What is Travellers Palm and How to Grow It?
The Travelers Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is a tropical tree that grows in the rainforests of Madagascar.
This beautiful tree has fan-shaped leaves that resemble banana plants and leaf stalks with cupped bases that collect rain water.
These palms have been a source of fresh water for travelers crossing tropical regions. The hollow leaf bases can hold up to a quart of water at a time.
Native to Madagascar
Travelers Palm is a monocotyledonous flowering plant that belongs to the Strelitziaceae family and is native to Madagascar. It is not a true palm, but closely related to the banana tree family and bird-of-paradise family.
One of the things that makes Madagascar such a unique place is its biodiversity, which includes a wide range of endemic animals and plants. The island’s geologic history, climate, and geography have provided a variety of opportunities for these creatures to evolve and diversify.
For example, some of the most famous and beautiful lemur species are endemic to Madagascar — meaning they can be found nowhere else on Earth. These solitary creatures live in rainforests and dry deciduous forests and are often spotted on night walks.
Another interesting critter is the painted mantella, a frog whose bright green, yellow, black, or orange color is a great draw for nocturnal visitors to Madagascar’s forests. These frogs can be found in rainforests in East and Central Madagascar.
While many people know Madagascar for its lemurs, it’s also home to a number of other unique animal species, including giraffe weevils, aye-ayes, and couas. The coua genus is home to nine different species, all of which are endemic to Madagascar.
The couas are all very similar in appearance, but they vary in size and color. I particularly enjoyed the blue coua with its deep bluish-indigo plumage, and the crested coua with its Mohican-like crest.
While Madagascar is a very small island, it is home to some of the most unique and fascinating wildlife on the planet. These endemic animals have lived on the island for many tens of millions of years, and have developed their own ecosystems. The result is a fascinating mix of creatures that evolved and diversified over time in isolation, as well as those that migrated to the island more recently.
Leaves
The leaves of the Travellers Palm are a fascinating combination of fan-like foliage and a distinctive chevron leaf pattern. It is thought that the base of these leaves catch and accumulate rainwater, refreshing weary travelers.
In tropical regions, these trees thrive in full sun and can be a striking focal point in any landscape. They are easy to care for, needing minimal pruning or fertilizing and require a well-drained soil.
They prefer a rich, loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH level of neutral to mild. They can tolerate sandy and clayey soils as long as they are kept moist.
These plants are relatively easy to maintain and require little watering or fertilizing, so they can be a great choice for gardeners with limited space. They can also be propagated easily by seeds or through division of clumps.
You should repot your Travelers Palm when the roots are poking through the drainage holes in the planter or every one to two years. Choose a new container that is one to two inches larger than the original planter, fill it with fresh potting soil, and tamp it down.
This unusual houseplant is susceptible to Cercospora leaf spot and root rot, so be sure to remove infected leaves and don’t overwater the plant. A humidifier near the tree will help raise humidity levels, and a spray of neem oil can be used to control spider mites.
The Travellers Palm is an interesting addition to any home garden. Its unique fanned leaf structure makes it an excellent accent tree for your home, and its beautiful flowers and fruits are a bonus! They are also a great option for attracting birds and other wildlife to your garden.
Flowers
The Travelers Palm is part of the Strelitziaceae family and is also known as the White Bird of Paradise. While the leaves of this plant are broad and fan-shaped, it is not a true palm.
The flowers of the Travelers Palm produce large and white blossoms with a mix of other colors. These flowers are similar to the ones of its close cousin, the Bird of Paradise plant.
These blooms are supported by a tall green flower stalk that can be as big as 2ft in diameter. Once the flowers are out, they are followed by brown fruits that open to reveal stunning bright blue seeds inside.
One of the most interesting trees on the island of Madagascar, the Traveler’s Palm is a member of a family that also includes the banana tree. Its symmetrical leaf fan grows to heights ranging from 30-60 feet.
It is a very hardy plant that likes full sun but can also be grown in light shade. It needs a moist, rich soil that is pH neutral to mildly acidic.
To care for the Travelers Palm, keep it in a container that is at least as big as its root ball and provide adequate water. If the plant becomes top-heavy, move it into a larger container to prevent it from toppling over.
The Travelers Palm is a native of the tropical island of Madagascar and prefers full sun exposure, but will tolerate partial shade as well. Place your Travelers Palm in a spot where it will get morning sun during the winter season and afternoon sun during the summer.
This tree is easy to grow and can be propagated by dividing the rooted suckers that are growing near the trunk’s base. You can also simply pull them apart and plant them in a pot filled with potting soil.
Fruits
The name Travellers Palm comes from its unique fan foliage structure, which naturally grows in an east-west direction, enabling travellers to find their way. Additionally, the leaf bases and bracts collect and store rainwater, making this plant a refreshing find for thirsty travelers.
The Travelers Palm produces white flowers, supported by a large green flower stalk. The flowers can be as large as 2ft in diameter.
Its fruits are brown capsules that open to reveal stunning bright blue seeds inside. It also has the ability to grow in a variety of climates, and is resistant to disease and pests.
When it is time to repot the Travelers Palm, remove it from the pot and place in a new one that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the original. Then tamp the root ball, add more potting soil and water well.
To help establish your Travelers Palm, fertilize sparingly at least 6 inches away from the base and a tri-annually with a slow-release fertilizer (e.g., an 18-18-18).
The Travelers Palm will respond to fertilizer but avoid heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers as they may damage the roots and kill the tree. It is best to use a product you know and trust.
This is a great tree for tropical areas and can be used in containers, as an accent or as a specimen. It is also a good addition to a deck or patio as long as it has some shade, and can make an excellent focal point in the garden.
The Travelers Palm is a cool and exotic plant that will make any garden or landscape a focal point. Its leaves are reminiscent of bananas, and its fan-shaped leaf arrangement is truly awe-inspiring!
Care
If you’re looking for a beautiful and exotic houseplant that does well indoors in warmer climates, consider growing Travellers Palm. These trees are easy to care for and can thrive in warm temperatures as long as they have plenty of sunlight and are watered properly.
They are also considered a good addition to landscapes, especially in tropical or subtropical areas. Their unique foliage structure gives them an interesting appearance.
It’s easy to grow Travellers Palm from seed or by division. Just pull the rooted suckers growing close to the trunk’s base and transplant them into a pot filled with wet, well-aerated soil.
The plant prefers rich, loamy soil and does best in a sunny location. It will do fine in a shady area, but it may wilt in extreme heat or cold.
Using a nutrient-rich, high-potency potting mix will help keep the plant happy and healthy. Adding an organic fertilizer to the mix once in spring, summer, and fall will ensure that the plant receives the nutrients it needs.
To keep Travellers Palm happy and thriving, prune the outer leaf branches as needed and deadhead wilted blooms. You can also remove any brown or tattered leaves near the fan structure with pruning shears or loppers.
These plants are incredibly versatile, and can be used as an accent plant in the garden or planted in a group with other tropical or exotic foliage plants. They can even be grown as a bonsai, and they’re a great houseplant when treated right.
If you live in a colder climate, it’s best to move your Travellers Palm inside during the winter. This will give the tree a chance to recuperate from any frost damage it may have suffered.
