Difference Between Majesty Palm and Parlor Palm
By Andrew Parker - February 27, 2023

Houseplants like Parlor Palms and Majesty Palms are pretty popular. Both of these houseplants are recognized for their lovely palm-frond leaves. Palms are a low-maintenance and reasonably durable way to freshen up any area and bring a bit of nature to enjoy all year.

Chart Summary
MAJESTY PALMPARLOR PALM
  1. About 3-5 feet wide and 10-12 feet tall
About 3 to 8 feet wide and 3-8 feet tall
  1. Growth is more vertical than horizontal
Growth is equally horizontal and vertical
Houseplant on a table in home interior against a balcony

Getty images/Moment/ Lilyana Vinogradova

Definition

The Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) is a tropical tree endemic to Madagascar that may reach heights of about 100 feet in its natural habitat. However, it is becoming increasingly scarce in the wild and is mainly produced as an indoor tree, where restricting its roots confines the plants to approximately 10 feet tall. It has many stems with long arching green fronds. It grows quicker outside, where its roots may spread freely; it is occasionally employed as a landscaping tree in California, South Florida, and other tropical areas.

The parlor palm (Chamaedorea Elegans) has been utilized as an interior plant for many years. It forms lovely clusters with light-textured foliage that conceals slender trunks. This gorgeous plant with a deep green leaf was discovered in Central America and introduced to the United States, where it quickly became a favorite indoor palm.
Single-stalk examples are occasionally found, but most palms are produced in tiny clusters that resemble palm-like bushes. The parlor palm grows slowly and might take years to reach full height (2 to 6 feet indoors and 6 to 16 feet outdoors).

Majesty Palm vs. Parlor Palm

The most significant difference between a parlor palm and a majesty palm is the size and form of the leaves. The leaf lobes of parlor palms are often thicker and less delicate in appearance. The leaves of a majesty palm are more fragile and can grow pretty tall.

The parlor palm has a more compact and dense growth habit, but the majesty has an upright and more fountain-like look. In almost any situation, the majesty palm will grow larger than the parlor palm.