Five true palms do most of the work as houseplants: parlor palm, bamboo palm, kentia, areca and lady palm. Two more plants are sold as “palms” but are not palms at all. Ponytail palm is a succulent relative of agave and asparagus, and sago palm is a cycad, a cone-bearing plant that is highly poisonous to pets.

The true palms share one care routine. The differences that matter when you buy are light, final height and how fast each one fills a corner.

7 indoor palm types at a glance

Descriptions are from NC State Extension species profiles and the Clemson HGIC indoor palms factsheet.

PlantLeafSize indoorsLightNotes
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)Light green, arching, feather-shaped; 11–20 narrow leafletsStems up to 1.5 m (5 ft), usually smallerBright indirect; tolerates low lightSingle stem; growers pot several together
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)Feather-shaped, 5–15 narrow leaflets per sideUp to 2.1 m (7 ft)Medium; survives low lightClumps of cane-like stems with bamboo-like nodes
Kentia (Howea forsteriana)Dark green, drooping, feather-shapedSlow; many years in a tubTolerates low light; best in bright lightSingle stem; one of the most adaptable indoor palms
Areca (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, syn. Dypsis lutescens)Light green, arching, yellow midribs1.8–2.1 m (6–7 ft)Bright indirectGrows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) a year; prone to spider mites
Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)Fan-shaped, 3–10 blunt, toothed segmentsCan exceed 2.4 m (8 ft)Bright indirect; withstands deep shadeClumping stems covered in brown fibre
Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)Narrow, strappy, about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, curling at the ends1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) in a potSunny windowNot a palm. Swollen water-storing stem base
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)Stiff, glossy, feather-like; spine-tipped leafletsVery slow; indoor plants stay smallerBright, filtered lightNot a palm. Highly toxic to pets and people

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Parlor palm is a small understory palm from southern Mexico and northern Central America. NC State calls it one of the most sought-after indoor palms because it copes with dry air and dim light that other plants cannot tolerate.

Each plant has a single stem. A pot that looks bushy usually holds three or more seedlings, and NC State notes some stems are out-competed and die over time. A thinning pot is often this crowding, not a care failure.

  • Light: bright, indirect light; a north- or east-facing window works well.
  • Water: let the mix dry slightly between waterings. It tolerates short dry spells but grows more lushly in moist soil.
  • Repotting: only when needed, generally every other year.
  • Drafts: keep it away from cold drafts near doors, windows and vents.

NC State lists ‘Variegata’, with white-variegated leaves, as rarely seen.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Bamboo palm forms clusters of slender, cane-like stems with prominent nodes. New stems come from the base, but NC State notes the clump expands slowly. The outer stems lean outward, so the whole plant can take on an inverted-cone shape.

It prefers medium light, a slightly moist, well-drained mix and medium humidity, and survives low light. Expect it to reach about 2.1 m (7 ft).

The common name is used loosely. NC State lists “bamboo palm” for areca and lady palm too, and Clemson HGIC uses it for Chamaedorea erumpens, which NC State treats as a former name of C. seifrizii. Check the botanical name on the label.

Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)

Kentia comes from Lord Howe Island, off Australia. It was the classic Victorian parlour palm, and NC State notes it tolerates low light, dust, central heating, drought and general neglect.

Clemson HGIC calls it one of the most tolerant and adaptable indoor palms. It tolerates relatively low light and humidity but grows best in bright light.

  • Water: water abundantly in summer; in winter, water only when the mix is dry (Clemson HGIC).
  • Mix: well-drained and humus-rich, not allowed to dry out completely (NC State).
  • Feeding: infrequently; NC State suggests slow-release fertilizer.

Kentias are sometimes sold several to a pot, but NC State notes this is not a suckering palm. It grows faster planted on its own.

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Areca, also called butterfly palm, is a clumping palm from Madagascar. NC State now lists it as Chrysalidocarpus lutescens; most labels still say Dypsis lutescens.

