Hardly anything symbolizes summer, like palm trees, and your home will always feel like summer if you have a gorgeous, spectacular palm growing. There are many alternatives, yet some are more suited than others, yet you will want the most magnificent palm growing indoors you can get.
Which could be the better choice for you out of the areca palm vs. majesty palm? It helps to understand which tropical plants best offer lush greenery. While both Majesty and Areca palms can be grown in pots for roughly the same price, you may find that a Majesty palm is more suited for an outdoor palm than the areca palm. However, they both have similar growing conditions and are suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11.
To help further, in our guide, we compare the Areca vs. majesty palm on all levels. So by the end, you’ll see which is best, and also included are a few alternatives that we compare, such as a cat palm vs. majesty palm and more. (Learn How Long Can Grass Seed Go Without Water)
Key Differences in Palm Trees
Here is a quick overview of the differences between the Majesty and Areca Palms.
Areca Palms:
- Smaller: Will grow 4 to 10-ft. indoors and 25 to 30-ft. outdoors.
- Grows in clusters.
- Possesses wispy fronds with a grass-like appearance.
- Can adapt to partial sun.
Majesty Palms:
- Larger: Grows 5 to 15-ft. indoors and can grow 40 to 80-ft. outdoors.
- Grows from a single stem.It possesses feathery fronds with a woody stem to deliver a conventional palm appearance.
- Prefers full sun to thrive.
- Loves a humid environment.
Is A Majesty Palm Like An Areca Palm?
Areca palms and majesty are not the same, and looking at the fronds; it’s easy to tell the difference. Areca palms have fronds that are more relaxed and hang down, whereas majesty palms have sharp fronds.
Another difference is the base of the palms. Areca palms grow in groups, making for a softer-looking base. Majesty palm has only one stem that grows into a strong, sometimes woody, base.
Even though they look alike and have some of the same needs, they are two different plants. In the same way, one will usually fit your needs and space better. Even though they are different, both majesty and areca palms are safe for people and animals around your house and garden.
Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm: What Are The Differences
Even though they look similar to someone who doesn’t know what to look for, you’ll be able to tell how different they are once you know what to look for.
Even stranger, the plants come from different parts of the world. For example, the Majesty Palm comes from the Brazilian rainforest, while the Areca palm is from South East Asia. But even though they are similar, they both need the same care.
But let’s dig deeper into what makes these plants different to help you choose one for your space.
Similarities
Both Areca and Majesty palms grow in similar conditions. For example, both plants do well outside in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. Also, neither of these plants will be bothered by kids or pets running around your house. Both are safe for people and animals.
Plant your palm tree in potting soil that drains well and gives it enough light to grow well. Areca palms do best in full sun, but they can also grow in some shade.
Both plants have similar costs. But Areca might be a little less expensive because they are smaller and therefore easier to carry. But when they are young, they will cost the same.
These palms grow slowly and take many years to reach full size. However, you can help them grow by cutting off old fronds to make room for new ones.
When it’s cold, neither plant does well. So if you don’t live in a very warm area and still want to grow them outside, put them in pots so it’s easier to bring them inside when winter comes.
Differences
There are several ways in which Majesty palms and Areca palms are different. The first can grow up to 80 feet tall in the wild. The Areca variety is smaller (reaching only 30 feet outdoors).
Still, as houseplants, the two plants will grow to about the same size. But if you don’t have a variety of room, we suggest you choose the Areca palm.
You can tell the two palm palms apart by their leaves. Overall, Areca palms look like grass because their fronds are big and wispy, like grass.
They also hang down, giving the rooms they decorate a laid-back feel. A Majesty palm produces feathery, sharp fronds and a woody stem like traditional palm trees.
You can also look at the plants’ bases: Arecas grow in groups, but Majesty palms only have one strong, woody base. As a result, Areca palms look a little bit like bamboo. After all, you can also grow them to use as a screen. (Read Orange Lily With Black Spots – What To Do)
Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm: Which To Choose?
Your choice depends on your needs out of Areca Palm and Majesty Palms and how you grow plants. These plants need warmth to grow well, so if you can’t give them that, look for a different species. Majesty Palm is the best choice if you want to grow a palm tree outside. The Areca palm is a brilliant choice if you want a houseplant that looks delicate and has lush leaves.
1. Areca Palm
How Large Do Areca Palms Grow?
The Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens/Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) has enormous fronds and yellow, bamboo-like stems that grow in clusters from the base.
These bamboo palms are suitable for large spaces, especially rooms with high ceilings
Small Dypsis lutescens areca palms tend to be confused with palm grass. However, because they grow in clusters, the bamboo palm grows suitable as a screen.
Areca palms are big. They can reach 10 feet indoors but stay little and grow slowly. Areca palms can grow 4 to 6 feet tall when trimmed. They grow to 25-30 feet when you grow outdoors.
Other names you may hear are the Butterfly palm, Golden cane palm, and bamboo palms.
Growing Conditions For Areca Palms
Areca palms thrive indoors and outdoors, although they need moderate to extensive maintenance.
For areca palms, moderate to full light is ideal. They water indoor plants two to three times every week. Depending on the temperature and the space, they only use water outdoors once or twice a week.
