Areca palm vs Parlor Palm
Dypsis lutescens vs Chamaedorea elegans
Two pet-safe indoor palms — Areca is bigger and showier, Parlor is more compact.
Which should you pick?
Parlor Palm is easier to care for than Areca palm.
Parlor Palm tolerates lower light; Areca palm needs brighter conditions.
6 of 10 attributes differ (highlighted below).
Side by side
| Areca palm | Parlor Palm | |
|---|---|---|
| Pet safety | Safe for cats and dogs | Safe for cats and dogs |
| Light | Medium / part shade – Bright indirect | Low light – Medium / part shade |
| Water | Let the top inch dry | Let the top inch dry |
| Humidity | Average household | Average household |
| Temperature | 13°C – 29°C · 55°F – 84°F | 18°C – 27°C · 64°F – 81°F |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Easy |
| Soil | Standard potting mix | Standard potting mix |
| Fertilizing | Monthly, growing season | Lightly, growing season only |
| Mature height (indoor) | 1.8–2.4 m | 0.9–1.8 m |
| Growth rate | Moderate | Slow |
