Palm plants’ slender stems and attractive fronds make them welcome additions to both indoor spaces and outdoor gardens. Adding one to your home is an easy way to brighten the space and make it feel a bit like a tropical oasis. And since there are more than 2,500 species of these tropical plants to choose from, you can likely find a palm for every location.
Most of these plants are relatively easy to care for if you know about proper palm care. Providing the proper type of light, soil, and water are all crucial to helping these plants thrive. We’ll cover how to keep these plants happy and introduce you to a few varieties you can grow at home.
Palm Plant Basics
When you think of palms, you may imagine tropical beaches, coconuts, and large green fronds. But what about dry deserts, sweet dates, and short trunks? Since the palm family is so diverse, you can find palms with all sorts of characteristics.
While each palm has unique attributes, all of these plants have evergreen leaves known as fronds. These fronds remain on the plants year-round, although they may turn brown and drop as they age. However, they vary in shape. Some palms have delicate almost feathery fronds while others grow large, stiff fronds.
All types of palms are also native to tropical and subtropical regions, although the exact native range varies by species. You can find palm trees growing in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and the southern United States. Since they prefer warm weather, they’re best suited for warm climates. However, some types of palms grow well indoors and make excellent houseplants regardless of where you live.
How to Care for a Palm Plant Indoors
If you want to grow a lush palm indoors, providing the proper environment and care is key. Following these palm plant care tips will help create a happy and healthy plant.
Select the Proper Container
If you want to grow a palm indoors, choosing a proper container is one of your first steps. You’ll need a pot that’s large enough to fit the plant’s root ball. However, you avoid choosing a container that’s too large since this can lead to waterlogged soil and problems with root rot. No matter what size container you choose, make sure the bottom contains drainage holes that allow excess water to escape.
Choose a Well-Draining Soil Mix
Most palms are native to tropical regions where they grow in moist areas with well-draining soil. When looking for a soil mix for your plants, aim to balance drainage with moisture retention. The mix should allow excess water to drain but also hold some moisture in between waterings.
You can find potting mixes designed specifically for palms. These often contain extra perlite or pine bark to help water drain quicker. You can also use a standard potting mix designed for houseplants—just check the soil to ensure it’s drying out within a week.
Provide the Proper Light
The ideal type of light varies depending on the species. However, many palm plants prefer bright, indirect light. That means they’ll be happy sitting in the middle of a bright room or a few feet away from a south-facing window covered with a sheer curtain.
In most cases, you should avoid exposing the plants to direct light since this can damage the leaves. Full shade is also not ideal since plants won’t receive the light they need to grow and remain healthy.
Keep the Air Warm
Since palms are native to tropical and subtropical locations, it’s not surprising they dislike cold temperatures. Although the ideal temperature range depends on the species, most palm plants dislike when the air temperature drops below 60°F. Keeping the air between 65-85°F will keep your plants happy.
Along with keeping an eye on the overall air temperature, be mindful of both hot and cold drafts. Air conditioning vents, exterior doors, and fireplaces can all cause sudden changes in temperature and stress your plants. Therefore, keep your palms away from any drafty areas.
Water When Dry
Proper watering is a crucial part of palm plant care. Underwatering and overwatering can both lead to serious issues, so it’s important to water your plants just the right amount. A general rule is to water your plants when the top two to three inches of potting soil is dry.
It’s hard to say how often you should water, since factors like temperature, light, humidity, and soil type all impact how quickly the soil dries. You’ll often need to water more during the summer than you will in the winter. With all that said, plan to water your palm plants once every one to three weeks.
When you water, thoroughly soak the soil until the bottom of the planter is wet. Make sure to empty any excess water that collects in a drainage dish. Regularly check the top of the soil with your finger and water when the top two to three inches are dry.
Palm Plant Varieties
You can find thousands of different species of palm trees, but some are better suited for life as houseplants. The following type of palms grow great indoors.
Parlor Palm
One of the most popular houseplants in the world, the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is easy to grow indoors. The plants feature clumps of slender green fronds that add a tropical touch to even low light areas. Although they can grow up to six feet tall indoors, they often remain shorter.
Areca Palm
The areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) produces slender, smooth trunks topped with fronds made of slender leaves. Their resemblance to bamboo plants explains why people sometimes refer to them as bamboo palms. The plants grow about half a foot per year and can reach up to seven feet tall indoors.
Ponytail Palm
Despite its common name, this “palm” is actually a member of the asparagus family. It doesn’t sport slender stems and fronds but rather grows a thick trunk topped with a messy arrangement of long, thin green leaves. The leaves grow upward then cascade down, giving them the appearance of a ponytail. These plants prefer full sun and can handle direct light.
Majesty Palm
The majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) can tolerate low light, making it a great palm for darker areas of your home. It prefers moderate to high humidity, so a bathroom is often an ideal location. Although the plants grow slowly, they may eventually outgrow indoor areas.
Cascade Palm
Regardless of how big the cascade palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) grows, it will always display clusters of individual fronds rather than larger stems or trunks. It prefers its soil to be kept moist, so plan to water this plant more than other palms.
Order Plants and Flowers Online
Now that you know all about palm plant care, you’re ready to add one of these tropical plants to your home. We offer a variety of plants for delivery, so even if you’re not interested in palms, you can probably find something you like. After you select your new plant, we’re here for you with care guides and tips. You can learn all about caring for air plants and check out our fishbone cactus care guide.
If you still aren’t confident in your green thumb, simplify your life by ordering farm fresh flowers. We carry beautiful arrangements perfect for celebrations and average days.
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