Bring the Tropics Home With These 3 Palms

by Allan Wulff, MBA. Ph.D. 01/21/2024

Palm trees can be found on almost every continent in the world. While some hardier versions can survive colder weather, most thrive in tropical or subtropical climates. If you want to grow palm trees indoors as houseplants, you'll need to replicate a tropical environment as much as possible for them to thrive. While it might seem intimidating, there are plenty of palms you can grow as houseplants. Here are some of the top suggestions:

Areca Palm

Areca palms are also called bamboo palms because they grow in tight clumps of slender stems. Areca palms are extremely popular as houseplants because they are tolerant of lower light indoor environments. To keep an areca palm happy and healthy, keep the soil moist but not soggy. While these palms can grow up to 8 feet tall, they are slow growers and are often widely available as small, tabletop trees.

Parlor Palm

Parlor palms will flourish in average indoor light. They are even forgiving of different humidity levels, but prefer evenly-moist soil and consistent temperatures. When grown as a houseplant, parlor palms can reach heights of up to 6 feet with a 2-3 foot spread. Though slow growers, parlor palms can live for decades with the right care, making them an excellent addition to your indoor landscape.

Yucca Palm

The spineless yucca palm is a popular indoor plant with long leaves clustered at the top of the stick-like trunk. It's common to find them labeled as "stick yucca" due to their appearance as young trees: often a single mostly bare trunk with a few leaves on top. These palms make beautiful houseplants and are much more drought tolerant than some of the other options. Yuccas want to dry out completely between waterings but will grow in a variety of lighting environments from full sun to partial shade.

These are only a few types of palms you can grow as houseplants. Think carefully about where to place your palm at home so it can live in the best possible indoor environment.

About the Author
Author

Allan Wulff, MBA. Ph.D.

Hello and thank you for visiting! Selling or buying real estate is very serious business! I provide extraordinary results! Prior to real estate I was President/CEO of a number of area technology companies, Vice-Chairman of the INOVA Hospital Association and have been a long time member of the Association for Corporate Growth. With a broker’s training and experience, you get more than just a realtor agent. My negotiating skills and astute problem solving capabilities, honed by executive experience, have proved extremely effective for my clients in achieving their dreams and real estate goals in this current complex and fast paced market. As a long time Northern Virginia resident my experience will benefit you whether you are buying a home or selling a home or are a returning client checking out the many homeowner resources my associates and I offer. Buying a home? I look forward to helping you select the home of your dreams by taking time to listen to your needs and desires. Selling a home? My real estate expertise and many effective marketing programs will give you the exposure and edge you need to sell your home quickly for top dollar. Testimonials. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve you and hope you take advantage of the valuable resources I provide. Come back to visit often! I consider this community an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you my enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods in the area. I pride myself on providing unparalleled service and look forward to developing a long-term relationship with you. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss how I can best assist you with your real estate goals. Sincerely, Allan Wulff