Ravenala madagascariensis

When grown in colder regions, the Travelers palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) can be grown in pots, provided you take appropriate care for cold protection. When the outdoor temperatures drop below 30°F, the pots should be moved inside or to sheltered and warmer areas such as a enclosed patio or cooler greenhouses. As they are a tropical species, they must be kept in a bright position, and the soil should remain moist. They should also be provided with regular feeding to keep them thriving. If kept in a pot, make sure to prune the leaves and the stems, to limit their growth and keep away pests. On the other hand, they can also be kept outdoors. If kept outdoors, make sure to water them regularly and add a slow-releasing fertilizer once a month. As they are also tolerant to salt spray, they can be planted near roads or seaside.

In conclusion, the Travelers palm is a beautiful palm-like tropical plant. It is a plant native to Madagascar and offers a unique and interesting look to gardens and yards. It will thrive in full sun or semi-shade, and requires regular watering, especially in warm periods. If grown in colder regions, this plant can be easily managed in pots, though extra care should be taken for cold protection. Moreover, it is tolerant to salt spray and can be planted near roads or seaside.

Strelitzia nicolai

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It has become very popular for indoor use over the last 10 to 15 years. It is used outdoors in both Florida and California as a landscape plant, where it can reach a height of 20 or more feet. The flowers can reach a size of 10-12 inches, but plants need to be a few years old before they will flower. Don't expect flowers indoors. Nicolai can handle a wide variety of soils and can grow in a variety of conditions. One condition that it cannot take is having extremely WET soil so it is best to keep it on the dry side. The "White Bird" isn't a small plant, but it is a very upright plant so it can fit into some tight spaces. Their large banana-shaped leaves add a rich tropical look to almost any interior. Growers usually use multiple plants to get a fuller plant.

Strelitzia reginae

Strelitzia reginae is a bold structural plant, which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. The grey-green banana-like leaves grow about 1,5 m in height and the flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. Mature plants are very floriferous with flowers in autumn, winter and spring. The structure and pollination of the flowers are rather interesting. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges, is called the spathe. This is placed at right angles to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of 3 brilliant orange sepals and 3 bright blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the birds sit to have a drink of nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen. It is an easy plant to grow in the garden. Plants do well in full sun to semi-shade, love a rich loamy soil and plenty of water throughout the year. They respond well to regular feeding with a slow release fertilizer and compost. They are however very tolerant plants and will thrive in most soils and can survive with very little water once established. The plants are also wind resistant and grow well in coastal gardens. Strelitzias are sensitive to cold and would need a sheltered position in areas with frost as the flowers and leaves are often damaged by frost. In very cold climates it is better to grow them in pots that could be moved indoors when freezing temperatures are expected. This must be one of the most well-known plants in the world. The fascinating blooms are sold as cut flowers by the million. :Read more about this plant.