Palm plants bring a tropical touch, feeling of peace, and tranquility to any space. They are usually low maintenance and thrive well as houseplants. These slow growers can be between 3 to 8 feet in height and help in purifying indoor air, making them a favorite of interior designers. If you’re a palm fan too and looking to grow them as a houseplant, then this list of 17 Types of Indoor Palm Plants is going to help you a lot!

Have a look at indoor palm benefits proven in studies here

1. Areca Palm

Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens

Other Names: Golden Cane Palm, Butterfly Palm or Yellow Palm

Areca palm is a popular houseplant due to its ability to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. This palm attains an average height of 4-12 feet and spans 3-5 feet wide.

Growing Tips:

  • Provide enough humidity.
  • Avoid overwatering.

2. Chinese Fan Palm

Botanical Name: Livistona chinensis

Other Name: Fountain Palm

Fan-shaped, large leaves of this palm variety provides it a unique look and sets the plant apart among other palms. It grows up to 10 feet tall, spreading 2-4 feet with broad, elegant foliage.

  • Fertilize during the growing season.
  • Water when the topsoil is dry.

3. Parlor Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans

Other Name: Neanthe Bella Palm

The fine-textured parlor palm gained popularity as a houseplant due to its quick adaptability to low or artificial light settings. It acquires 2-6 feet height and spreads 2-3 feet.

  • Water regularly but avoid overwatering.
  • Protect it from cold drafts.

4. Ponytail Palm

Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Other Names: Elephant’s Foot Palm, Bottle Palm

This ornamental palm is actually a succulent. It’s a perfect choice for corners. The delicate curly leaves with a foot-like trunk give it an extraordinary appearance. Furthermore, it’s drought-tolerant and also purifies the indoor air.

  • It needs occasional watering.
  • Indirect sunlight is sufficient for its growth.

Also Read: 14 Indoor Plants That Need Water Once A Month

5. European Fan Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaerops humilis

Other Names: Mediterranean Fan Palm, Dwarf Fan Palm

European fan palm can be a large centerpiece of your room with its unique fan-like appearance. This winter-hardy palm is native to Europe; its gray-green triangular fine-textured leaves can usually spread up to 2 feet on 4 feet tall stems.

  • It requires filtered sunlight.
  • Keep the soil moist during summers. But water only when top one-inch soil gets dry.

6. Kentia Palm

Botanical Name: Howea forsteriana

Other Names: Thatch Palm, Paradise Palm

One of the most popular types of indoor palm plants of the Victorian era, Kentia palm is a slow grower that can reach a maximum height of 10 feet. Grow it if you want to have a large houseplant in your home.

Growing Tips: 

  • Place it in indirect sunlight.
  • It prefers warm temperature above 60 F (15 C)

7. Pygmy Date Palm

Botanical Name: Phoenix robelinii

Other Name: Miniature Date Palm

This NASA air-purifying plant belongs to date palms. With ornamental long and thin leaves, it reaches the height of 4-6 feet in pots, quite a manageable size indoors. When grown in warm surroundings and ample sunlight, it also produces edible mini-dates.

  • It prefers partial sunlight.
  • Feed the plant once a month, from spring to autumn, with diluted liquid fertilizer.

8. Lady Palm

Botanical Name: Rhapis excelsa & Rhapis humilis

Other Names: Broadleaf Lady, Little Lady Palm, Finger Palm, Bamboo Palm

Both these lady palm varieties have fan-like foliage that looks like delicate fingers. Interestingly, this is one of the rare palms that has both green and variegated leaves.

  • This palm can grow in indirect sunlight.
  • It requires constant moisture but not soggy soil.

9. Sago Palm

Botanical Name: Cycas revoluta

Other Names: Cycas Palm, Sago Palm

Though it is not a true palm, it looks like one due to its feathery fronds. The sago palm is a slow-growing species, reaching 2 feet tall in approx five years. Learn everything about growing this plant here.

  • Dry soil is perfect for its growth.
  • The sago palm grows best in bright indirect sunlight.

