Does it really point north?

Not exactly, but the fan shape often aligns with the suns path, which can help with orientation.

Can I grow this indoors?

Only if you have a massive greenhouse with high ceilings and intense light.

Plant guide

Travellers palm.

Ravenala madagascariensis

Pronounced rav-en-AH-la mad-a-gas-kar-ee-EN-sis

Also known as Traveller's Palm, Traveller's tree, Traveller's palm, Travellers Palm, traveler's tree, traveler's-palm, traveler's-tree

Traveller's Palm — Photo by Ricard Busquets Reverte (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This iconic plant is not a true palm but a member of the bird of paradise family. It is famous for its massive, fan shaped arrangement of leaves that grow in a single plane. It makes a bold statement in tropical landscapes where it has plenty of room to spread out.

Another photo of Travellers palm — Photo by Jay Brasher (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 to 50 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Sporadically throughout the year

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for browning leaf edges which often signal low humidity or underwatering. Provide plenty of space as this plant grows quite large over time.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots begin to crowd the pot.
Soil: Rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic, but the fibrous leaves can be irritating if handled roughly.
Pets: The plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The large, heavy leaves and sharp petioles pose a physical hazard to small children if they climb or play near the base.
Contact allergens: The stiff, fibrous leaf edges can cause minor skin abrasions.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The seeds are technically edible but are generally considered unpalatable and not a standard food source.

How to identify it

Fan shaped leaf arrangement
Large paddle shaped leaves
Sturdy palm like trunk
Grows in a single plane

Height: 6 to 12m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 15 to 20cm
Fruit: blue, Year round

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
Root RotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move to a frost free location if temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Ensure the plant stays in a bright spot and reduce watering slightly during the cooler months.
In containers: It is generally too large for containers unless you have a commercial atrium or very large conservatory.

Seed

1. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
2. Plant in well draining, sterile potting mix.
3. Keep consistently warm and moist until germination.

Division

1. Carefully remove offsets from the base of the parent plant.
2. Ensure each offset has a portion of the root system.
3. Pot into individual containers and keep in high humidity.

Group this plant with other moisture loving tropicals to create a microclimate that maintains high ambient humidity.

Grows well with

Bird of Paradise · They share similar cultural requirements and aesthetic themes.
Ginger · They thrive in the same humid, tropical conditions.

Similar species

White Bird of Paradise · It has a similar architectural form but is slightly more cold tolerant.

Science

Family: Strelitziaceae
Genus: Ravenala
Order: Zingiberales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Madagascar
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but habitat loss in Madagascar remains a concern for wild populations.

It thrives in sunny, moist forest clearings where its large leaves can capture maximum sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: lemurs, bees
Uses: ornamental focal point, tropical landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it really point north?: Not exactly, but the fan shape often aligns with the suns path, which can help with orientation.
Can I grow this indoors?: Only if you have a massive greenhouse with high ceilings and intense light.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Ravenala comes from the Malagasy word ravinala, meaning forest leaf. The specific epithet madagascariensis denotes its origin.

Good to know

The leaves grow in a distinct fan shape that typically aligns east to west.
Travelers often used the water collected in the leaf bases as a source of emergency drinking water.
It is the national symbol of Madagascar and appears on the tail fin of Air Madagascar planes.

Keep your travellers palm growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.