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Best Fertilizer for Majesty Palm & When and How To Apply

If you want to successfully grow and maintain majesty palms, it is important to have knowledge about the type of fertilizer to use, as well as the appropriate timing and methods for application.

Without sufficient nutrients, growth and overall health of the palm can suffer. Why take the chance?

What is the best fertilizer for majesty palm? Majesty palm trees grown indoors will do well with a houseplant fertilizer that has a slightly higher nitrogen content, such as an NPK ratio of 3-1-3. Outdoor majesty palms can be given liquid, water-soluble, or slow-release fertilizer with the same ratio. Do not fertilize during winter months.

Read on below for everything you need to know about the best fertilizer for majesty palms and when and how to apply it!

Complete Fertilization Guide for Majesty Palm

Ravenea rivularis, also known as majesty palm, is an easy to care for houseplant that’s much easier to fertilize than many indoor plants.

The plant grows long green finger-like fronds that may grow over a meter tall.

In the next sections, we break down each aspect of fertilizing majesty palms, including which fertilizer is best for outdoors and indoors, as well as how to use the fertilizer on these palms, when to use it, and more.

Best Outdoor Majesty Palm Fertilizer

Because they require more nitrogen along with their nutrients than many other houseplants, it’s good to take this into consideration when shopping for the best fertilizer for your outdoor majesty palm.

An NPK ratio of 3:1:3 is recommended.

As far as products go, the Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Palm Plant Food is one of the best ones to consider.

It has the right NPK ratio as well as added magnesium, iron and manganese (which is perfect for majesty palms).

Best Indoor Majesty Palm Fertilizer

For fertilizing indoor majesty palms, we recommend Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food.

Similar to the product we suggest for outdoor majesty palms, the Indoor Plant Food needs to be fed to plants weekly rather than once every few months. 

Aside from the fact that you need to give this product to your palms more often, it still includes all the macro and micronutrients that your palms crave, including nitrogen, making it a great choice.

When To Apply Fertilizer for Majesty Palm

If you’re growing indoor majety palms, fertilizing can be done two ways:

  • Use a product like recommended above and adding it into the water once per week
  • Use a slow-release product that you may add just once every three months or so.

For outdoors, you have the same choice, though most gardeners prefer the slow-release general-purpose fertilizers that only need applying once every three months or so.

Spring, summer, and autumn are the main times to fertilize your outside palms.

Signs That It’s Time To Fertilize

When the signs of nutrient deficiency show up, it means that it’s time to fertilize your majesty palms, though it’s best not wait for problems to appear before feeding.

The most prominent signs that it’s time to fertilize include:

  • Slow growth or no growth.
  • Consistent leaf drop.
  • Brown leaf tips and margins.
  • Wilting leaves.
  • Yellow leaves.
  • Faded leaves.
  • Crusty, old soil.

How To Fertilize a Majesty Palm

A small majesty palm in a white pot on a table near a bright window.

Fertilizing a majesty palm is pretty easy to do – add the fertilizer to water and water the plant as usual.

Avoid splashing the leaves of the plant; rather aim for the base of the plant and the root zone.

Reapply fertilizer as needed according to the product you’re using. If you’re using homemade fertilizer (like compost tea or waste-water fertilizer), apply no more than once per season (minus winter).

Indoors, you may fertilize your palms in the same manner, by adding the solution to water and pouring it into the plant’s soil.

Keep in mind that indoor plant food may need applying as often as weekly or monthly.

Natural Fertilizer for Majesty Palm

The best natural fertilizer for majesty palm is a mix of organic compost. Waste-water fertilizer is also suitable in measured amounts. 

Bone meal and kelp are highly efficient for majesty palm fertilizer. Some homemade natural fertilizers for majesty palms also include the addition of powdered iron and magnesium. 

Effects of Over-Fertilization

If you’re not careful, you may end up making one of the most common mistakes there is to make: over-fertilizing your majesty palm. 

The main effects of the over-fertilization include:

  • Plant growth that is too fast to sustain.
  • Insufficient root systems to support the entire plant.
  • Inability to uptake enough water and nutrients.
  • Fewer buds, flowers, and fruits.
  • Irregular plant growth.

Effects of Under-Fertilization

Under-fertilization is another possibility that you should be aware of when growing and caring for majesty palms. 

The main effects of under-fertilization are:

  • Wilting.
  • Drooping.
  • Yellowing leaves.
  • Faded leaves and flowers.
  • Fewer buds, fruits, and flowers.
  • Slow growth.
  • No growth.

Related Questions:

How Quickly Does a Majesty Palm Grow?

Majesty palms grow approximately 12 inches per year, averaging around 1 inch per month. After 10 years, they reach their mature height of 10 feet tall.

If grown indoors, they may grow at a slower rate as well as topping out at as much as a third of their normal size (5 feet or less).

Why Are My Majesty Palm Leaves Turning Yellow?

The main culprits of majesty palm’s leaves turning yellow are typically either dry or used-up soil or low humidity.

Going too long between waterings is the most common reason for both of these circumstances.

Misting on a daily basis helps as does running a humidifier (this ultra-quiet model can be aimed directly at your tree). 

A Final Word 

The best fertilizer for your majesty palm is definitely the fertilizer you feel most comfortable with. That said, make sure that it is one that includes plenty of extra nitrogen compared to what you’d feed other plants.

With this simple tip, you’re all set to give your palm what it needs to continue to thrive!