Adding a palm tree to your home is a daily reminder that somewhere in the world, there’s a hammock waiting for you and your favorite cold beverage. The first step towards keeping the fantasy alive: Choosing a palm tree type that will thrive in your space. Palm trees can generally be a little bit of a challenge in the home, so we tapped two experts for advice on which type of palm tree to keep indoors—plus a few beautiful look-alikes if this variety is too fussy for your plant parenting style.
Bamboo Palm
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Chamaedorea seifrizii produces gorgeous, dark green foliage on trunks that resemble bamboo’s woody, ringed stems. It’s also a superstar for its ability to excel even in full shade. “We have one at the conservatory in a very dark corner, and it’s very, very happy and thriving there,” Hachadourian says.
- Light: bright, indirect light to shade
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, allowing the top of the soil to dry out a bit between waterings
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil, mist often, and check regularly for houseplant bugs
Cat Palm
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Also known as the Cascade Palm, Chamaedorea cataractarum grows in soft, dense clumps. Lush, hardy, and tolerant of a wide range of light conditions, it’s considered one of the easiest palms to grow indoors.
- Light: bright, indirect light to shade
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil, mist often, and check regularly for houseplant bugs
Japanese Lady Palm
Rhapis excelsa grows slowly (and thus comes at a price), but it also tolerates sporadic watering and is less susceptible to pests than many other palms, making it fairly to care for. The small palm tree’s glossy dark green or gorgeous variegated leaves fan out on sturdy stems, giving it a perky tropical look.
- Light: bright, indirect to low light
- Water: Keep soil moderately moist, allowing it to dry between waterings.
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil
Kentia Palm
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A classic Victorian palm that adapts well to indoor conditions, Howea fosteriana has picture-perfect, gracefully arching fronds. This popular palm can tolerate dry indoor air and a bit of neglect. And while it’s a slow grower, with good care it can reach a height of 10 feet.
- Light: bright, indirect to medium light
- Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy, watering when the top inch or two of soil feel dry
- Basic care needs: Plant in sandy, loamy, well-draining soil and check regularly for houseplant bugs
Parlor Palm
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One of the most popular houseplants of the Victorian era, Chamaedorea elegans is good-looking, easy to care for, and nontoxic to pets. It’s an understory plant in its native habitat, the rainforests of southeastern Mexico and northern Guatemala, making it a natural in home settings, even in low-light places other plants can’t tolerate.
- Light: bright, indirect to low light
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist, watering when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil, mist weekly, and check regularly for houseplant bugs
Ponytail Palm
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Despite the name (and its look), Beaucarnea recurvata isn’t a palm but a succulent. That’s good news if you’re looking for a big, easy-care plant with a tropical look and personality to boot. Also known as Elephant’s Foot, it has a bulbous base that stores water. It’s also less picky about light than you might expect. “Technically, ponytail palm really wants good light,” Yiesla says. “But I’ve seen them tolerate low light longer than a lot of houseplants.”
- Light: full sun, but can tolerate less
- Water: water deeply but infrequently and reduce watering in winter
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil and check occasionally for houseplant bugs. Move outside in summer to offer extra light when weather permits.
Yellow Butterfly Palm
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Also known as Areca Palm, Dypsis lutescens areca produces pretty, arching fronds on clustered stems that look like bamboo canes. Keep yours happy with extra misting or a humidifier, especially in winter.
- Light: bright, indirect to low light
- Water: Water when the soil surface is dry to the touch, taking care to avoid both under- and overwatering
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil, mist often, and check regularly for houseplant bugs
Dragon Tree
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Not a palm but an evergreen succulent, Dracaena draco has spiky leaves and leggy, woody stems that give it a cool tropical vibe. It stays slim and grows slowly, making it a great choice for small spaces. Relatively easy to care for, it’s a great choice for busy or beginning plant owners looking for a little drama.
- Light: bright, indirect light, but will tolerate low light
- Water: Let soil dry to the touch between waterings and avoid soggy soil
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil and check occasionally for aphids. When weather permits, move outside to offer extra light
Bird of Paradise
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Strelitzia isn’t a palm, but it’s a good-looking tropical plant with the feel of one. For indoor use, look for Orange Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) or White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai). You won’t see blooms in low indoor light, Yiesla says, “but it’s still a very cool-looking plant with very large leaves. And it can get some good size on it if you’re looking for a floor plant that’s a nice accent piece.”
- Light: bright, indirect to partial sun
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Basic care needs: Plant in well-draining soil and move outside when weather permits to encourage flowering and growth
