Growli
Let's go

Plant care

Traveller's Palm (traveller's tree) care

Ravenala madagascariensis

Also called traveller's palm, traveller's tree, ravenala.

RHS H1aUSDA 10-11Pet-safeIndoor 9–15 m tall outdoors with a spread of 4.5–6 m

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Consistently moist during spring and summer; reduced in winter

Jump to schedule→Get smart reminders in the app

Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Organically rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining loam

Humidity

50–80%

Temp

16–35 °C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

9–15 m tall outdoors with a spread of 4.5–6 m

Care at a glance

Light

Most houseplants will scorch where traveller's palm thrives. Give it the windowsill you'd otherwise leave empty because everything else burned there. Requires bright, full sun for healthy growth and the characteristic leaf arrangement; when grown under glass, shade only during the hottest part of summer days to prevent leaf scorch. A plant moved abruptly from low light to direct sun bleaches in 48 hours — always acclimatise over a week.

Watering

Aim for consistently moist during spring and summer; reduced in winter for traveller's palm, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Water generously in the growing season, keeping soil moist but never waterlogged; reduce frequency significantly in winter and ensure the pot or planting site has excellent drainage to prevent root rot.

Soil and pot

Traveller's Palm grows best in organically rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining loam. Plant in a fertile mix of loam, compost, and coarse sand or grit; while it enjoys consistent moisture, the root zone must never become saturated — poor drainage is the primary cause of plant failure. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Traveller's Palm sits happiest at around 50–80% humidity and 16–35 °C (61–95 °F). Prefers moderate to high humidity typical of its native Madagascar; in heated glasshouses or conservatories, damping down the floor and misting the foliage helps maintain adequate moisture levels. If you keep the room above 16–35 °C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed traveller's palm sparingly. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertiliser in spring, supplemented with monthly liquid feeds through summer; reduce to two or three applications per year in glasshouse cultivation over winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on traveller's palm in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root rot from poor drainage — Saturated soil causes rapid root rot, which presents as yellowing lower leaves and a soft, foul-smelling root ball; improve drainage immediately and reduce watering — prevention is far easier than cure.
  • Scale insects and mealybugs — Common under heated glasshouse conditions; inspect new growth and the undersides of leaves regularly, and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap at the first sign of infestation to prevent colonies from establishing.

Propagation

Propagation is primarily by seed; sow fresh seed in moist, loam-based compost at 24–27 °C in a propagator. Division of basal suckers (offshoots from the base of mature plants) is possible and produces larger plants more quickly than seed. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Traveller's Palm is pet-safe. Ravenala madagascariensis is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs; it is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Database confirms no toxic principles. Multiple veterinary-focused plant-safety sources classify it as safe for pet households. Nevertheless, consumption of large quantities of any plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Traveller's Palm care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Ravenala madagascariensis?

Ravenala madagascariensis is most commonly called Traveller's Palm, but it is also known as traveller's palm, traveller's tree, ravenala. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Traveller's Palm apply identically to anything sold as traveller's tree.

How much light does traveller's palm need?

Traveller's Palm grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Requires bright, full sun for healthy growth and the characteristic leaf arrangement; when grown under glass, shade only during the hottest part of summer days to prevent leaf scorch.

How often should I water traveller's palm?

Water traveller's palm consistently moist during spring and summer; reduced in winter. Water generously in the growing season, keeping soil moist but never waterlogged; reduce frequency significantly in winter and ensure the pot or planting site has excellent drainage to prevent root rot. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is traveller's palm toxic to cats and dogs?

Traveller's Palm is pet-safe. Ravenala madagascariensis is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs; it is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Database confirms no toxic principles. Multiple veterinary-focused plant-safety sources classify it as safe for pet households. Nevertheless, consumption of large quantities of any plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

What USDA hardiness zone does traveller's palm grow in?

Traveller's Palm is rated for USDA zone 10-11 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Traveller's Palm deep-dive guides

Every aspect of traveller's palm care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Traveller's Palm qualifies for 7 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Traveller's Palm is also known as traveller's palm, traveller's tree, and ravenala.