Cat Palm vs. Majesty Palm: Which is the Best for You?

Are you facing a dilemma at the plant store, trying to decide between two lush palm plants - the Cat Palm and the Majesty Palm? Both are begging for a cozy spot in your home, but which should you pick?

We get it, picking between two gorgeous palms can be a tough decision, especially when they look so similar at first glance. But the care and quirks of the Cat Palm and Majesty Palm are very different.

To help you find the perfect match for your indoor space, we take a look at the similarities and differences in this Cat Palm vs Majesty Palm comparison.

Cat Palm and Majesty Palm: Similarities and Differences

The Cat Palm, scientifically known as Chamaedorea cataractarum, is also called the cataract palm or cascade palm. Originating from the sunny lands of Central and South America, it boasts beautiful dark green palm fronds and thrives best in bright light.

On the other hand, we have the Majesty Palm, or Ravenea rivularis, also known as the majestic palm. It's part of the Arecaceae family and originates from Madagascar. With its graceful arching fronds, this palm loves basking in full sun.

Shop The Cat Palm at Bloomscape here.

Cat Palm vs Majesty Palm: The Similarities

Though both palm plants, the Cat Palm and Majesty Palm have only a few similarities. They require similar care and are non-toxic to pets and humans. They also share a common enemy - the pesky spider mites.

Some green-thumbed folks claim that the Majesty Palm demands more care than the Cat Palm. But there is only an ever so slight difference in their growing needs, especially when it comes to humidity.

Shop The Majesty Palm at The Sill.

Cat Palm vs Majesty Palm: The Differences

The main differences between the two palms are their looks, size, and growth habits.

The Cat Palm boasts bright green leaves, reaching around 2 to 3 feet. The Majesty Palm grows longer, wider, and fuller dark green leaves which can grow up to a staggering 6 to 8 feet tall. You'll notice that the Majesty Palm's leaves have a more pronounced central vein, while Cat Palm leaves are slender and delicate.

As for size, Majesty Palms can reach impressive heights, from 10 to 100 feet in their natural environment, while Cat Palms stay shorter, around 6 to 8 feet. Of course, how they grow will depend on the care they get, like nutrients, water, light, and space.

In terms of their appearance, Majesty Palms have a compact and upright growth pattern, with several fronds forming a canopy. The Cat Palm goes for a more relaxed look, with fronds gracefully drooping down.

Ease of Care

When it comes to ease of care, the Cat Palm is known to be less fussy than the Majesty Palm. It's not too tough to take care of their watering, light, and feeding needs, making it a stress-free plant parent's dream.

But choosing between these two plants will depend on your home's ability to meet their needs.

Light Needs

The Cat Palm is a perfect houseplant, enjoying bright indirect light. The Majesty Palm feels right at home in outdoor landscapes, thriving under sunlight or bright indirect light all day long.

But Majesty Palms can still do well as houseplants in a pot without direct sunlight. However, it's worth noting that it might need a bit more attention compared to the low-maintenance Cat Palm.

Watering

Both palms are big fans of regular watering to keep their soil moist and happy, but Majesty Palms do need more water to thrive.

The Majesty Palm prefers consistently moist soil, so it's essentially you never let their soil dry out. On the other hand, the Cat Palm can tolerate slightly drier conditions, so you don't need to keep checking on their soil.

Fertilization

Both Cat Palms and Majesty Palms thrive in well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. This is essential to avoid root rot.

For the Cat Palm, regular potting soil with added perlite or coarse sand is ideal, enhancing its moisture-holding capacity and making the soil light and fluffy.

As for the Majesty Palm, it prefers slightly acidic soil, so you'll need a mix of cactus potting soil and peat. They need a soil pH between 5.7 to 6.5 for perfect care.

Humidity

Cat Palms can handle drier air without any fuss, making them a relaxed and low-maintenance type of plant. They thrive in humidity levels around 50% and can handle different conditions just fine.

Majesty Palms, though, are more sensitive to dry air compared to Cat Palms. They do enjoy similar humidity but might need a bit more attention to stay vibrant and happy.

Growth and Size

Let's look at the growth and size of these two exquisite foliage plants.

The Cat Palm boasts a graceful look as a house plant that reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet, making it perfect for decorating entryways, living rooms, and corridors without overcrowding the space. Its slow growth makes it ideal for indoor pots, as it rarely requires repotting.

When it comes to growing Majesty Palm, you can expect a plant towering at around 10 feet tall when planted indoors. Or you can go big and plant it outdoors where it can easily soar over 80 feet tall. The Majesty Palm's leaves are also notably larger and wider than the leaves of the Cat Palm, adding to its majestic appearance.

The key here is space consideration. While the Cat Palm stays compact and manageable indoors, the Majesty Palm demands more room and care to accommodate its size and growth.

Our Pick: Cat Palm

While both will make stunning indoor palms in your space, we can't deny the charm, versatility, and ease of care of the Cat Palm.

With its soft fronds and modest height and size, it brings a vibrant and refreshing touch to your living space and can complement various interior styles.

Cat Palms are perfect for first-time plant owners or for those who already have a vast jungle collection but want low maintenance. They thrive well in bright homes with indirect sunlight and forgive you for those busy days when watering slips your mind.

Plus, an interesting tidbit, Cat Palm - like most palm species - has been shown to filter and purify the air in your home.

FAQs

How do I know if my Cat Palm or Majesty Palm is dying?

A common sign that Majesty Palms are in distress is browning palm fronds and drooping leaves. For both palms, brown-tipped leaves can indicate over- or underwatering. Additionally, too dry air can affect the health of Cat Palms.

What do I do if my palm plant has spider mites?

Spider mites on your palm plants can be frustrating, but quick action can save them! You can spray your palm with a mixture of regular dish shop and water or rub the leaves with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water. For more severe infestations, consider using a horticultural oil like neem oil or insecticidal soap.