22 Types of Palm Trees You Can Grow Indoors to Make Your Home Feel Like a Tropical Oasis

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The areca palm is also known as the butterfly or bamboo palm because its stems grow in clusters similar to those of the bamboo plant. During the summer season, this palm produces pretty small, inconspicuous flowers below the fronds. Jane Dobbs, an expert gardener and gardening team lead at Allan’s Gardeners says that the areca palm features feathery fronds and thrives in bright, indirect light with consistent watering.

While most palms prefer warm temperatures, this particular one likes it hot and is best kept in an area where temperatures remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6-7 feet tall

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Ponytail palms are one of the most unique types of palm trees to grow. They have a thick bulbous trunk that stores water, and the slender flowing leaves cascade downward in the shape of a ponytail—hence the name. Steve Corcoran, garden expert and CEO of Lawn Love, says that ponytail palms have been household staples for centuries and are often regarded as one of the first houseplants.

“They’re great because they don’t require much care,” he says. “They grow slowly and are drought-resistant, so you don’t have to water them often and they’ll be happy.”

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 4-7 feet tall

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Sago palms are one of the prettiest indoor palm trees that will add a tropical vibe to any room in your home. However, sago palms aren’t actually palm trees and are more closely related to pines and conifer trees—but their stout trunk and feathery leaves give them a palm tree appearance.

Corcoran says that these trees need bright, indirect light and can burn in direct afternoon light, so keep that in mind when placing the plant. But you should probably avoid this plant altogether if you have pets and small children because it is toxic. “Keep in mind that while they grow well indoors, they are also highly toxic to cats,” Corcoran says. “If you have cats, I would avoid having this type of plant in your home.”

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 3-6 feet tall

Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis spp)

If you’re looking for a beautiful, bushy palm tree to grow indoors, this one’s for you. Corcoran says broadleaf lady palms thrive in shady conditions, which make them ideal houseplants. “These plants are generally pretty easy to care for and like when their soil stays relatively moist most of the time,” he says. “They don’t like direct light but thrive with indirect light.”

“They can grow to be as tall as 14 feet, but with pruning/trimming, you can keep them at the size you want,” Corcoran adds.

Sun Exposure: Indirect light and partial shade

Average Indoor Size: 3-15 feet tall

Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

If you prefer balmy temperatures, the kentia palm may be a top choice of indoor palm tree for you. While it can withstand cooler temperatures, it prefers warm climates with moderate humidity. The tree features long, lush, arching fronds that are deep green in color. Dobbs says that the kentia palm is highly adaptable to indoor conditions and prefers moderate to bright, indirect light.

This palm can reach heights of 40 feet outdoors, but similar to the Lady palm it can be kept smaller with proper pruning. Kentia palms are also considered low-maintenance which is great for those with busy schedules or beginner gardeners.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 5-12 feet tall

Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)

You can add California vibes to your decor by growing a pindo palm in a pot in your home. Pindo palms are slow-growing trees that can reach up to 20 feet tall, but they can be kept shorter by growing them indoors.

Corcoran says they’re like sago palms and need bright, indirect light, but they can burn in direct afternoon light. Placing them near east-facing windows is often best. You also need to make sure their soil is well-draining.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6 feet tall

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The parlor palm is one of the most popular types of palm trees to grow indoors. Dobbs says that it’s a low-maintenance palm that tolerates low light and occasional neglect, making it ideal for homes and offices. It requires well-draining soil, and you should avoid overwatering it.

This playful palm has vibrant bright green leaves that form a feathery pattern and grow in a clumping formation. Although it can reach heights of 16 feet tall outdoors, it caps out at around 6 feet tall when grown indoors.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 2-6 feet tall

Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

This striking palm certainly lives up to its name with its long, lush fronds and vibrant green color. It can reach up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat, but it can be kept around 10 feet tall by growing it in a container.

Dobbs says this African native palm requires high humidity and frequent watering. However, you need to ensure it’s in well-drained soil to prevent root rot.

Sun Exposure: Indirect light

Average Indoor Height: 5–10 feet tall

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

This palm gets its name because it resembles the bamboo plant. Its stems are green and ringed, and the leaves can be two feet long. Since this palm is native to Mexico and Central America, it prefers high humidity and temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant grows well in low to medium light and benefits from consistent moisture.

Sun Exposure: Indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 3-8 feet tall

Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

This compact palm packs a lot of character with its elegant, arching fronds. The pygmy date palm can have a single trunk or grow multiple trunks that form a cluster. It’s a slow-growing palm that is also drought-tolerant, but it does prefer moderate watering.

Although they thrive in high humidity, they can adapt to lower amounts when grown indoors. However, you can utilize a humidifier to increase the humidity levels in your home.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6-10 feet tall

Lipstick Palm (Cyrtostachys renda)

Are you looking for a plant to jazz up your living space? The lipstick palm’s dazzling red crownshaft will add a bright pop of color to any room. The deep green pinnate leaves can grow up to 5 feet long. If the conditions are right, this palm can also produce flowers and even small black fruits.

