Bamboo Palm vs Lady Palm
Identical care, both pet-safe, both fine in low light. The lady palm is slower, stiffer and pricier; the bamboo palm fills a corner faster.
Bamboo Palm originates in Mexico; Lady Palm in China. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
What they share: both are pet-safe, both are rated easy, both want low to medium light, both take moderate watering, both are happy in the same humidity and both stay medium.
Choose
Bamboo Palm if…
- ✓the look is what you are after: Bamboo-like canes with delicate fronds. Great air purifier.
Choose
Lady Palm if…
- ✓the look is what you are after: Fan-shaped fronds on bamboo-like stems. Excellent low-light palm.
Bamboo Palm vs Lady Palm: side by side
| Attribute |
Bamboo Palm
|
Lady Palm
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Palm | Palm |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
| Humidity | ●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
| Pet safe | Safe | Safe |
| Mature size | Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
| Growth rate | Slow | Slow |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Mexico | China |
Key differences between Bamboo Palm and Lady Palm
They come from different habitats
Bamboo Palm originates in Mexico; Lady Palm in China. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Bamboo Palm and Lady Palm apart
The lady palm is the more refined and more expensive of the two, with stiff, fan-shaped leaflets and a very slow, dense habit. The bamboo palm is softer, feathery and cheaper, and fills a corner faster. Both tolerate low light and both are pet-safe.
Care at a glance
Bamboo Palm
Chamaedorea Seifrizii, Reed Palm
Bamboo-like canes with delicate fronds. Great air purifier.
Care in one line: Low to medium light, keep moist, watch for spider mites.
Full Bamboo Palm care guide →
Lady Palm
Rhapis Excelsa, Broadleaf Lady Palm
Fan-shaped fronds on bamboo-like stems. Excellent low-light palm.
Care in one line: Low to medium light, keep evenly moist.
Full Lady Palm care guide →Bamboo Palm vs Lady Palm: common questions
What is the difference between Bamboo Palm and Lady Palm? +
The lady palm is the more refined and more expensive of the two, with stiff, fan-shaped leaflets and a very slow, dense habit. The bamboo palm is softer, feathery and cheaper, and fills a corner faster. Both tolerate low light and both are pet-safe. On care, bamboo Palm originates in Mexico; Lady Palm in China. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
Which is easier to care for, Bamboo Palm or Lady Palm? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is they come from different habitats.
Is Bamboo Palm or Lady Palm safe for cats and dogs? +
Both are safe. Bamboo Palm and Lady Palm are each non-toxic to cats and dogs, so either works in a home with animals.
Which needs less light, Bamboo Palm or Lady Palm? +
They are the same. Both score 2/5 for light, meaning fine a few metres back from a window.
Which needs more water, Bamboo Palm or Lady Palm? +
Neither - both score 3/5. For each one, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
Comparing something else?
Put any two or three of our 116 houseplants head to head on light, water, humidity, size and pet safety.
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