How to Determine If I Have an Areca or Kentia Indoor Palm Tree
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Areca palm tree leaves may have as many as 80 to 100 leaflets.Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Measure the width and length of the leaflets — not the leaves. Individual leaves on both types of palms are thought to be branches by most houseplant owners. They are actually very long leaves with many narrow leaflets. The length of the leaf will vary depending on its age and that of the palm, but the leaflets grow to a certain length and stop. Measure the longest leaflets toward the base of the leaf. Areca leaflets are 1 1/2 to 2 feet long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Kentia palm leaflets are 2 1/2 feet long and 2 inches wide. - 2
Areca palm leaves look like huge green feathers.Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
Look at the general appearance of the plant. The areca palm tree has a very fine-textured look, with leaves held upright in a more vertical position. The leaflets are arranged along the leaf stems in a “V." The kentia palm tree has a more coarse appearance. The leaves tend to hang down in a weeping fashion, and the leaflets hang down from the leaf stem. - 3). Check the color of the leaves — top and bottom. The leaves of kentia palm trees have dark green tops with light green underneath. Areca palm tree leaves are a rich medium green on both sides.
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The trunks of kentia palm trees turn pale gray as they age.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Look at the stems, trunk or trunks at the base of the palm tree. The kentia palm is a single-trunk tree and the areca palm tree grows in clusters, with many smaller stems. Since greenhouses commonly plant multiple palm trees in a single container, the number of trunks or stems on the palm tree may not be easily discernible. Kentia palms and areca palms, however, have very different stem or trunk colors. Areca palm trees, also commonly called the golden cane palm, have bright golden stems. Young indoor kentia palm trees have green trunks.
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