Most homeowners in the United States opt for palm plants, such as a parlor palm, majesty palm, or other suitable palms. These palms require little care and will last for years, making them ideal for sprucing up any indoor space.
Both palms feature eye-catching displays that will flourish for years. If you are a plant mom, you will enjoy these easy-to-care-for plants.
Parlor Palm and Majesty Palm – Description
The parlor and majesty palm are the two most commonly placed houseplants. By contrasting them, you’ll have a better idea of which one will meet your specific requirements.
1. Leaves
The graceful palm-frond foliage is a hallmark of both of these houseplants.
The size and shape of the leaves are the most noticeable differences between the parlor palm and the majesty palm.
The parlor palm, named for its small leaves, stem, and frond or leaf form and size, is the smaller of the two.
The majesty palm has longer, fuller leaves that give the impression of elegance and delicacy, and their appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a fountain.
There is a common perception that the leaves of these plants are quite delicate.
The leaves of a majesty palm are more fragile and can grow lengthy. The lobes of parlor palm leaves tend to be thicker and less delicate than other palm species.
2. Growth
The Majesty’s palm grows tall and thin like a fountain. On the other hand, the parlor palm tends to grow densely and compactly.
Although both are smaller than typical single-trunked palm trees found in the tropics, the majesty palm can be expected to mature to a larger size than the parlor palm under almost all conditions.
3. Fall Foliage Hues
These palms are popular because of their attractive appearance and the exotic feel they lend to indoor spaces.
The mature leaves of both plants are a shade of dark green, with the growth often appearing a lighter, more yellowish green when they are younger.
Some of its brown leaves will fall off as the plant develops and matures. Once both plants have reached their full height, the oldest and lowest leaves will gradually mature and fall off.
4. Shape and Proportional Dimensions
The parlor palm, with its 3-8 feet maximum height, is ideal for modest homes and apartments. It will take considerably longer to attain its full height because it grows relatively slowly.
The Majesty’s palm can grow tall, up to 12 feet, with the proper care and attention. However, it will take some time to reach its full height. Therefore, you must give it plenty of room and care.
When kept in a house, none of these palms will likely become taller than 5 or 6 feet.
5. Expanding Needs
Homeowners in Texas, United States, should know that these palms are native to hot and humid tropical regions of the world’s original rainforests.
- They both do best between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They can adapt to temperatures 10 degrees hotter or cooler than their preference. However, you must try to keep them in a warm environment.
- They require indirect sunlight and the extra humidity that comes with opening a window to thrive.
Be mindful of the temperature. It’s essential to keep the plants out of the way of any air conditioning draughts to prevent any sudden temperature changes that could be detrimental to their health.
Leaves will become yellow and brown and eventually fall off if the temperature drops too low or fluctuates too quickly.
6. Sufficient Hydration Needs
The major selling point for those who tend to neglect their houseplants for extended periods of time is their lack of need of water. There is no need to constantly water the parlor palm or the majesty palm.
Both palms are very drought-tolerant and are not fond of soggy soil. Therefore, they cannot accept over-watering, which will cause them stress and eventually lead to dehydration and death.
The ideal setting is to water the plants deeply once a week. Moreover, let the soil dry for a day or two between watering episodes.
7. Soil
A potting mix based on peat works wonderfully for the indoor growing of parlor palms because they prefer organically rich and well-drained soils.
Add sand to help with water retention without causing the roots to become soggy or saturated.
Because the majesty palm is also tolerant of these circumstances, you can use the same potting soil for both.
8. Fertilizer
The parlor palm needs little maintenance because it grows slowly and is relatively small.
If the plant’s leaves look a little yellow or don’t look healthy, you can cheer it up by applying a diluted liquid fertilizer every time you water the plant. Repeat the process for a few weeks.
On the other hand, the majesty plant grows relatively quickly. Give it some fertilizer if you want it to thrive during the warmer months.
Its greater size and rapid development rate make it well-suited to use the fertilizer to promote frond expansion.
9. Pests and Diseases
Common pests target both types of palms – Parlor and Majesty. They prefer to prey on weak and stressed palms.
Keep your majesty and parlor palms safe and sound. Ensure they grow in appropriate settings to protect them from scale, mealy bugs, thrips, and other similar pests.
Moreover, both palm species are susceptible to other problems, such as root rot and rust leaf rot. These problems or diseases are brought on by insufficient watering, a lack of fertilizer, or a too-cold environment.
Many people find that tending to their houseplants is a relaxing and enjoyable hobby. Because palms are so popular, it’s essential to know how to maintain yours looking great all year.
Which Palm Is More Respected – the Majesty Palm or the Parlor Palm?
These palms range in height but are all the same in other respects. The leaf structures are very similar between the two. However, some of these leaves can reach lengths of more than 10 feet.
While the majesty palm expands vertically, the parlor palm stays more compact as it matures. These palms are beautiful and would look great in just about any room in the house or workplace.
Read: Majesty Palm Safe for Dogs, Is Majesty Palm Toxic to Dogs
Pros and Cons of Majesty Palm vs. Parlor Palm
Majesty Palm
The pros and cons of keeping a Majesty Palm indoors are as follows:
Pros
- The most obvious benefit of owning a majesty palm is the increased aesthetic value of your home.
- More light will enter your home.
- It is a low-maintenance indoor plant that looks nice.
Cons
- One of the Majesty palm’s drawbacks is that it requires more frequent watering than a parlor palm.
- They also struggle to flourish in the dry climate of the desert.
- These palms require a specific range of temperatures to flourish. They won’t do so if the temperature outside varies from their preferred range.
- It takes a long time to reach full maturity.
Can You Keep the Ever-Growing Majesty Palm Indoors?
Most people find it challenging to tend to over-grown Majesty Palm. However, they can be grown and kept indoors if you are careful.
These plants require little care and can be grown rapidly on sunny windowsills, indoor pots, or even outside. However, they are not simple to maintain.
To begin with, a flowering temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and intense light are required. They can get up to twenty to twenty-five inches in height, at which point they become unmanageable. Make sure the plant has enough water and sunlight.
If the branches get too long, cut them back to approximately 4 inches. Trim the ends of any dead branches with pruning shears or clippers. Remove any leaves that are rubbing against the sides of the container.
Parlor Palm
Keeping things basic can be beneficial at times. Parlor palms can relieve some of the strains associated with caring for different palms. The pros and cons of keeping this palm kind are listed below:
Pros
- A Parlor Palm plant is easier to maintain.
- It only needs water once every seven to ten days. You can leave it unattended for up to ten days without worrying about its survival
- Having it stored indoors means you won’t have to worry about catching plant diseases.
- Pests like flies, ants, roaches, bees, and beetles are usually unlikely to be drawn to it.
Cons
- An issue with maintaining a parlor palm indoors is that it may not thrive as it would in its natural habitat.
- The correct lighting is essential. It fails to grow without proper lighting.
- Indoor flowering is not guaranteed. If it does bloom, it might have spraying yellow flowers, hinting at a bad omen.
Final Word
Palm trees may be a beautiful addition to any home or office by providing the right amount of care and attention. Either palm would be an excellent addition to a home. However, parlor palms are simpler to cultivate and care for when compared to majesty palms. Nonetheless, they are more susceptible to illness.
Which one do you think is best for you? It just comes down to personal preference and how much time you want to spend tending to the plant.
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Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.