Traveller's tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) - Buy 10 Seeds?

The traveller's tree can now be found in many tropical regions through planting, but it is native to Madagascar where it can reach a height of as much as 18 metres. In the Netherlands, it remains an unassuming houseplant with a wonderful story from old travel books. Indeed, its name comes from the story that travellers could survive by drinking the accumulated water from the leaf axils. The spaces in the leaf axils are created by the typical leaf position, as shown in the picture. Also, the plants would always have the same north-south orientation, which allowed travellers to use the species as a compass.

Sowing description: Soak seeds in water for 24 hours, then sow in sowing soil. Keep soil constantly moist, cover with cling film or glass and allow to germinate in a warm place in the house.

Family: Strelitziaceae
Latin name: Ravenala madagascariensis
Dutch name: Traveller's tree
Origin species: Madagascar

Sowing time: Year round
Difficulty: Average
Minimum temperature: 10 degrees Celsius