Wondering what types of indoor palm trees you can grow?
You’re not alone.
Palm trees scrub the air around them of impurities and create a relaxing environment. But, if you have pets or you live in a small space, that doesn’t mean there aren’t types of indoor palm trees you can grow, you just need to know which ones will work best for your specific situation.
This guide examines 37 types of indoor palm trees that can adapt and live for decades with the right care.
Choosing the right one for your home will depend on how much time you have to take care of it, the space available, and even where you live.
Palm trees are hardy plants in general, but some of them need a bit more care and attention than others.
Let’s have a look at which types of indoor palm trees might be right for your home.
37 Types of Indoor Palm Trees To Grow (Pictures): Ranked Best to Worst
Indoor palm trees can transform the interior of a home into a tropical paradise. Juts how many types of palm trees are there? Hundreds… but for indoor use, choose wisely.
These 37 varieties are great for indoor growing.
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Areca Palm | 6-7 Feet | Chrysalidocarpus lutescens | 15 – 75 °F | 9a-11 | 1 | Madagascar |
| Parlor Palm | 2-6 Feet | Chamaedorea elegans | 25 – 85°F | 9b-11 | 2 | Guatemala |
| Kentia Palm | 3-12 Feet | Howeia forsteriana | 25 – 75°F | 3 | Australia | |
| Rhapis Palm (Lady Palm) | 2-7 Feet | Rhapis excelsa | 15 – 75°F | 8b-11 | 4 | China |
| Chinese Fan Palm | 6 Feet | Livistona chinensis | 15 – 75°F | 8a-11 | 5 | China/ Japan |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranks | Native |
| Cascade Palm | 6 Feet | Chamaedorea cataractarum | 70 – 80°F | 9b-11 | 6 | Mexico |
| Majesty Palm | 5 Feet | Ravenea rivularis | 25 – 75°F | 7 | Madagascar | |
| Dwarf Bamboo Palm | 2-6 Feet | Chamaedorea radicalis | 65 – 80°F | 10-11 | 8 | Mexico |
| Bamboo Palm | 4-12 Feet | Chamaedorea erumpens | 65 – 85°F | 9a-11 | 9 | Mexico |
| Yucca Palm | 9-10 Feet | Yucca elephantipes | 18 – 80°F | 10 | 10 | Mexico |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Manila Palm | 10-20 Feet | Veitchia merrillii | 30 – 90°F | 10a-11 | 11 | Philippines |
| Ruffled Fan Palm | 6 Feet | Licuala grandis | 30 -85°F | 10a-11 | 12 | Vanuata Islands |
| European Fan Palm | 5-9 Feet | Chamaerops humilis | 10 – 80°F | 7b-11 | 13 | Europe |
| Pygmy Date Palm | 4-5 Feet | Phoenix roebelenii | 15 – 80°F | 8b-11 | 14 | Southern China |
| Buccaneer Palm | 10-15 Feet | Pseudophoenix sargentii | 30 – 95°F | 10-11 | 15 | Florida/ Carribean |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Canary Island Date Palm | 6 Feet | Phoenix Canariensis | 20 – 100°F | 9-11 | 16 | Canary Islands/ Africa |
| Banana Palm | 6 Feet | Musa oriana | 75 – 95°F | 8b-11 | 17 | Southeast asia |
| Red Feather Palm | 4-8 Feet | Chambeyronia macrocarpa | 20 – 90°F | 9a-11 | 18 | New Caledonia |
| Jade Empress Palm | 10-20 feet | Rhapis multifida | 20 – 95°F | 9a-11 | 19 | China |
| Joey Palm | 10-20 Feet | Johannesteijsmannia altifrons | 25 – 75°F | 9b-11 | 20 | Southeast Asia |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Metallica Palm | 5-10 Feet | Chamaedorea metallica | 25 – 90°F | 9b-11 | 21 | Mexico |
| Miniature Chusan Palm | 10-15 Feet | Trachycarpus wagnerianus | 0 – 80°F | 7a-11 | 22 | China |
| Saw Palmetto | 5-10 Feet | Serenoa repens | 0 – 80°F | 7a-11 | 23 | United States |
| Spindle Palm | 10 Feet | Hyophorbe verschaffeltii | 30 – 95°F | 10a-11 | 24 | Mascarene Islands |
| Travelers Palm | 3-8 Feet | Ravenala madagascariensi | 50 – 80°F | 11-12 | 25 | Madagascar |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Sunset Palm | 6-10 Feet | Calyptrocalyx albertisianus | 40 – 95°F | 11 | 26 | Indonesia |
| Triangle Palm | 6-10 Feet | Dypsis decaryi | 30 – 40°F | 10a-11 | 27 | Madagascar |
| Windmill Palm | 6 – 10 Feet | Trachycarpus fortunei | 5 – 90°F | 7b-11 | 28 | China |
| Ponytail Palm | 6 Feet | Beaucarnea recurvata | 15 – 80°F | 8b-11 | 29 | Mexico |
| Fishtail Palm | 10 Feet | Caryota mitis | 55 – 80°F | 8b-11 | 30 | Asia/ India |
| Palm Tree | Height | Scientific Name | Temp | Hardiness Zone | Ranking | Native |
| Ivory Cane Palm | 4-8 Feet | Pinanga coronata | 30 – 55°F | 31 | Indonesia | |
