Cat Palm vs Majesty Palm – 5 Interesting Things

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Last Updated on January 23, 2022 by Fabiola L.

Discussing the differences between cat palm vs. majesty palm is essential to help new plant owners who tend to confuse between the two.

It is common for one to easily confuse these two plants, mainly because they belong to the palm family. Most palms look the same or have similar features. Cat and Majesty palms are two stunning palm plants perfect for growing indoors.

They may look identical to those growing them, but they have their differences. We will compare cat palm vs. majesty palm so you can make a wise decision on which one to grow or grow them both!

What Is The Difference Between A Cat Palm And A Majesty Palm?

There are several differences between a cat palm vs. majesty palm. They include

Leaf Texture And Design

The two plants have similar leaves, but they differ in size and texture. Majesty palm has long leaves that are tough and rough to touch, while cat palms have smaller leaves that are soft to touch.

Majesty palm has stronger leaves that tolerate leaf diseases. However, cat palm leaves are made up of soft tissues that are more prone to leaf spot and leaf fungal diseases.

Leaf Size

The cat palm has small leaves that grow in a clump shape, while the majesty palm grows up to 10 feet in height. It has more robust and more beautiful long leaves than the cat variety. Due to its large size growing as much as 80 feet, majesty palm requires plenty of growing space while cat palm with its smaller leaves can grow in a small room.

Height And Structure

The cat palm has soft fronds that are a little in the way of the stems. The majesty palm is more robust with longer, more rigid fronds that grow from several stems. When left to grow in the wild, it can reach up to 80 feet high, while the cat palm rarely achieves over 10 feet height.

majesty palm sunlight

Growing Requirements For Cat Palm Vs. Majesty Palm

That overall difference between cat palm vs. majestic palm is the one in the growing requirements that include

  • Light requirements – These plants have different light needs. Cat palm thrives in filtered light and hates direct sunlight. On the other hand, the Majesty palm loves plenty of light, even a few hours of direct light without any adverse effects.
  • Water requirements – Both plants love water and don’t like to dry out completely. But, they hate being waterlogged and will die from root rot if overwatered.
  • Soil requirements – The soil for both palm plants must be well-draining and slightly moist. Cat palm prefers neutral soil, while majestic palms like more acidic soil. Get some peat moss added to your soil to lower the pH, and add perlite to increase the drainage power.
  • Humidity requirements – The Majesty palm does not like to get dry but likes higher humidity levels. If humidity levels drop, they are prone to spider mites attack. Therefore, you will need to learn how to balance the watering of this plant.
  • Temperature requirements – Both palm plants like temperatures that range between 65 to 80 degrees F.  Majestic palm is tolerant to bright light and happily receives direct sunlight for a few hours each day. The Cat Palm is tolerant of drier conditions and allows dry periods between watering.
  • Indoor care requirements – Cat palm is easy to grow indoors, making it the best palm for first-time plant owners. All cat palm plant needs are moist soil and bright, indirect sunlight to grow healthy. On the other hand, Majesty Palm requires plenty of bright sunlight and regular feeding and misting to achieve its majestic appearance. If proper care is not provided to these two palms, their leaves turn yellow and droop and later on begin to fall off.

Pests And Diseases Issue In Cat Palm Vs. Majesty Palm

Both palms are equally susceptible to spider mites, especially in low humidity. However, the majesty palm is more prone to pests than the Cat Palm. This is because majestic palms need more moisture and frequent watering. Therefore, it’s easy for this plant to dry out completely and attract a number of pests that thrive in dry conditions.

What Is A Cat Palm Tree?

The Cat Palm is a beautiful indoor palm plant that creates an outstanding backdrop in your living space. It is very similar to the areca palm, except its stems are green, and areca’s are yellow-golden.

If you are attracted to the areca palm but realize you don’t have enough space to grow it, choose to grow cat palm. The cat palm prefers shady areas, though it still tolerates the sun. It grows to a height of about 6 to 8 feet tall at a slow pace.

Why Is It Called Cat Palm?

Cat palm plant is called so because its official name is cataract palm. So cat palm is short for Cataract.

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What Is Majesty Palm Tree?

The majesty palm tree or Ravenea rivularis is quite a large tree in its natural environment. It is majestic and elegant, just as its name suggests, with green fronds growing from multiple stems.

A  full-grown majesty palm looks like a royal palm. It requires plenty of effort to grow and is recommended for gardeners who love to experience a unique palm. Majesty palm sunlight needs are high as this tree thrives under plenty of light.

Are Majesty Palms Indoor Or Outdoor Plants?

Majesty palms thrive indoors when provided with the proper care. It is slightly difficult to maintain, requiring plenty of time devoted to its maintenance. However, it is not advisable for new plant owners to start with this plant.

Conclusion

Cat palm vs. majesty palm have their differences, but they both belong to the palm family. They both do well indoors and outdoors, but each has a more favorable growth journey that outweighs the other.

We have no favorite because each of these palm plants does so well. However, we have provided you with a guide to help you make a wise decision.

When choosing which palm to grow, either indoors or outdoors, you have your facts laid down and an easier choice to go by.

All the best in your gardening journey!

 

What is a cat palm tree?

The Cat Palm is a beautiful indoor palm plant that creates an outstanding backdrop in your living space.  It is very similar to the areca palm except its stems are green, and areca's are yellow-golden. 

If you are attracted to the areca palm but realize you don’t have enough space to grow it, choose to grow cat palm.  The cat palm prefers shady areas, though it still tolerates the sun. It grows to a height of about 6 to 8 feet tall at a slow pace. 

Why is it called cat palm?

Cat palm plant is called so because its official name is cataract palm.  So cat palm is short for Cataract. 

What is majesty palm tree?

The majesty palm tree or Ravenea rivularis is quite a large tree in its natural environment. It is majestic and elegant, just as its name suggests, with green fronds growing from multiple stems. 

A  full-grown majesty palm looks like a royal palm.  It requires plenty of effort to grow and is recommended for gardeners who love to experience a unique palm. Majesty palm sunlight needs are high as this tree thrives under plenty of light. 

Are Majesty Palms indoor or outdoor plants?

Majesty palms thrive indoors when provided with the proper care. It is slightly difficult to maintain, requiring plenty of time devoted to its maintenance. However, it is not advisable for new plant owners to start with this plant.

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