Also Read: How to Grow Sago Palm

10. Fishtail Palm

Botanical Name: Caryota mitis

Other Names: Fishtail Palm, Clustering Fishtail Palm, Clumping Fishtail Palm

The large bipinnate leaves with a triangular shape, look quite similar to a fishtail. It quickly adjusts in indoor conditions. You can even grow it in a bathroom or laundry room if space is available. This slow-growing plant can be 6 to 8 feet tall indoors.

  • It needs a minimum temperature of 60 F.
  • Keep the soil moist with a moderate watering schedule.

11. Ruffled Fan Palm

Botanical Name: Licuala grandis

Other Names: Vanuatu Fan Palm, Palas Fan Palm

This elegant palm showcases glossy fan-like fronds, it’s low maintenance and grows at a slow pace like other types of palms. While growing indoors, it usually remains around 4 to 6 feet tall.

  • It prefers humid conditions.
  • Position the plant in partial sunlight.

12. Cat Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea cataractarum

Other Names: Cascade Palm, Cataract Palm

This tropical palm grows in glossy dark green leaves on small shoots that add a dramatic touch to your interior. It grows in a stemless clump, attaining a height up to 6 feet indoors; you can restrict the growth by regular pruning as well.

  • It flourishes in bright indirect sunlight.
  • Keep the moisture of the soil even, but avoid overwatering.

13. Yucca

Botanical Name: Yucca elephantipes

Other Names: Spineless Yucca, Stick Yucca

This variety of yucca looks like a miniature palm tree or dragon tree Dracaena, it’s an ideal candidate for modern interior decor. Though it can be a tall tree outdoors, you can grow it indoors for several years until it becomes too big to handle.

  • Provide bright indirect sunlight, exposure to 2-3 hours of direct morning sun is ideal.
  • It grows best in well-drained soil.

14. Sentry Palm

Botanical Name: Howea belmoreana

Other Names: Curly Palm, Belmore Palm

This palm is quite similar to the kentia palm, growing feather-like, broad curly fronds, making it more appealing for large rooms or corners. It grows up to 8 feet tall, though, you can prune its length to suit your needs.

  • Place the plant in indirect, partial sunlight.
  • It prefers high humid conditions, so mist the plant during dry spells.

15. Bamboo Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii

Other Name: Reed Palm

Potted bamboo palm can enhance the beauty of any interior decor. It can reach up 5-7 feet tall with 3-5 feet spread, growing in clumps with multiple reed-like stems. Besides that, according to NASA, the bamboo palm also cleanses and purifies indoor air, making it perfect for bedrooms.

  • Nourish your plant with bright, indirect sunlight.
  • Water the plant thoroughly in springs and summers, but less frequently in winters.

16. Majestic Palm

Botanical Name: Ravenea rivularis

Other Name: Majesty Palm

The upward arching, dark green fronds of majestic palm, can uplift an empty corner of your room with its larger than life appearance. This shade-resistant plant is a slow grower; hence, it is a perfect choice as a houseplant.

  • It requires consistent moisture and humidity.
  • Majestic palm can thrive in low-light conditions. Bright, indirect sunlight also works well.

17. Christmas Palm

Botanical Name: Adonidia merrillii

Other Name: Manila Palm

Native to the Philippines, this ornamental palm variety produces red-colored fruits in winters. They give a decorative look to the plant, especially during the holiday season. It quickly reaches up to 6 feet in height and grows slowly post that.

  • Though it grows in full sun in tropical areas, it can also tolerate partial shade as well.

  • This plant needs frequent watering during its growth period.

  • Shashikanta

  • April 13, 2022 At 11:29 am

  • Hi I am a nursery owner I want all types of palm seeds are you have available?

  • Reply

  • Nicolaslawn

  • November 21, 2022 At 2:02 pm

  • Personally, I have Howea forsteriana, which requires constant pruning, but it’s worth it. If I were to grow it in my garden, it would be bigger than if I were growing it indoors. It could grow up to 40 feet tall.

  • Reply

Hi I am a nursery owner I want all types of palm seeds are you have available?

Personally, I have Howea forsteriana, which requires constant pruning, but it’s worth it. If I were to grow it in my garden, it would be bigger than if I were growing it indoors. It could grow up to 40 feet tall.

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