Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm

Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm (Differences, Similarities & Growing Guide 2023)

Nothing beats the look of summer palm trees like majesty or areca palms. Whether you want to plant them indoors or outdoors, they always look magnificent. In addition to their striking appearance, Majesty and Areca palms are also low-maintenance plants, making them a great choice for anyone who wants to add a touch of tropical paradise to their home or garden without too much effort. They might look alike but they are different in many ways. Keep reading to find out how. 

Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm

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Although the majesty and areca palms look alike, they are very different in many things. You can grow both of them in pots but Areca palms are better if you want to grow a palm indoors since they are smaller and grow in clusters that add to indoor aesthetics better. 

Majesty palms are mostly grown outdoors since they can grow very tall. These plants grow from a single stem so they don’t form bush-like clusters. Areca palms can tolerate a bit of direct sunlight whereas Majesty palms prefer bright diffused sunlight. 

Comparison

Majesty PalmAreca Palm
Leaf colorLush-greenBright yellowish-green
Stem colorGreenish-yellowYellow
VariegationYesYes
FlowerWhite flowersBright yellow flowers

Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm Differences

Majesty and Areca palms look very similar during their growing stages. Apart from their similar appearance, they are nearly different in most of their requirement and qualities. Here are all the differences between them.  

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1. Origin and Name

The Majesty palm is a tropical plant natively found in Madagascar. It grew along the river banks and got the name ‘Majesty’ due to its majestic look. Its botanical name is Ravenea rivularis

Areca palm is a name that can be used for any palm tree species in the genus of Areca. However, in most contexts, the Areca palm refers to the Dypsis lutescens. It also originates from Madagascar but the plant also grows in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. 

2. Taxonomy

Majesty and Areca palms belong to the same family, Arecaceae. However, the genus and species are different. The Majesty palm belongs to the genus Ravanea and the species R. rivularis. On the contrary, the Areca palm belongs to the genus Dypsis and the species D. lutescens. 

3. Shape and Appearance

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Majesty palms grow in one tall stem with a sturdy and woody base. They have a traditional palm-like appearance, with fan-like fronds. The Areca palms are shorter, and they grow in clusters. They look more like grassy bushes and their small-sized leaves make them suitable as indoor plants. 

4. Differences in Color

The color differences between the Majesty and Areca palms are in the leaves and stem. The Majesty has lush green colored leaves, while those of Areca are yellowish-green.

Majesty palm’s stem is greenish yellow, while that of Areca is yellow. However, it’s hard to notice these differences without looking at both plants side-by-side. 

5. Leaf Size and Texture

Besides the difference in the leaf color, these plants’ leaves are also different in size and texture. Areca palm has more relaxed and drooping fronds. The leaves have a textured look, and they float above the plant.

The Majesty palm has many long slender leaves with a feathery feel. They arch upwards and have very straight leaflets. Majesty palm stems are much darker than Areca palms. 

6. Height and Growth Rate

Unlike the tall Majesty palms, the Areca palms are shorter and grow to about 10ft when planted indoors. They have a slow growth rate, and you can trim them to your desired height.

Majesty palms are taller and they can grow up to 80ft if planted outdoors. If grown indoors, these palms require high maintenance and will reach a maximum height of 15-20ft. 

7. Flowers

Both Majesty and Areca palms are flowering plants. Majesty palms produce white flowers, which can turn into red fruits if pollinated. Majesty palms rarely bloom, indoor grown Majesty palms bloom even less. 

Areca palms have small bright yellow flowers that flourish during spring or summer. They turn into green-yellow fruits that turn orange when they are ripe. However, remember that both Areca and Majesty palm fruits are inedible. 

8. Growing Conditions, Temperature, and Climate

Majesty palm requires temperatures between 65°F and 85°F to thrive well. They also need high humidity. They can thrive easily in USDA zones 9-11. Areca palm does well in 75°F to 85°F of temperatures, with less exposure to the sun. They also prefer zones 9-11 and grow to their full potential indoors. 

Both plants can bear low temperatures but Areca palms are more sensitive to cold temperatures below 50°F. 

9. Light, Water, Soil

Can I Use Succulent Soil For Other Plants

Areca palms require rich, well-draining soil to survive. A perfect combination would be loam and sand to ensure excellent drainage. They don’t require frequent watering, and love filtered sunlight. However, they can tolerate direct sunlight as well. 