| Ivory Crownshaft Palm | 10-30 Feet | Pinanga dicksonii | 30 – 80°F | 32 | Indonesia | |
| Cardboard Palm | 5-10 Feet | Zamia furfuracea | 20 – 95°F | 10-11 | 33 | Mexico |
| Lipstick Palm | 5-15 Feet | Cyrtostachys renda | 75 – 85°F | 34 | Malaysia | |
| Needle Palm | 3-6 Feet | Rhapidophyllum hystrix | 15 – 80°F | 6-11 | 35 | United States |
| Bottle Palm | 10-12 Feet | Hyophorbe lagenicaulis | 30 – 80°F | 10-11 | 36 | Mascarene Islands |
| Sago Palm | 3-10 Feet | Cycas revoluta | 10 – 90°F | 7b-11 | 37 | Japan |
When determining which is the best and which is the worst palm tree for indoor use, certain criteria need to be met.
Factors such as how often it needs to be watered, how often it needs to be pruned, sunshine requirements, how soon it might need repotting, and even pest and disease problems.
How that freshly potted palm tree is going to look on the desk, in a corner of the room, or conservatory, had to be factored into the equation.
So, based on all these factors, the list of the 37 types of indoor palm trees to grow ranked from best to worst was formed.
The Sago Palm has been placed in the last position because, even though it ticks a lot of the boxes as a houseplant,3 (The Pennsylvania State University, 2022) it can be toxic to pets if ingested.
(Image: Teona Swift8)
However, this list is by no means exhaustive, and one man’s perfect palm plant may not be ideal for everyone.
Areca Palm Outdoor and Areca Palm Indoor
A native of Madagascar, the areca palm tree is a fan favorite for planting both outdoors and indoors.
Its appeal is its low maintenance in regards to pruning, and occasional watering as long as it is planted either in well-draining soil or a container with drainage holes when inside.
It is advisable to use distilled water indoor palm trees and even when there is a dry spell outside.
How To Grow Areca Palm (Areca Palm Fertilizer)
Place a well-draining mixture of peat moss and soil in a container with several holes drilled in the base. Use a liquid fertilizer regularly from the spring to the fall, then just occasionally water when the topsoil goes dry.
Related Reading: Types of Palm Trees in California
Areca Palm Indoor Care (Areca Palm Indoor Light)
Caring for your areca palm plant indoors starts with lighting. Outside, the plants are sun worshippers, so it is important that they are placed near windows or positions that afford maximum sunlight.
(Image: Liam Huyberechts9)
Ideal temperatures are between 65-75°F in a humid climate so the leaves won’t wilt in a dry environment.
Areca Palm Flower (Areca Palm Care)
The yellow flowers of the areca palm tree bloom in the early summer months and are followed a few months later by oval-shaped colorful fruits. To ensure that the tree bears fruits and flowers healthily, fertilize twice a year and water heavily without saturation.
Gentle misting of the leaves occasionally is beneficial as is pruning any dead leaves to encourage growth and rejuvenation.
Areca Palm Indoor Plant Benefits
The Areca Palm tree has several benefits when it comes indoors:
- Easy to care for compared to other indoor palm plants5
- It actually purifies the air
- It is very effective at absorbing carbon dioxide
- Promotes a higher level of humidity which is ideal in dry climates
Bamboo Palm (Bamboo Palm Indoor)
Potting a Bamboo palm tree to bring a splash of color into your home couldn’t be easier. Use a container with drainage holes covered in a cloth to prevent soil leakage, and fill part-way with high-quality soil.
After placing the roots into the pot, fill with the remainder of the soil then water with unfiltered water. Then it’s just a matter of placing it in a position where it will benefit from indirect sunlight and watching it grow.
Bamboo Palm Care (Bamboo Palm Indoor Care)
Whether outside or indoors, using a time-release fertilizer is recommended at the start of the growing season. Water with unfiltered water when potting then regularly when the soil feels dry to the touch.
(Image: Max Rahubovskiy10)
Do not overwhelm with too much water, just so the soil is moist, and monitor regularly even to check if any excess water is draining away sufficiently.
Bamboo Palm Benefits
What are the benefits of having a Bamboo Palm tree indoors?
