Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

Native to the South Pacific Area, Kentia palms present that big, classic palm tree look. This large slow-grower does well in a pot or container. It tolerates low light, which makes it a favorite among houseplant lovers.

While Kentia palms can be moved outside in the summer, avoid placing your tree in direct sunlight. A nice shaded patio or balcony spot is perfect.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Although it is called the sago palm, this tree is actually in the cycads family, making it a conifer. Slow-growing and small in size, sago palms are generally 3-10 feet tall, sometimes smaller when grown indoors. Its leaves are glossy and have a leather-like feel.

If you have pets, this is not the indoor palm for you. Consuming any part of the sago palm can make cats and dogs very ill.1

Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)

Also known as fountain palm, Chinese fan palm trees are native to Taiwan, Southern Japan, and China. This is a great tree if you have the indoor space to spare—the large fans on the plant, called fronds, can reach 2-3 feet wide while growing indoors.

Chinese fan palm trees thrive when you let them dry out between waterings. Once you purchase and place this tree in your home, it can live for more than 30 years.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Bamboo palms are popular home and office plants. Not only do their tall leaves fan out beautifully but they also thrive without much care or attention. (Do not confuse these palms with bamboo plants, which require full sun.)

The most important care tip to remember for bamboo palms is, when watering, to ensure an even spread of water and sufficient drainage. Overwatering can thwart the palm’s growth.

Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

The majesty palm may best suit more experienced indoor gardeners because it requires more maintenance than other palms on our list. This tropical tree likes a lot of moisture and humidity, so a kitchen or a bathroom might be its perfect home. But make sure not to overwater the majesty palm—once or twice a week should be enough.

The tree also requires patience. While it lengthens fast when grown outdoors, indoor majesty palms take several years to mature.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Another home favorite, the parlor palm has beautiful, deep green foliage that can reach a few feet high while growing indoors.
These popular indoor palms are native to the rainforests of Guatemala and Southern Mexico. Many gardeners think of them as tabletop palms, which makes them especially great for small living spaces. Keep the soil of indoor parlor palms slightly dry. Avoid expose to cold or drafty conditions.

Yucca Palm (Yucca elephantipes)

The yucca palm is another plant that can thrive both outdoors and indoors under the right conditions. Yucca palms are native to arid areas, so they can tolerate dry conditions. No need to fret if you forget to water from time to time.

When shopping for an indoor yucca, check the species of your choice plant with a gardening expert. That way, you’ll be able to look up how quickly it will grow and what specific level of care is needed.

Ruffled Fan Palm (Licuala grandis)

Native to islands off the coast of Australia, the ruffled fan palm tree is a real show stopper. It has a single, slender trunk that supports giant, fan-like fronds, which do indeed appear ruffled. In its native environment, the ruffled palm reaches 8 feet or more. Indoors, however, it will likely reach just a few feet tall.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Native to eastern Mexico, the ponytail palm naturally goes several months without water, so keep this in mind when establishing a houseplant watering routine. With a bold trunk and fun, wild ponytail top of leaves, the ponytail palm is incredibly popular for its quirky look. It makes a great housewarming gift, too.

Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Most date palms can reach massive heights in the wild—sometimes more than 75 feet tall. This dwarf variety native to China, on the other hand, will grow to about 4-6 feet total in a container. In the right conditions, pygmy date palms will flower and fruit, producing small dates. These plants benefit from a palm-specific fertilizer about twice a year.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Native to Madagascar, the Arera palm loves bright lights and will benefit from some outdoors time during the warm months. Like other palms, they can be sensitive to overwatering, so practice the system of deeply but infrequently. This palm thrives in a smaller pot and will benefit from being repotted every couple of years.

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Native to southeastern Asian, the lady palm has dark green fronds all over the plant that look like fans or hands. (Some even call it by the nickname of finger palm.) This palm is unique because it can have both green and variegated leaves. It can tolerate less light overall, so no worries if you don’t have a bright area.

Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii)

Native to the Philippines, the Christmas palm is named for its fruit: bright red berries that give the plant a holiday-ready appearance. Christmas palms can reach more than 25 feet high when growing outside. Inside as a houseplant, it might reach heights of 4-6 feet.

The Christmas palm is a popular plant to grow outdoors in warm climates, and then it will be moved indoors in colder months. Be sure to pick a large pot for this one to give it plenty of room to grow.