9 Palms Plants to Grow Indoors (2024)

Gardening

Houseplants

Types of Houseplants

With simple care tips, these palm plants can add lush greenery to your space

• 01 of 09

  Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)

  

  The star-shaped leaves of Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis) set it apart from other palms with feathery fronds.

  Despite slow growth, its mature height can reach 15 feet or taller. Seek out the subglobosa dwarf cultivar if you plan on growing this palm indoors.

  Chinese fan palms do well in bright light, but younger plants can tolerate shadier locations. Choose a large pot that will accommodate the plant's long taproot.

  Water when the top of the soil feels dry, and feed this palm once a year in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some shade
  • Water: Moderately moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Emerald green foliage

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• 02 of 09

  Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

  

  Also known as the bamboo palm, the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)is one of the easiest palms to grow indoors thanks to its tolerance of low light.

  It produces large, feathery green fronds that have a gentle curve.

  The areca palm prefers a moderate amount of water. Plant yours in fertile soil, and give it a monthly fertilizer application to maintain a lush look.

  • Light: Sun or shade but looks its best in bright, indirect light
  • Water: Moderately moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Yellow-green stems and light green leaves

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• 03 of 09

  Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

  

  The majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis)has two great qualities that make it an ideal indoor palm: It's very shade tolerant and is a slow grower.

  However, there are a couple of drawbacks of this palm. It needs consistent moisture and humidity, and it will eventually outgrow an indoor space.

  If you can keep your majesty palm in a reasonably humid area, such as the kitchen or bathroom, then you can look forward to cultivating a graceful stand of dark green fronds thatwill add life to an empty corner of your home.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light for the entire day
  • Water: Consistently moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Bright green to dark green leaves

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• 04 of 09

  Cascade Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum)

  

  Unlike palm trees that feature a central trunk, Chamaedorea cataractarum is a very full palm with clumps of fronds that can eventually reach six feet tall.

  You'll be able to separate mature specimens into clumps and propagate them into new plants.

  In its native habitat, the cascade palm thrives along streams and in wet lowlands, so it needs consistent watering when grown indoors.

  Fortunately for houseplant lovers, cascade palms are understory plants that can tolerate limited light.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates shade; avoid direct sunlight
  • Water: Consistently moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Dark green leaves

  See Also

  How to Plant Succulents: Complete Beginner's Guide

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• 05 of 09

  Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

  

  As the name suggests, the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is one of the easiest palms to grow indoors.

  It grows in average indoor light (or even artificial light) and typical home temperatures.

  Plus, it requires no pruning other than an occasional tidying of dead branches.

  Parlor palms flourish in above-average humidity. Be aware they might attract spider mites if conditions are very dry.

  • Light: Indirect light; avoid direct sun
  • Water: Consistently moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Light green leaves

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• 06 of 09

  Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

  

  Indoor palm plant identification is easy for the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), with its short, sturdy trunk and gracefully arching leaves.

  This plant is not a true palm at all—it's actually a succulent.

  The ponytail palm's swollen trunk isn't just ornamental; it functions as a water reservoir for the plant, making it very drought-tolerant.

  Give your plant a sunny location for optimal plant health. Ponytail palms can handle becoming pot-bound. In fact, this can keep growth manageable for a tabletop specimen.

  • Light: Full sun; tolerates bright, indirect light
  • Water: Moderately moist soil, will tolerate dry conditions
  • Color Varieties: Light green leaves

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• 07 of 09

  Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

  

  If the sago palm is your first introduction to the world of indoor palm plants, you're in for a treat. Stiff fronds grow upright from a short, shaggy trunk that resembles a pineapple.

  This plant—which is not a true palm but is more closely related to conifers—is very slow-growing.

  Choose an indoor location that receives filtered sun for four to six hours per day. The sago palm needs regular and consistent moisture, but make sure the soil surface is nearly dry before each watering.

  • Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light; tolerates some shade
  • Water: Moderately moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Light green leaves

  Warning

  The sago palm is toxic to humans and pets. So be mindful about its placement as a houseplant if you have kids or animals.

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• 08 of 09

  Yucca Palm (Yucca elephantipes)

  

  Indoor palm plant identification is very important when it comes to yucca palms. Yucca aloifolia, also known as the Spanish bayonet, has razor-sharp leaves and belongs outdoors.

  Yucca elephantipes is the spineless yucca palm. While its leaves do have a pointy tip, the plant is unlikely to draw blood like its spiny cousin.

  You might also see the indoor yucca palm sold under the name "stick yucca." Tough, strappy green leaves emerge from an attractive, textured trunk.

  The plants are very drought tolerant and grow in light levels ranging from full sun or part shade.

  • Light: Full sun to part shade
  • Water: Moderately moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Light green to bluish-green

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• 09 of 09

  Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

  

  The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) thrives in moderate warmth and humidity. It's quite adaptable to a range of conditions, making this species an excellent indoor palm plant.

  Take care to get your Kentia palm's placement right in relation to the light source in your space.

  Too little light will cause slow growth, but exposure to direct sun can burn the leaves, especially for specimens under five years old.

  Water this plant consistently when the top inch or so of the soil has dried out. Underwatering can cause brown tips on this plant's long, arcing green fronds, while overwatering can cause fronds to yellow and die back.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light when immature; mature specimens can tolerate direct sun
  • Water: Lightly moist soil
  • Color Varieties: Bright green fronds and brown stems