Parlor Palm Vs Areca Palm: Which One is Best for Your Home?

Oleh Amos Ledner June 09, 2023 Post a Comment

When it comes to choosing a houseplant, there are many factors to consider, including the plant's size, care requirements, and appearance. Two popular choices for indoor plants are the parlor palm and the areca palm. While they may look similar at first glance, these two plants have distinct differences that may make one more suitable for your home than the other.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the parlor palm and areca palm, examining their care requirements, appearance, and benefits. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of which plant may be the best choice for your home.

Parlor Palm

The parlor palm, also known as the Neanthe Bella palm, is a small palm tree that is native to Central and South America. It has been a popular houseplant for over a century due to its attractive appearance and low maintenance requirements.

Appearance

The parlor palm is a slow-growing plant that typically reaches a height of three to four feet when grown indoors. Its leaves are dark green and fan-shaped, with a slightly curved stem. The plant's trunk is thin and often hidden by the foliage.

Care Requirements

The parlor palm is relatively easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for those new to gardening or who don't have a lot of time to devote to plant care. Here are some basic care requirements for the parlor palm:

Light: The parlor palm prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
Water: Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Don't let the plant sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot.
Temperature: The parlor palm prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity: The parlor palm prefers high humidity levels. Mist the leaves regularly or place a humidifier near the plant.

Benefits

The parlor palm is an excellent choice for those looking to improve indoor air quality. It has been shown to remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air, making it a natural air purifier.

Areca Palm

The areca palm, also known as the butterfly palm, is a tropical palm tree that is native to Madagascar. It is a popular houseplant due to its attractive appearance and ability to tolerate low light conditions.

Appearance

The areca palm is a fast-growing plant that can reach heights of six to eight feet when grown indoors. Its leaves are long and narrow, with a feathery appearance. The plant's trunk is thin and often multi-stemmed.

Care Requirements

The areca palm requires a bit more attention than the parlor palm, but it is still relatively easy to care for. Here are some basic care requirements for the areca palm:

Light: The areca palm prefers bright, indirect light. It can tolerate low light conditions, but this may cause the plant to grow more slowly.
Water: Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Don't let the plant sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot.
Temperature: The areca palm prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity: The areca palm prefers high humidity levels. Mist the leaves regularly or place a humidifier near the plant.

Benefits

Like the parlor palm, the areca palm is an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. It has been shown to remove toxins like formaldehyde and xylene from the air, making it a natural air purifier.

Parlor Palm Vs Areca Palm

Now that we've examined the care requirements and benefits of both plants, let's take a closer look at some of the differences between them.

Appearance

While both plants are palms, they have distinct differences in appearance. The parlor palm has a more compact growth habit, with fan-shaped leaves that are shorter than those of the areca palm. The areca palm, on the other hand, has a feathery appearance, with long, narrow leaves that grow in clusters along the stem.

Care Requirements

Both plants require similar care, including bright, indirect light, regular watering, and high humidity levels. However, the areca palm requires slightly warmer temperatures (between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit), while the parlor palm can tolerate cooler temperatures (between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Benefits

Both plants are excellent choices for improving indoor air quality, but they remove different toxins from the air. The parlor palm is effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene, while the areca palm is effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene.

How to Choose Between Parlor Palm Vs Areca Palm

When it comes to choosing between the parlor palm and the areca palm, there are several factors to consider:

Space: The areca palm is a larger plant than the parlor palm and may not be suitable for smaller spaces.
Appearance: Consider which plant's appearance best suits your home's decor.
Care Requirements: Consider whether you have the time and resources to meet each plant's care requirements.
Air Purifying Abilities: Consider which plant's air-purifying abilities are most important to you.

Ultimately, the choice between the parlor palm and the areca palm will depend on your personal preferences and needs.

Both the parlor palm and the areca palm are excellent choices for indoor plants. They offer a range of benefits, including air-purifying abilities and attractive appearance. By considering the differences in their care requirements and appearance, you can choose the plant that best suits your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which plant is easier to care for: the parlor palm or the areca palm?

Both plants are relatively easy to care for, but the parlor palm may be slightly easier due to its smaller size and lower temperature requirements.

2. Can the parlor palm and areca palm be grown together?

Yes, the parlor palm and areca palm can be grown together, as they have similar care requirements.

3. Do parlor palms and areca palms require fertilizer?

Yes, both plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season.

4. Can the parlor palm and areca palm be grown outdoors?

While both plants are tropical, they are not frost-tolerant and should be grown indoors in cooler climates.

5. How often should I water my parlor palm or areca palm?

Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Don't let the plants sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot.

6. Are parlor palms and areca palms safe for pets?

Both plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs.

7. Can the parlor palm and areca palm tolerate low light conditions?

While the areca palm can tolerate low light conditions, the parlor palm prefers bright, indirect light.

8. How quickly do parlor palms and areca palms grow?

The parlor palm is a slow-growing plant, while the areca palm is a fast-growing plant.

9. How do I propagate parlor palms and areca palms?

Both plants can be propagated by dividing the root ball or by planting seeds.

10. Which plant is better for improving indoor air quality: the parlor palm or the areca palm?

Both plants are effective at removing toxins from the air, but they remove different toxins. The parlor palm is effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene, while the areca palm is effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene.