Indoor Palms
Parlor, areca, kentia and ponytail palms: light, humidity and brown tips.
The best palms for indoors are parlor palm and kentia palm, which tolerate medium light, followed by areca, bamboo and majesty palms for bright rooms. Give them bright, indirect light, water when the top inch or two of soil is dry without letting the root ball dry out completely, keep them away from heating vents, and flush the soil a few times a year to prevent the salt buildup that browns leaf tips.
- True palms (family Arecaceae) or plants sold and grown as palms
- Grow well in a container for years
- Tolerate typical indoor temperatures of 65 to 80°F
Areca palm
Dypsis lutescens (syn. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)- Bright indirect: 2–5 ft from an east or west window, 4–8 ft back from a south window; brief morning sun is fine
- When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Majesty palm
Ravenea rivularis- Bright light: at a south or west window behind a sheer, or right at an east window; 2–4 hours of soft sun helps
- Keep evenly moist: water when the top half-inch dries, about every 3–6 days in summer, 7–10 in winter
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans- Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun
- When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA)
Comparison: which one fits your conditions
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Areca palm | Bright indirect: 2–5 ft from an east or west window, 4–8 ft back from a south window; brief morning sun is fine | When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 in winter; soft water | Moderate | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Majesty palm | Bright light: at a south or west window behind a sheer, or right at an east window; 2–4 hours of soft sun helps | Keep evenly moist: water when the top half-inch dries, about every 3–6 days in summer, 7–10 in winter | Demanding | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
| Parlor palm | Medium to low indirect light: 6–12 ft from a south window or at a north window; no direct midday sun | When the top 1 in is dry: about every 5–7 days in summer, 10–14 days in winter; soft water | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA) |
Palms are the classic tall indoor plant, but most sold in US stores are grown in Florida greenhouses with high light and humidity, and the move into a heated or air-conditioned home is a shock. Picking the right palm for the light you have solves most of the trouble.
The best indoor palms
| Palm | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parlor palm | Medium to bright indirect | Compact, the most forgiving |
| Kentia palm | Medium to bright indirect | Slow, elegant, tolerant; pricey because it grows slowly |
| Areca palm | Bright indirect | Feathery, needs humidity, prone to spider mites |
| Majesty palm | Bright, some direct sun | Often declines indoors without strong light |
| Bamboo palm | Medium | Clumping, tolerates less light than most palms |
| Ponytail palm | Bright, some direct sun | Not a true palm; water like a succulent |
Care basics
- Light. Bright, indirect light near an east or west window suits almost all palms. Parlor and kentia palms tolerate medium light.
- Water. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Palms dislike both soggy soil and a bone-dry root ball.
- Humidity. Winter heating dries the air; a humidifier helps areca and majesty palms most.
- Feeding. Feed lightly in spring and summer with a palm or balanced fertilizer at half strength.
- Pruning. Remove only fronds that are fully brown.
Brown tips
Iowa State University Extension names low humidity as the most common cause of brown leaf tips, followed by inconsistent watering, fertilizer salt buildup and chlorine or fluoride in tap water. UC IPM adds overfertilization and drafts. Palms show all of these on their long leaflets. Flush the pot with plain water until it drains freely every few months and trim the brown ends at an angle that follows the leaflet's shape.
Pests
Spider mites love the dry air around palms, especially areca and majesty palms. Look for fine speckling and webbing under the fronds and rinse the plant in the shower regularly. See spider mites and mealybugs.
Pets
The ASPCA plant list classifies areca, parlor, kentia, majesty and bamboo palms, and ponytail palm, as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Sago palm is toxic. More in pet-safe plants and large houseplants.
Often mislabeled: plants that don't belong here
| Plant | Why it doesn't really fit |
|---|---|
| Sago palm | A cycad, not a palm, and on the ASPCA list as toxic to cats and dogs; keep it away from pets. |
| Ponytail palm | Sold as a palm but actually a succulent relative of agave; it wants dry soil and sun, unlike true palms. |
| Yucca and dracaena | Palm-like shape, different care, and both are toxic to pets per ASPCA. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest palm to grow indoors?
Why are the tips of my palm turning brown?
How much light does an indoor palm need?
Should I cut off yellow palm fronds?
Are indoor palms safe for cats?
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these publications. Links open in a new tab.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List www.aspca.org
- Iowa State University Extension yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- UC Statewide IPM Program ipm.ucanr.edu