Palms

Owner: Holly Dz
Aug 9
3 min read

Corresponding Blog for Podcast Episode #117

Palms are impressive and have an expansive amount of varieties to love! Although not all types are ideal houseplants, I wouldn't overlook them! With some love, they can have a significant impact in your home or even in your annual planters or seasonal landscaping!

Parlor Palm: Podcast Epsiode & Blog

Fishtail Palm : Podcast Epsiode & Blog

Family Name: Arecaceae

Types of Palms:

Kentia Palm AKA Paradise Palm
- Light: Medium light but can tolerate low light
- Water: Medium moisture with medium humidity
- Will usually only get around 3-4' tall indoors
Majesty Palm: Image example (Majesty Palm)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Medium to high moisture
- Very traditional looking palm that can reach somewhere between 5'-10' tall
Phoenix Roebelenii Palm AKA Pygmy Date: Image example (Lively Root)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Medium to high moisture
- Will stay below 6' tall
Areca Palm: Image example (Lively Root)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Medium moisture
Fishtail Palm: Image example (HH)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Medium to high moisture
Parlor Palm: Image example (HH)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Medium to high moisture
Lady Palm: Image example (Lively Root)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Medium to high moisture
- Depending on cultivar, can stay 6" tall or get to 6' tall
Bamboo Palm: Image example (Costa Farms)
- Light: Medium light but can tolerate low light
- Water: Medium moisture
- Can reach around 6' tall
European Fan Palm:
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Low to medium moisture
Sago Palm: Image example (Lively Root)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light
- Water: Medium moisture

Sun Requirements:

Palms vary in their light needs based on the type of palm. Most do best in bright, indirect light or medium light.

If you need any guidance to understanding light, or are in need of a grow light to help increase your light, check out the links!

Water Requirement

Most palms need medium moisture and sometimes high moisture. Keep in mind, this "high" moisture is not sitting in water, just not letting the palm dry out in between watering.

All palms would benefit from extra humidity so I would make this a standard for any palm you have! Different ways to increase humidity are by placing a humidifier near by, misting the leaves with a spray bottle, placing a tray of water and pebbles below the plant (you can use a larger saucer for this), placing you plant in a mini Ikea greenhouse or green house cabinet (there are more sizes and color besides the link I provided). I use a humidifier and I do mist the leaves sometimes.

Fertilizer

Palms may be a little easier houseplant when it comes to fertilizer. You can just use a balanced houseplant fertilizer. You can also use one that is nitrogen focused for foliage growth focus. In the NPK ratio of fertilizer, this would mean the first number is the highest number.

If you need help understanding fertilizer a bit more, check out Podcast Episode 103 or the Fertilizer Explains blog post.

Other Facts

Palms thrive in warmth so make sure to keep these in an environment that is 70-80 degrees. At night, don't let the temperatures go below 60 degrees. Also keep away from from drafty windows and doors.
Many of the palms I listed are not toxic to your pets (Kentia, Majesty, Phoenix Roebelenii, etc) but the Sago Palm is highly toxic! So please check with the ASPCA website before proceeding! If you are interested in learning about more pet friendly plants, check out Podcast Ep#31 for more info or the corresponding blog post!

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Always written with extreme plant passion!

Love, Holly (Owner & Creator of Houseplant Homebody LLC)