Majestic palm can withstand 8 hours of daylight and watering once or twice a week. Ensure the soil is rich and well-drained. They do well in loam and sand soil mixture. As long as you don’t expose them to direct sunlight, you can give them as much sunlight as you want. 

Majesty Palm Vs Areca Palm Similarities

Despite all the differences between Majesty and Areca Palms, they are still similar in some things. For example, these plants have similar humidity, soil, fertilizer, and watering requirements. They also both require plenty of sunlight to thrive well. 

1. Sunlight

Majesty and Areca palms are both tropical plants, and they do best when exposed to some sunlight. Sunlight helps with photosynthesis and the general growth of the plant. Both palms love long exposure to indirect sunlight every day.

2. Watering

Palms are tropical plants, so they have fewer water requirements. Before watering the Areca or Majesty palm, ensure the top layer of the soil is dry to avoid overwatering. Too much water can cause root rot, which shows through yellowing leaves.

You can schedule to water the plants once every week but depending on how quickly the soil dries up, you might need to water the palms more than once every week. Going too long without water will cause the palms to wilt very quickly.

3. Humidity and Temperature

Majesty and Areca palms require high humidity to grow well. Ensure the area your plant grows has more than 50% humidity. Since the humidity levels decrease in cold temperatures, you will need a humidifier. During winter, you can mist the palm leaves to compensate for the reduced humidity. 

4. Potting and Soil

How Long Is Potting Soil Good For

Areca palms thrive well indoors, so they can survive in pots. You can also plant majesty palms in pots but you will need a bigger pot since longer roots and grows taller. You will have to repot both palms once they grow too big. Both plants require a well-drained soil mixture of loam and sand. 

5. Fertilizer

Both palms need to be fertilized twice a year during their growing seasons. Majesty and Areca palms go dormant during late fall and winter so avoid fertilizing them during this time. 

6. Natural Habitat

Majesty and Areca plants originate from the tropical region of Madagascar. Although they grow in tropical forests, these plants can be grown indoors as well.

Majesty grows up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat, while the Areca palm can grow up to 35 feet. However, they both will have similar heights when grown indoors. 

Common Problems for Both Plants

Palm plants like Majesty and Areca might stop growing if they catch a disease. They suffer from common problems like leaf yellowing, overwatering, and improper pruning. Here’s how you can deal with these problems. 

1. Lethal Yellowing

Lethal yellowing is a disease in which Majesty and Areca palms develop drooping fronds and yellow leaves. The fruits and nuts of the affected palm also die and drop early. You can treat lethal yellowing using Terramycin injections to the trunk of the palms. 

2. Overwatering

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Majesty and Areca palms are tropical plants that do not need too much water. Overwatering these plants could cause problems like root rots.

The soil and size of the pot also determine the amount of water to pour into your plants. Ensure that the pots of the palms are well-drained and don’t water them again until the top layer of the soil is dry.  

Overwatering signs are yellowing of the leaves, wilting, and weakening of the plant. This can often lead to the death of the plant. If you’ve accidentally overwatered your plant, it’s best to repot it as quickly as possible in a newer pot. 

3. Improper Pruning

Palm trees are very sensitive to pruning, once a branch is pruned, it might stop growing completely. Pruning palms keeps them in shape and can sometimes benefit the plant. However, Improper pruning will cause negative impacts and stunt your plant’s growth. Avoid pruning the fronds unless they are brown. 

Final Thoughts

Majesty and Areca palms are tropical plants that originate from Madagascar. These plants do well indoors and outdoors, but Areca thrives best indoors. They grow well in warm temperatures and well-drained soils. Both plants are a great choice if you want to nurture a palm tree at home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Areca palm the same as Majesty palm?

Areca and Majesty are two different species in the botanical family of Arecaceae. They have minor differences in their fronds and how they grow.

Areca palms grow in clusters to form a nice green little bush whereas Majesty grows from a single thick stem. Majesty palms are more suited for outdoors while Areca palms love indoor environments.

What is another name for Majesty palm?

The Majesty palm is scientifically known as Ravenea rivularis. It can be called the Majestic palm or the Majesty palm depending on what you feel more comfortable using. 

Is a Majesty palm an excellent indoor plant?

The majesty palm is a good indoor plant. It grows slowly and can grow very tall over time. Most homeowners prefer growing this palm tree outside because of the high maintenance required to maintain it indoors. However, with a bit of effort, they make great indoor plants. 

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