Bringing the lush tropics into your home is something that is more attainable than some people may think. Caring for palms may seem scary, but it is actually very easy! These elegant and resilient plants not only add a touch of paradise to your space, infuse a sense of tranquility and stress relief, as well as purify the air. In this curated list, we present what we consider to be the 10 Best Indoor Palms that are sure to transform your interior, and also provide key insights on care and maintenance, what we consider the best and worst attributes of each variety, and styling tips. Read on to discover the perfect indoor palm for you!
How big do indoor palm trees get?
In general, palms are slow-growing plants, and their growth rate becomes even slower when they are kept indoors in containers. Their growth rate and mature height vary depending on the type of palm, but the tallest ones can range upwards of 10 to 12 feet. Be considerate of the variety you're looking to grow and make sure it will fit the space it is intended to fill as it grows larger.
Do indoor palm plants need sunlight?
Yes, indoor palms do best with bright, indirect sunlight. While sunlight plays a crucial role in the overall health of palms, direct sunlight through a window can cause magnifying glass effect and lead to leaf burns and damage in the fronds. Optimal conditions for palm growth can vary depending on the palm variety. However, medium sized palms in their natural habitat often thrive under the shelter of larger palms, experiencing periods of indirect light and occasional partial shade. These characteristics make indoor environments well suited for their growth. When keeping palms indoors make sure you pay attention to their humidity needs, and spray the fronds with water to maintain a fresh appearance.
1. Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
Also known as Butterfly Palm, Yellow Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Bamboo Palm.
In addition to its stunning, graceful appeal, the Areca Palm is one of the easiest palms to grow indoors, making it a great tropical addition to any interior space. It has green feathery arching fronds that are full of delicate leaflets, providing an airy and delicate texture. When grown indoors, it reaches heights of 6-12 ft. It is considered the #1 overall palm for indoor use.
Light: Bright, indirect light
Watering: Moderate
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Soil: Slightly acidic soil with good drainage
Pruning: Only necessary when you notice yellow or brown fronds
Best Attributes:
Air purifier, effectively removes toxins in the air
Very easy to care for
Watch out for:
As it matures, fronds will yellow
Styling Tips: The Areca Palm makes an excellent floor plant, and is a fantastic option for decorating events.
2. Majesty Palm Ravenea rivularis
Also known as Majestic Palm.
The Majesty Palm adds an exotic and tropical appeal to any indoor space. Its trunk is slender and smooth, growing straight upright. While young, its trunk displays a vibrant green color, transitioning to brown as it matures. Above the trunk, you'll find long arching fronds adorned with feathery leaflets. When planted indoors, they grow to a height of 6-10 ft. The Majestic Palm looks every bit as majestic as its name implies.
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Moderate
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained soil
Pruning: Trim yellow, brown or dried-out fronds
Best Attributes:
Adaptable to different light conditions, shade tolerant
Excellent air purifier
Low maintenance
Lush focal point with attractive foliage even as a young palm
Watch out for:
Requires constant humidity and misting on the fronds
Does not react well to sudden drops in temperature
May not be the easiest plant for beginners
Styling Tips:
Place in well-lit corners to enhance the space.
3. Cascade Palm Chamaedorea cataractarum
Also known as Cat Palm or Cataract Palm.
The Cat Palm is characterized by lush, feather-like arching fronds. It resembles the Areca Palm but has green stems. This very full and green palm that has a clumping habit slowly grows up to 6 ft tall and is a good option for an indoor palm.
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Water thoroughly once a week, and mist the fronds.
Soil: Slightly acidic well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Only prune yellow or brown leaves
Best Attributes:
Shade tolerant
Low maintenance
Adds humidity to the air
Removes toxins in the air and purifies it
Watch out for:
Avoid overwatering or letting the soil dry out too much
Don’t place it in direct sunlight, as it can burn the fronds
Styling Tips:
Excellent as a corner palm, or if small, as a table palm.
4. Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata
Also known as Elephant´s foot tree.
The Ponytail Palm is a short and sturdy plant that, despite its common name, is not really a palm but a succulent. It looks stunning as a tabletop plant, with its thick trunk and gracefully arching leaves resembling a ponytail. The Ponytail Palm makes any space stand out immediately!
Light: Bright indirect light and partial shade
Watering: Low water needs, the soil needs to dry out between waterings
Soil: Very well-drained soil, cactus, and succulent mix is best
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Trim off any brown leaves or tips
Best Attributes:
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Pest resistant
Watch out for:
This plant needs direct sunlight, so if you plan on placing it in an area with low light, transfer it to an area with direct sunlight twice a week
Styling Tips:
Perfect as a tabletop palm, for coffee tables or kitchen countertops
5. Raphis Palm Raphis excelsa
Also Known as Lady Palm, Bamboo Palm, Japanese Lady Palm, or Good Luck Palm
The Raphis Palm is a slow-growing, elegant-looking palm. Its dark green, deeply divided glossy leaves are fan-shaped, resembling the slender fingers of a woman´s hand, which led to the nickname “Lady palm”. When placed indoors, it grows very slowly to about 5 or 6 ft.