- Absorbing air pollutants like tobacco smoke
- Absorbs toluene that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Adds moisture subtly to the air
- Absorbs colorless pollutants such as carbon monoxide, paint fumes, and even gasoline smells
Kentia Palm (Indoor Palm Care)
Even though it thrives in balmy climates, once it is potted indoors,7 the kentia palm tree adapts to its new environment very quickly.
Bathed in indirect light encourages steady growth as does regular watering when the topsoil is dry to the touch. Fronds that turn brown can be left in place until completely dead as they still provide nutrients for the plant.
Majesty Palm Indoor Care (Majesty Palm Dying)
The Majesty palm tree is a hardy plant but several things can lay it low. For instance, if there is too much water, if there is too little water, if the temperature drops very low, or if there is an infestation of insects.
Signs that the health of your plant is suffering are brown fronds that start to droop drastically, or even fungus infiltrating the trunk through the waterlogged roots.
If any of these conditions are noticed, it is not too late to save the palm tree as long as swift action is taken to reverse the deterioration. That could include simply misting to create more humidity, installing a water meter, or a regular maintenance schedule.
How To Revive a Dying Potted Palm Tree?
Reviving a dying plant on the verge of no return takes swift action. The temperature needs to be maintained between 65-75°F, the humidity needs to be increased, and for 10 minutes the entire pot needs to be submerged in water.
This works for all types of indoor palm trees and ensures that the entire root is absorbing enough water and then allow the excess to drain away thoroughly.
Continue to water every 7 days in the summer months and every 10-14 in the winter, even misting the leaves to create a touch of humidity.
It is important to remember that if the new houseplant is located close to air conditioners or a heat source,1 water evaporation can occur in the soil and that leads to the telltale sign of the leaves turning brown.
Best Practice for Indoor Palm Tree Care: Brown Leaves
Noticing brown leaves on your palm tree is not a cause for panic, but it is a sign that something is wrong. Identifying the problem will quickly lead to a solution.
Check the soil for oversaturation (too much water) in case there is root rot, check the leaves for spotting or mites, and ensure that the plant is getting sufficient sunlight.
(Image: Federica Giusti11)
Regular misting will encourage humidity in all types of indoor palm trees and bring the green back.
What’s Wrong With My Palm Tree?
If, after trying a few corrective methods to revive your flagging, brown-leaved palm tree, there is no change, what can be done next?
An often-overlooked issue is that your palm tree is suffering from a lack of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or even iron. The leaves will indicate which is lacking if they have bronze spots, yellowing around the fringes, or start to become misshapen, or irregular.
How To Trim an Indoor Palm Plant (How Much To Trim Palm Trees)
Just because some leaves on your indoor palm tree are partially brown, doesn’t mean that the whole leaf needs to be cut away. The brown tip can be pruned away, leaving the rest of the leaf to still grow and continue to contribute nutrients for the palm plants’ survival.
If the leaf is completely dead, however, it is wise to trim it away so it does not negatively affect the rest of the plant.
How To Keep a Palm Tree Alive Indoors During Winter
Before winter sets in, a slow-release fertilizer should be used so that for the next three months the palm tree will have enough nutrients.
Less watering will be required, but the temperature and humidity will need to be monitored to ensure the environment doesn’t become too cold or too dry. And do keep your eyes open for those pesky little pests.
Indoor Palm Tree Diseases (Pictures)
Like any living species, all types of indoor palm trees can be prone to infections, diseases, and infestations.
(Image: Sigrid Abalos12)
Some signs and problems to watch out for are:2
- Leaf spots that need to be treated with fungicidal sprays
- The deadly Ganoderma zonatum fungus
- Yellowing leaves. Possibly caused by the phytoplasma disease from the planthopper mite
- Black lesions that are signs of a bacterial infection like bud rot
- Black wart-like marks that are signs of false smut
- Masses of pink spores, called pink rot, caused if the palm tree is damaged, can stunt growth
- Gray mold on the fronds is a sign that the fungus sooty mold has infected the tree, normally alongside an insect infestation
- Thielaviopsis trunk rot is a fungus that causes the trunk to collapse and it needs to be tackled quickly or the palm tree will not survive this deadly disease.
Indoor Palm Plant Identification for a Sick Palm Plant (Pictures)
Palm reading is a skill that can be learned, as is being able to differentiate between a sick palm plant and one that’s just having a bad day.
Just because a few fronds are drooping doesn’t mean that the end is nigh for your palm plant. Neither do a few black or yellow marks on the leaves as not all fungal infections are lethal to all indoor palm plants.
