Plant comparison
Areca palm vs Kentia palm
Two living-room palms with very similar silhouettes but quite different care thresholds.
| Areca palm | Kentia palm | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dypsis lutescens | Howea forsteriana |
| Light | Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window) | Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) |
| Water | When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 days | When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 10-14 days |
| Soil | Free-draining potting compost | Free-draining loam-based mix |
| Humidity | 50-60% | 40-60% |
| Temperature | 18-27°C (65-80°F) | 18-24°C (65-75°F) |
| USDA hardiness | 10-12 (indoor-only in most US homes) | 10-11 (indoor in most US homes) |
| RHS hardiness | H1b | H1c |
| Mature size | 1.5-2.5 m tall indoors | 2-3 m indoors |
| Growth habit | Multi-stemmed clumping palm | Single-stemmed slow-growing palm |
| Toxicity (cats/dogs) | Pet-safe | Pet-safe |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Areca palm — Areca palm if you prefer its multi-stemmed clumping palm habit at 1.5-2.5 m tall indoors indoors.
- Choose Kentia palm — Kentia palm if your spot has less light — it tolerates medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window), where Areca palm prefers bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window).
Either way, the full care brief lives on each plant's own page: Areca palm care and Kentia palm care. For pet-safety detail see Areca palm and Kentia palm.
Areca palm vs Kentia palm — frequently asked questions
Is Areca palm the same as Kentia palm?
No — Areca palm is Dypsis lutescens and Kentia palm is Howea forsteriana. Two living-room palms with very similar silhouettes but quite different care thresholds. The look can be similar, but their light, water and toxicity needs are not interchangeable.
Which is easier to care for, areca palm or kentia palm?
Easier comes down to your conditions. Areca palm wants bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window) and to be watered when the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 5-7 days. Kentia palm wants medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) and watering when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 10-14 days. Match the species to the brightest spot you actually have and how often you remember to water — both can be the easier pick for the right home.
Is areca palm or kentia palm safer for cats and dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Areca palm is pet-safe and Kentia palm is pet-safe. Either way, place them out of reach of curious chewers if pets share the home.
How big do areca palm and kentia palm get indoors?
Areca palm matures to 1.5-2.5 m tall indoors, with a multi-stemmed clumping palm habit. Kentia palm reaches 2-3 m indoors, single-stemmed slow-growing palm. Plan for the eventual size, not the size in the nursery pot.
Can areca palm and kentia palm live in the same room?
Yes — both can share a room as long as you give each one a spot that matches its light requirement. Areca palm needs bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window); Kentia palm needs medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window). Group them only if their watering and humidity needs are also close, otherwise keep them on different schedules.