Having a parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) or Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a low-maintenance way to brighten up any corner of your home or garden. Each of these palms is a beautiful plant that will last a long time in the right conditions.
The main difference between the parlor palm and the areca palm is the shape of their leaves. The leaves of a parlor palm are delicate lanceolate shapes, which can reach up to 20 cm in length. The leaves of an areca palm are larger and oval, reaching several feet. The saloon palm has a habit of growing straight, while the areca palm has a curved habit. Several stems arise from a base on the areca, while the stems of the parlor palm grow in clusters and are stronger than the areca.
If you want to tell the difference between these two palms, this article may be helpful for you. Check out parlor palm and areca palm comparisons here.
| lounge palm | areca palm | |
| USDA hardiness zone | 10 – 12 | 9 – 11 |
| Scientific name | Chamaedorea elegans | Dypsis lutescens |
| adult size | 3 to 8 feet | up to 20 feet |
| adult width | 1 to 3 feet | 8 to 10 feet |
| Rate of growth | 6 to 10 inches/year | Up to 3 years to mature |
| Light requirement: | partial sun | partial sun, full sun |
| the type of soil | Exterior: Moist, drained Interior: Pot mix | Exterior: Moist, drained Interior: Pot mix |
| soil pH | 5.1 to 7.5 | 6.0 to 7.0 |
| Water frequency: | 1-2 weeks | once a week |
| harmful | Scale insects, mealybugs, mites | Caterpillars, mites, mealybugs, thrips |
| Diseases | Fungal spots, root rot | fungus, root rot |
Contents
Difference Between Parlor Palm and Areca Palm
An important difference between the areca palm and the parlor palm is their size and growth. The parlor palm features an upright plant with a set of sturdier stems that grow slowly.
This makes it a good table plant. You need plenty of space for the areca palm, as the long, curved leaves can grow up to two meters in length.
Areca stalks grow in clusters of trunks that resemble bamboo, giving it its other nickname, the bamboo palm.
Its large, curved leaves look like butterfly wings to some, earning it the nickname butterfly palm. The parlor palm is a bit sleeker, with lacy leaves less than a foot long, earning it the nicknames Bella Palm and Victorian Palm.
Leaf shape and texture.
The parlor palm is a palm with smaller leaves often described as graceful or lacy. These leaves grow vertically and can grow up to eight inches long.
Areca palm leaves, on the other hand, are smaller, but you should be able to see up to 40-60 pairs of leaves on each stem.
leaf color
People love parlor palms and areca palms because they bring a touch of exotic wood to the home.
The areca palm is always a lush, healthy green. Signs of discoloration indicate that minor maintenance adjustments are needed.
Any sign of brown color on the areca leaf is a sign that the leaf is dead, which is a natural part of the growth cycle.
If it’s a younger leaf that’s turning brown, you’ve probably overwatered it. A yellow leaf means the leaf has not received enough water.
If the tip of the leaf is brown, the plant may be too cold for the parlor palm. The air may also be too dry.
Parlor palms also have attractive green foliage, which may also show signs of discoloration. Some brown leaves will drop on their own when their season is over.
Any other sign of brown or yellow foliage on the show palm is a sign of stress. This is often caused by too much light on the plant.
If the plant is underwater, the palm tips will begin to turn brown. You can still cut these leaves without damaging the palm tree, they cannot be stored at the moment.
Flower
Of the two palms, the areca is the only palm that flowers. Blooms in late spring or early summer. The flowers are small yellow flowers found directly under the leaves. This palm has both male and female flower buds.
The parlor palm also has a yellow and sometimes orange flower. The flowering season is also in spring. The parlor palm prefers natural sunlight to flower and is unlikely to flower if kept indoors.
height and structure
The parlor palm is a smaller plant, but can grow quite tall. It may start out as a table plant, but will eventually grow to 3 to 8 feet. This will take some time as the palm tree in the living room takes years to fully develop.
The areca palm is a much taller plant. It can reach up to 20 feet, but some will grow even taller in the right conditions. Later, you will need an outdoor location or a room with a high ceiling.
Growing demands
It is important to remember that these palms come from the rainforest and thrive in conditions that shape it.
The parlor palm needs an ambient temperature between 65 and 80°F (18 and 27°C). The milking parlor can grow below 50°F, but if hit by frost, it will not survive. It’s good to have a humid room.
The areca palm is very similar and needs partial sunlight. If you keep it indoors, it needs an ambient temperature of 60-75°F (16-24°C). Sudden drops in temperature will kill the plant. You will notice it in the leaves.
Similarities Between Parlor Palm and Areca Palm
light requirements
Both the areca palm and parlor palm need partial sun, the areca palm can tolerate full sun.
irrigation needs
The parlor palm and the areca palm require little water. If they are watered once a week, they are happy. You can get away with watering the parlor palm once every two weeks if it is doing just fine without water. The parlor palm and the areca palm do not like to be overwatered, it puts them in danger.
Fluoridated water may not be good for palm trees. Distilled water or rainwater will help them thrive. If the room gets too humid, the plants will appreciate a bit of dew.
You can also put the pot on a plate with stones soaked in water, also known as the pebble tray method. This provides natural moisture for the plants.
Usually I
The room palm can support any peat-based soil if indoors. You don’t want it to deteriorate and break. Outside, the soil you need is sand and clay.
The areca palm can survive under the same conditions. You want to use a peat-based potting soil that offers good drainage. If you plant it outdoors, you will need soil with some acidity.
fertilizer
When it comes to feeding your palms, the parlor palm needs a light liquid fertilizer. You only need to do this once or twice as it grows. In winter they don’t need it, they don’t need a lot of food.
The areca palm, on the other hand, loves its fertilizer. Feed it from spring to fall with a liquid fertilizer. Areca are dormant in fall and winter and do not need fertilization.
Plagues and diseases
These plants share common pests. For the parlor palm, the most common pests are scale insects, aphids and scale insects.
The areca palm is not bothered by pests. If so, the problems are mealybugs, thrips and caterpillars.
It should be noted that when it comes to pests, the fungal patches of the areca palm and parlor palm are common to both palms. These pests will be more common outdoors than anywhere else.