It is the fastest grower here. Clemson HGIC gives 15–25 cm (6–10 in) a year, 1.8–2.1 m (6–7 ft) indoors, and warns it often outgrows its space.

  • Light: bright, indirect light near an east-, west- or south-facing window.
  • Temperature: 18–21 °C (65–70 °F) at night and 24–29 °C (75–85 °F) by day (Clemson HGIC).
  • Humidity: high; NC State suggests a humidifier if needed.
  • Pests: Clemson HGIC calls it very susceptible to spider mites. See our guide to parlor palm spider mites for the checks, which apply to areca too.

NC State notes the terminal bud (heart of palm) contains cyanide compounds. Do not eat it.

Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Lady palm is a clumping fan palm from southern China and Vietnam. Its thick, shiny leaves split into blunt-tipped segments, and its stems are covered in dark brown fibre that looks woven.

NC State says it withstands deep shade and periodic winter drafts, which makes it a good choice near a door. Clemson HGIC says it still grows best in bright, indirect light.

  • Mix: a rich houseplant mix; Clemson HGIC suggests an African violet mix.
  • Salts: drench heavily twice a year to leach fertilizer salts.
  • Pests: scale insects are the main pest.
  • Cultivars: it is the only palm in the Clemson factsheet with green and variegated cultivars. ‘Zuikonishiki’ produces many offshoots. ‘Chiyodazuru’ has narrow stripes that fade in strong sun and heat.

Divide clumps in spring or early summer.

Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): not a palm

NC State places ponytail palm in the asparagus family. It stores water in a swollen stem base (caudex) and carries a fountain of narrow leaves.

Care is closer to a cactus than a palm. Give it a sunny window and a cactus and succulent mix. In summer, water deeply and let it dry out between waterings, then greatly reduce water in winter. NC State gives it as hardy to 10 °C (50 °F).

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta): not a palm, and highly toxic

Sago palm is a cycad. It produces cones, not flowers. NC State rates its poison severity as high: every part contains cycasin, and the seeds hold the most.

It prefers bright, indirect light; NC State recommends 4–6 hours of filtered sun a day indoors. It does not tolerate overwatering or poor drainage. If you have pets or small children, choose one of the true palms above instead. Our sago palm identification guide shows how to recognize it.

Care that applies to the true palms

From the Clemson HGIC indoor palms factsheet:

  • Light: most palms need bright natural light all year. Filtered light near a south-, east- or west-facing window suits most.
  • Water: water thoroughly when the surface dries. Do not let the pot dry out or stand in water, and empty the saucer after it drains.
  • Mix: porous, with plenty of organic matter, so it holds moisture and still drains.
  • Feeding: a slow-release palm fertilizer with micronutrients, two to three times a year in spring and summer. Excess fertilizer browns the tips of lower leaves.
  • Repotting: palms like confined roots. Repot every two to three years, only if roots fill the pot, and handle the fragile roots gently.
  • Temperature: about 16 °C (60 °F) at night and 21–27 °C (70–80 °F) by day. Keep them above 7 °C (45 °F) to prevent chilling damage.

Root rot follows a slow-draining mix or frequent watering. See houseplant root rot if fronds yellow in wet soil. For mites, use our spider mite guide. For other tall options, see large indoor plants.

Pets

The ASPCA lists parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans, also listed as bamboo palm and reed palm), areca palm, kentia palm, lady palm and ponytail palm as non-toxic to dogs and cats. NC State notes the fruit of parlor and bamboo palms can irritate the skin of sensitive people, though indoor plants rarely fruit.

Sago palm is the exception. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with signs including vomiting, bruising, liver damage, liver failure and death. Treat any chewing as an emergency and call your veterinarian. Names mislead here too: the ASPCA lists palm lily (Cordyline australis) as toxic. For more choices, see our pet-safe plants guide.

References