or not enough water
Fix: Move to brighter light and water more.
Fine webbing on fronds
Likely cause: Spider mites, inevitable in dry air
Fix: Shower the plant weekly, treat with insecticidal soap, raise humidity.
Yellowing between the veins
Likely cause: Magnesium or iron deficiency
Fix: Feed with a palm fertiliser that includes micronutrients.
Majesty Palm questions
Is the majesty palm safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. It is non-toxic to pets.
Why is my majesty palm turning brown?
Dry air and dry soil, almost always. It needs constant moisture and humidity above fifty percent. Consider a parlor or kentia palm if that is not practical.
Is the majesty palm a good indoor plant?
Honestly, not for most homes. It wants riverbank conditions. It can be kept in a bright, humid room with constant water, but easier palms exist.
