Adopting a pet is a huge, long-lasting commitment. Puppies grow from adorable little ones to large pups and all too quickly. Cats are cute as kittens, but they find a way to reach anything that you try to hide from them! Yes, they grow larger too and need lots of attention.
If you have the time and resources to commit to an animal, a new pet can be a rewarding addition to your family. The love you share will be multiplied throughout your family because of your pet.
Pet owners have more to consider than others when choosing the right plants for their gardens and home. Pet owners have to make sure their plants are safe for their pets. Dogs chew on everything and curious kittens love a tasty plant.
Pet parents should choose plants that are safe in the event that Fido or Tabby takes a tasty treat from a plant! So many plants are toxic to pets. Others, including the foxtail weeds, can actually have its prickly prongs lodge into your pet and cause harm.
You see many plants in a big box store or your local nursery and wonder if they are okay for your pets. Sometimes you bring some home without checking on them first.
This is a no-no. Always check about the harm levels of plants you are considering for inside your home before you purchase them!
What About Majesty Palms?
You might not believe it, but this question arises a lot because the pet owner’s cats love this palm tree! You will be surprised by how much love your cats share.
Sometimes cats eat this plant down to its stump, which is impressive when you realize how big this plant can grow. So it’s natural to be worried for your pet. Glad you are asking this question and checking on what’s best for your pet’s health!
This large plant has feathery fronds and can grow to your ceiling with ease. Some say that it transforms your home into a spa or one of the beaches you populate with palm trees.
It’s important to remember that this rule is not just for inside your home – don’t plant toxic plants in your garden either if your cat ever leaves your home. Remember that you can always travel to the ASPCA website for a list of all plants that are toxic for your pets, but without delay, here is the scoop on the Majesty palm.
Palms grow as shrubs, trees, climbers, or stemless plants with the term palm tree used to refer to those that have stems. Palms are perennials. They are tropical and subtropical flowering plants. There are many varieties with various uses. These uses are associated with specific types.
For instance, there are those used for coconuts, as a vegetable salad, for palm oil or wine, in making dyes, as varnish or carnauba wax, for medicinal purposes, in basketry and thatching, and as ornamental, landscaping and house plants – which is most likely why you are searching for information about them today.
Scientific Name: Ravenea rivularis
Family: Arecaceae
Toxicity: Nontoxic to dogs, cats, and horses – great for you and your pet!
So that is good news for your palm-hungry cats! While it is not toxic, if your feline eats a lot of its leaves, it might present digestion problems.
However, these pets usually nibble only a small amount of plants so don’t worry if you see your kitty eating it.
If you’d like to get a majesty palm now that you know they are safe, you can easily find them on amazon.
How to Care for Majesty Palms
Here are a few short points followed by some longer detailed sections.
- Keep palms in medium sunlight.
- Give your palm a good soaking at least once a week.
- Palms usually like temperatures above 70 degrees.
Majesty palms enjoy light so place them near a sunny window. Place your Majesty palm into six to eight hours of sun daily. More than this can have a negative effect though.
If your plant’s leaves begin to turn brown, it is possible you are giving it too much direct sunlight for too many hours of the day. Some more care instructions are found in the descriptions below.
Watering: One key to growing Majesty palms inside is never to let the soil dry completely. Use a pot with drainage holes to protect it from dry rot.
If the fronds dry, the tips turn brown, and it moves down the leaf, the palm is dry and needs to be watered. If the leaves turn yellow, the plant should be watered less in the future.
Fresh Air: Because the Majesty palm is tropical, it likes moisture. If the air is too dry, leaves may turn brown and dry. Protect your palm from cold, dry air. Majesty palms damaged by cold may recover reasonably quickly. Warm wet air is best.
Humidity: Try a humidity tray. Choose a wide, shallow container. Fill it with rocks and water. Place your pot on top of the stones (the bottom of the pot stays above the water line).
As the moisture evaporates, it impacts the air right around your Majesty palm fronds. Refresh the tray with water as needed.
Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer every two to three months with your indoor Majesty palms. Allow your plant to rest in winter; there is no need to fertilize.
Repotting: Your Majesty palm needs space to thrive. To avoid overcrowding, repot regularly (every other year is recommended). Increase the pot by two inches. Repot when you start seeing the root appear out of the top of the soil.
Pruning: Prune by cutting off fronds as they turn yellow or brown. Doing so improves the plants’ look and allows more fronds to grow.
Pests: Pests such as spider mites, can be controlled by regularly fertilizing. Good humidity can help keep spider mites away. Wipe the leaves with a rag.
Proper Palm Placement: Keep your Majesty palm near a window. A bathroom is a great location. Your palm will thrive in the bright light and with the moisture there.
Use Majesty palms to purify the air and remove toxins from the air.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.