Dobbs says that this palm requires high humidity, bright indirect light, and frequent watering. It does not do well in dry climates, so you will need to increase the humidity levels in the area where you’re growing it.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size:  8-15 feet tall

Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis)

Dobbs says this palm is named for its unique, fishtail-shaped fronds. Fishtail palms flourish in well-drained loamy sandy soil. The ideal temperature range is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and they thrive in high humidity. You also need to avoid placing it anywhere that is drafty in your home to prevent temperature drops and moisture loss.

The fishtail palm produces berries, but they are toxic to humans and pets. So, you should skip this one if you have small children and pets and pick from the other types of palm trees that are not toxic to put in your home.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6-10 feet tall

Dwarf Areca Palm (Areca catechu dwarf)

Dobbs says the dwarf areca palm is one of the best indoor palm trees to grow for those living in small indoor spaces. Since this palm is just a compact version of the areca palm, it requires similar care and climate conditions.

The temperature should be kept between 65 and 75 degrees and it also requires high levels of humidity. You should keep the soil moist, but make sure not to overwater it.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 4-6 feet tall

Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis)

If you’re searching for one of the most unique types of palm trees to grow indoors, then the bottle palm is for you. Dobbs states that it has a bulbous, bottle-shaped trunk, and it’s a slow grower. Since this palm tree has a slow growth habit, it can thrive in a container for years. Just keep an eye out for signs of it getting rootbound so you know when to transplant it to a larger pot.

The dark green fronds grow out of the top and the distinctive trunk is a gray to off-white color. It prefers bright light with occasional deep watering.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6-10 feet tall

Metallica Palm (Chamaedorea Metallica)

This striking palm is native to Mexico and features metallic-looking, bluish-green fronds. Dobbs says it’s an excellent choice for low-light environments and requires minimal maintenance. This palm blooms orange, red, or purple flowers and produces small black inedible fruit. It’s also a slow grower, which makes it easy to grow indoors in a pot.

This palm prefers warm temperatures but is able to tolerate cooler temperatures more than other types of palm trees.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light but tolerates shade

Average Indoor Size: 3-5 feet tall

Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)

This palm will give your home a tropical vibe with its large, fan-like leaves and slender trunk. Dobbs says the Chinese fan palm tolerates low humidity and moderate light but needs occasional pruning. If conditions are ideal, this palm can bloom creamy white flowers, but it’s rare when grown indoors. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and enjoys a good misting.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 8 feet tall

Triangle Palm (Dypsis decaryi)

This palm has a distinctive triangular outline formed by the leaves’ growth pattern. The arching fronds feature a stunning silvery-green to blue-green color which will add a touch of elegance to your home decor. This palm is native to Madagascar and is a moderate to fast growing tree.

Dobbs says it requires bright light and occasional deep watering. This palm produces beautiful flowers when grown outdoors, but can be difficult to trigger blooming indoors.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 8-10 feet tall

Cascade Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum)

Dobbs says this small, bushy palm thrives in humid conditions and low light, making it perfect for indoor spaces with minimal sunlight. Its fan-shaped leaves are rich green in color and grow in clusters.

This low-maintenance palm can tolerate a range of conditions, making it a great houseplant for beginners. However, it’s prone to root rot, so you need to avoid overwatering it.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 4-6 feet tall

Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)

If you want to grow something on a small scale, the dwarf palmetto may be the palm you’re searching for. It’s a hardy palm with fan-like leaves, and the trunk typically stays underground. Dobbs says it grows well in moderate to bright light and requires occasional watering.

You will want to ensure the pot size is big enough for the plant and it has good drainage. As it grows, you will need to repot it to ensure it doesn’t get rootbound.

Sun Exposure: Direct light and partial shade

Average Indoor Size: 4-6 feet tall

Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata)

You can bring a piece of the sunshine state into your home by growing a Florida thatch palm indoors. This palm is native to the Florida Keys and has a slender trunk with lush, dark green leaves. Dobbs informs that it is a slow-growing, drought-tolerant palm that adapts well to indoor conditions. It requires moderate light and minimal watering, which makes it relatively easy to care for.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 12-15 feet tall

Spindle Palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii)

The spindle palm also has a unique shaped trunk that swells in the middle and tapers off, making it look like a spindle. The top of the tree has a crown of long, feathery fronds that are dark green in color.

It produces small, non-edible orange fruit that turns red or black when mature. Dobbs says that this palm prefers bright light and well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light

Average Indoor Size: 6 feet tall

European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)

The European fan palm can grow as a shrub with multiple trunks or as a tree with a single trunk.The palm’s trunk is rough and fibrous, and the fan-shaped fronds are silver-green to blue-green in color. Dobbs states that it is a cold-hardy variety with a bushy growth habit. It prefers bright light but adapts well to indoor conditions.

This is another palm that produces inedible fruit and bright yellow flowers, but you need to provide optimal growing conditions to stimulate blooms.

Sun Exposure: Direct light and partial shade

Average Indoor Size: 6-15 feet tall