(Image: Federica Giusti13)
Know your plant to identify if the following fungi or pests are a nuisance or a deadly menace:
- Fusarium Wilt – no cure and mortal to most palm plants
- Diamon Scale – infected areas can be cut away if caught in time
- Root Rot – caused generally by overwatering and can infect all palm plants
- Leaf Blights – An unsightly infection when noticed but not fatal
- Whiteflies – These are easy to spot when disturbed and can be sprayed off
- Spider Mites – Tiny webs are a clear indication that these mites are present
When the incontrovertible proof is evident that your palm plant either has an infestation or a disease, first confirm the risk that it poses to your particular species, and then act accordingly.
Palm Tree Trimming Cost Calculator and Palm Tree Removal Cost Calculator
Not all types of indoor palm trees are destined to settle in a small pot on a table in a corner of the room. Some of them are planted with care in conservatories or greenhouses where they can grow tall and proud,4 occasionally up to 10 feet in height and many people with larger outdoor trees wonder how much to trim palm trees.
A bigger tree like this may need a tree professional to trim back leaves to prevent any accidental damage or, in the case that the tree needs to be moved, replant it in an outdoor location.
This online palm tree trimming cost calculator can provide a price estimation. Details such as the palm tree type, its height, its location, whether there is easy access, and even how long it has been in situ have to be inputted into the calculator.
Questions about where it will be replanted will need to be answered, or if it is just to be removed from the property.
All of these can impact the estimated online price, but that may well change when the arborist comes around to inspect the job and the details you have inputted into the calculator have been too conservatively estimated.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 37 Types of Indoor Palm Trees To Grow
Read More About Types of Indoor Palm Trees
How Many Types of Palm Trees Are There?
In total there are 2,600 different species of palm trees out there, each and every one displaying an incredible array of shapes, colors, and sizes.
How Often To Water Palm Plant Indoor?
Overwatering a palm tree indoors can cause root rot and other problems. Watering should occur when the first layer of soil is dry to about 2cm deep.
What State Has the Most Palm Trees?
That accolade goes to Hawaii. The island has over 21 different species.
Due to the excellent tropical climate there, a wider variety of palm trees tend to thrive there than anywhere else in the United States. Florida and California are close behind in the number of palm trees, trailed by North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, and Texas in no particular order.
Why Is My Palm Plant Dying? (Why Is My Indoor Palm Tree Dying?)
Unfortunately, various types of indoor palm trees can have health problems from root rot.
This is caused by overwatering when there is not sufficient drainage from the container. Lack of water, too low a temperature, and too dry an environment can interfere with the care or possibly the demise of your palm plant.6
How Much Does It Cost To Trim Palm Trees?
The main factor that determines the cost of trimming palm trees, is the height. The more difficult the fronds are to reach, the higher the price will be.
Is It Possible To Get a Free Palm Tree Removal Service?
Removing a tree can be costly. But removing a palm tree can also be free.
This free service will be solely dependent on whether your particular species is in demand. If it is, companies will uproot it without charge with the knowledge that they will be able to sell it to another customer, and, of course, also charge for installation.
No matter which one of the 37 types of indoor palm trees to grow you select, rest assured that it will bring a tropical flair into your home.
References
1Aggie Horticulture. (2022). HOUSE PLANTS. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/houseplant/houseplant.html>
2Clemson University. (2021, September 10). Palm Diseases & Nutritional Problems. Home & Garden Information Center. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/palm-diseases-nutritional-problems/>
3The Pennsylvania State University. (2022). Caring for Houseplants. Articles. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from <https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants>
4University of Florida. (2021, July 7). Caring for Houseplants. Gardening Solutions. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/houseplant-care.html>
5University of Maryland. (2022). Selection and Care of Indoor Plants. University of Maryland Extension. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/indoor-plants/selection-and-care-indoor-plants>
6University of Wisconsin-Madison. (2010, May 11). Houseplant Care. Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/houseplant-care/>
7What Are the Benefits of Plants Indoors and Why Do We Respond Positively to Them? (2010). Washington State University. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from <https://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/pub/2010LohrBenefitsPltsIndoors.pdf>
8Photo by Teona Swift. Resized and changed format. Pexels. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/exotic-palm-growing-in-black-pot-on-shelf-6913602/>
9Photo by Liam Huyberechts. Resized and changed format. Pexels. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/small-areca-palm-in-a-pot-5538833/>
10Photo by Max Rahubovskiy. Resized and changed format. Pexels. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/potted-plant-near-dressing-table-with-pouf-6265938/>
11Photo by Federica Giusti. Resized and changed format. Unsplash. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://unsplash.com/photos/WarnrADBVDw>
12Photo by Sigrid Abalos. Resized and changed format. Pexels. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/potted-palm-plant-2904979/>
13Photo by Federica Giusti. Resized and changed format. Unsplash. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from <https://unsplash.com/photos/uYl9tJsnBXk>