Parlor Palm

This attractive palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is beloved for its compact, clumping growth habit that resembles a bamboo forest. Cultivated as a houseplant for 50 years, it’s perhaps the most popular indoor palm.

Slow growing and generally easy to take care of, the parlor palm can grow 12 feet tall in its natural habitat, but indoors it tends to reach between 2 and 6 feet. It tolerates low light conditions but compensates with slower growth.

Areca Palm

Also known as the butterfly or bamboo palm (Dypsis lutescens), this one provides a lovely focal point in a large room due to its grand size. Often available in garden centers at around 5 feet tall, these palms are a great choice for those looking for an indoor tree-type plant.

The areca palm (pronounced ah-REE-kah) can grow up to 8 feet tall as long as it gets bright, indirect sunlight, but can tolerate medium-light areas. It’s sensitive to overwatering, so let the soil dry out before watering.

Pygmy Date Palm

Unlike its cousins that can reach heights of 75 feet in their natural habitat, this palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a dwarf species native to southern China. This palm-of-many-names is also known as the miniature date palm, dwarf date palm, pygmy date palm, miniature date palm, and robellini palm.

The pygmy date palm generally grows to 3- to 5- feet tall indoors. It features narrow, feathery leaves in glossy green, silvery-green, or dark green. If set outside in the summer, this drought-tolerant palm can handle light frosts but not a hard freeze.

Chinese Fan Palm

This one, also known as the fountain palm (Livistona chinensis), features star-shaped leaves instead of classical feathery ones. It grows best in bright, indirect light and tolerates some shade.

With the potential to grow to 15 feet tall, the Chinese fan palm makes a lovely addition to large spaces. For smaller spaces, look for smaller cultivars such as the dwarf Chinese fan palm and Taiwan fan palm.

Majesty Palm

This large palm (Ravenea rivularis) features upward-arching, feathery fronds, and a slightly swollen trunk base. Unlike most drought-tolerant palms, this one is native to wet areas in Madagascar, so it prefers its prefers soil to stay moist (but not waterlogged).

Relatively fast-growing, a mature majesty palm can reach 15 feet. It thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates some shade.

Cascade Palm

This clumping palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) has a short trunk, shrubby growth habit, and dark green fronds. It can reach up to 6 feet tall but grows shorter when planted in a smaller container. Native to the wet lowlands of Central America, it needs consistently moist—but not soggy—soil and prefers bright, indirect light.

Ponytail Palm

If you want the look of a palm that doesn’t get huge and has the least amount of maintenance, this (Beaucarnea recurvata) is the perfect fit. Its attractive foliage sprouts from a bulbous trunk to resemble a perky ponytail. Despite its palm-like look, it’s technically not a true palm, but a member of the Asparagaceae family.

The ponytail palm’s sturdy trunk helps it reserve water, making it quite drought-tolerant. It thrives in bright, indirect light and doesn’t mind staying pot-bound. Its relatively short stature makes it a great candidate for display on a plant stand.

Sago Palm

This plant (Cycas revoluta), native to southern Japan, is another palm imposter often grouped with palms. It features stiff fronds that grow from an upright, pineapple-looking trunk.

The slow-growing sago palm reaches 3 feet tall. It prefers regular, consistent moisture and bright, indirect sunlight, but can tolerate some shade.

Yucca Palm

This palm (Yucca elephantipes) is the most tree-like among palm houseplants. It features thick cane stems with sword-shaped foliage.

Grown indoors, the yucca can grow to 5 feet tall. It’s very drought tolerant and grows in full sun or part shade.

Kentia Palm

If you’re looking for a plant to set and forget, this palm (Howea forsteriana) is for you. Once established, it requires very little care, making it one of the most low-maintenance and easy-to-grow tropical plants.

The slow-growing Kentia palm tolerates a wide range of conditions: It’s shade tolerant, cold tolerant, and won’t outgrow most spaces. It’s typically sold in pots of three or more plants to give it a bushy appearance.