Areca palms require rich, well-draining soil to grow and prosper. It works well to combine one part loam, one part peat moss, and one part sand.
But it’s not unusual to just use regular potting soil. So the Areca is fairly versatile as long as the palm has enough drainage.
Areca palms are resilient and versatile as a whole. They will still thrive if you temporarily forget to water them indoors.
Outdoors, though, is more difficult. They dislike the cold because they are tropical plant. Zones nine through eleven grow for Areca’s year-round growth, but all other zones require that
Areca be brought indoors during the winter.
Areca palms perform well inside but most likely won’t grow their maximum capacity. The best conditions for growing them are outside, with lots of water and sunlight and the occasional trimming.
However, they will perform just fine if all you want to do is grow a cute, modest-sized palm indoors. It is recommended to mist to help prevent spider mites. (Learn How Big Do Aloe Plants Get)
Areca Palm Growing Tips
When watering your areca palm, consider using filtered water—this aids in preventing mineral buildup and is crucial for potted palms in particular.
It’s probably salt accumulation if you detect a white layer on top of the soil. There is no harm in using filtered, room-temperature water on plants.
2. Majesty Palms
How Large Do Majesty Palms Grow?
Because of their woody trunk, Majesty palms (Ravenea rivularis) are more “traditional” in appearance and are not an insignificant palm.
Similar to how their eye-catching fronds set them apart from most other palms, Majesty palms can grow up to 80 feet tall outside.
Majesty palms can grow up to ten feet tall indoors, but their height can vary and even exceed forty feet depending on the container size and the available space.
Majesty Palm Growing Conditions
Majesty palms are best grown outdoors in tropical climates and demand moderate to high upkeep when cultivated indoors. Although they are highly flexible, they prefer full sun.
They perform well indoors, but they rarely flourish. By purchasing a little palm and placing it in a pot with room to grow, you can grow a majesty palm inside in the best possible way.
Since palm palms grow slowly, they will survive for a few years indoors. However, be aware that it could need to be moved outside or given a new home after a few years.
Majesty palms detest the cold, just like the Areca and other types of palms. As a result, majesty palms flourish outdoors in zones nine through eleven.
The palm could die if it sits too long in low temperatures, so shield the plant and apply mulch to the base if you expect cold weather if it is too large to be grown indoors during cold spells.
Majesty palms are often less tolerant of their soil and need rich soil with adequate drainage. An optimal mixture is 1 part loam, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part sand.
Applying palm tree fertilizer regularly will help majesty palm grow healthily if you have the room to allow it to do so.
Majesty Palm Growing Tips
Remove old, yellowing fronds from Majesty palms to encourage new growth. This aids in nutrition delivery and growth, as well as maintaining the majesty palms’ attractive appearance.
Alternative Indoor Palm Varieties
If you’re not sure which of the two palms is right for you, here are good examples of alternative indoor palm varieties:
Cat Palm
Cat palms are an excellent choice if you need a houseplant. They should be watered roughly twice a week and are acceptable in indirect and bright light.
Cat palms typically grow heights of four to six feet.
Besides being mostly pest-resistant, cat palms are fairly easy to grow and require little maintenance other than the occasional trim. In addition, both humans and pets find the plants non-toxic so that the plant won’t poison them.
Kentia Palm
One of the most common and accessible indoor palms is the tall and elegant Howea forsteriana, sometimes known as the Kentia palm.
It is more tolerant of dry indoor air and reduced light than other tropical palms, making it an ideal palm for novices.
In contrast to other palm species, the dark green leaves of the fronds are perched atop a single stem, giving the plant a less complete appearance.
Parlor Palm Plants
When you look at the Parlor Palm vs. Majesty Palm, the Parlor palm plants (Chamaedorea Elegans) have lacy, compact fronds growing upward from a cluster of stems while stouter than other palms.
It can grow up to four feet in height indoors, although it can be grown using a tabletop planter if you get a small one, as they are a slow grower.
Ponytail Palm
The Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) isn’t a palm, which is why they don’t resemble the other palms. Instead, they have a bulbous trunk and a frizzy tuft of thin, cascading leaves.
Ponytail palms are planted indoors as bonsai specimens. They are content in medium-sized pots, even though the plant can reach heights of over 20 feet in their native southeastern Mexico or in a garden that offers ideal growing conditions.
They require similar maintenance as succulents and cacti because they are native to the desert and are not as sensitive to humidity as real palms. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Weeds In A Pond)
Sago Palm
Another erroneously named plant is the sago palm (Cycas revoluta), which is a cycad, and not a true palm. It is an ancient species of plant that was prevalent when dinosaurs roamed the planet.
Sago palms have broad, fan-shaped leaves that resemble feathers that grow from a central trunk that resembles a pinecone.
It looks incredibly proportionate, fitting perfectly with any décor style of your indoor space. And your indoor environment prefers strong light, warm temperatures, and just enough water to survive.
Sentry Palm
Kentia’s cousin, the sentry palm (Howea belmoreana), is almost identical in appearance, with the fundamental distinction being that its fronds curl at the tips.
Like Kentia, it is not a drama queen about low humidity and is fairly hardy indoors and can thrive in indirect light.