Light: Direct sunlight or bright indirect light, but it can also adapt to partial shade
Watering: Average, once a week
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil
Fertilization: Summer
Pruning: Only prune yellow or brown leaves
Best Attributes:
Elegant appearance
Versatile looks, can be trimmed to showcase the trunks or styled with full foliage from the bottom
Adaptable to different light conditions
Air-purifying, effectively eliminating airborne contaminants
Watch out for:
Do not over-fertilize, it needs half the amount of fertilizer as other palms
Very slow growing
Consider it may be pricier than similar-sized palms
Styling Tips:
Ideal as an entrance plant, in the dining room or living room as it adds a tropical elegant touch to formal spaces
Pruning the bottom leaves can enhance its elegance
6. Pygmy Date Palm Phoenix roebelenii
Also known as Miniature Date Palm, Robellini Palm, and Dwarf Date Palm.
The Pygmy Date Palm is a slow-growing palm with trunks wrapped in distinctive peg-like leaf bases and feathery cascading green fronds. Its delicate fronds add elegance to the palm, as they flow over the sturdy thick trunks. They can be found as single-trunk specimens but are usually found as triple trunks. This visually striking and sculptural specimen grows 5-6 ft tall and 4 feet wide when indoors.
Light: Bright indirect light or direct morning light
Watering: Average, once a week
Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Only prune decaying fronds by cutting from the base
Best Attributes:
Suitable in multiple lighting conditions
Great as a standalone Palm
Very easy to maintain
Watch Out For:
Sharp spines at the base of the trunks
Avoid over-pruning, as it weakens the palm
Styling Tips:
A Pygmy Date Palm would nicely fill any corner of the house. Younger palms can be used as tabletop palms.
7. Christmas Palm Adonidia merrillii
Also known as Manilla Palm, Adonidia, Merrill Palm
Christmas Palms are characterized by a crown of abundant feathery fronds that gracefully arch over tall and smooth trunks, creating a beautiful canopy of shade. These palms are available in single, double, or triple trunk varieties, and their compact nature allows them to thrive and bring charm to even the most confined spaces.
Light: Direct light or bright indirect light
Watering: Average, once a week
Soil: Well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Self-cleaning, the fronds drop once they die
Best Attributes:
Fast growing
Easy maintenance
Gives a full palm look in a compact palm
Watch Out For:
Avoid letting it sit in wet and soggy soil as it can cause fungus
Styling tips:
Great option for events and rentals. Good to place anywhere you want an instant atmosphere.
8. Yucca Palm Yucca Gigantea
Also known as Giant Yucca, Spineless Yucca, Yucca Elephantipes.
The Yucca Palm, really called Yucca Elephantipe, is not really a palm, despite its resemblance to a palm. It is a tree-like succulent that can have either one trunk or multiple trunks. It features evergreen leaves that are free of spines, making it visually appealing both as a young plant and as a more mature specimen.
Light: Bright, direct sunlight but will tolerate some shade
Watering: Low once a week
Soil: Well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Not needed
Best Attributes:
Easy maintenance
Stunning appearance as a young plant
Watch Out For:
Avoid overwatering, as it can cause root decay
Toxic to animals
Styling tips:
This plant looks great with any décor, especially modern décor. It is one of the most versatile and low-maintenance indoor palms
9. Sago Palm Cycas Revoluta
Although a cycad and not a palm, the Sago Palm resembles a small palm. It is a very slow-growing plant that has been around since prehistoric times. This short, slow-growing plant features glossy green, evergreen, feathery fronds and short trunks. This plant does not fail to dazzle!
Light: Bright, direct sunlight and indirect light
Watering: Low, once a week
Soil: Well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Not needed
Best Attributes:
Low maintenance
Watch Out For
This plant is highly toxic to humans and animals if ingested
Prone to fungus
10. Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans
The Parlor Palm is one of the best palms for beginners due to its ease of maintenance. It grows in clumps resembling a small shrub and reaches a maximum height of between 2-6 ft. This vibrant, lush, tropical plant is often found as a small specimen. This is the best palm to choose when thinking of bringing a palm to a compact space.
Light: Indirect light and partial shade
Watering: Low, once a week
Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained soil
Fertilization: Spring and Summer
Pruning: Not needed
Best Attributes:
Tolerates low-light environments
Purifies and cleans air
Watch out for:
Avoid exposing it to excessive sunlight
Be cautious of overwatering
Styling tips:
Use it as a tabletop palm or countertop palm. A great choice for compact spaces.
Find Your Perfect Indoor Palm at Atlanta Palms
If you’re looking for the perfect indoor palm to spruce up your living space, Atlanta Palms is the place to go. Our commitment to offering the finest selection, coupled with our expertise in palm care, ensures that your chosen palms will not only thrive but also become captivating focal points within your home. From tall palms that add height and drama to low-maintenance plants that thrive in indirect light, Atlanta Palms has something for everyone. So, don’t wait any longer! Visit Atlanta Palms to find the perfect palm for your home today.
