Palm trees are popular plant choices for many homeowners, whether it’s for indoor or outdoor landscaping, because of the sense of elegance and warmth they add to any space they’re in.
With over 2,600 palm tree varieties, there are hundreds of species you can grow to add tropical vibes to your homes. They also bring a lot of health benefits on top of their immense ornamental value.
In this article, we’ll explore the best indoor palm trees to gift, the best people to give them to, and the benefits the recipients will get from them.
What are the benefits of indoor palm trees?
Indoor palm trees are more than just beautiful decorations. They can also help eliminate carbon monoxide and VOCs, humidify the air, reduce stress level, and bring in luck.
Eliminates Carbon Monoxide and Harmful VOCs
Palm trees help reduce carbon monoxide, which can interfere with our oxygen intake and cause headaches and dizziness.
Additionally, palm trees can help eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene, in the air. This air-filtering component of palm trees can help avoid headaches, nausea, and nose and throat irritation.
Humidifies Air
Many indoor palm trees, like the areca palm, have high transpiration rates, so they naturally release moisture into the air.
This can help increase humidity levels in dry indoor environments, which can help avoid respiratory issues like bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma.
Reduces Stress
Several studies have shown that indoor palm trees and other houseplants can help lower stress levels. Taking a few minutes to water the plant or repot them helps many escape the pressure of their day-to-day life, effectively reducing stress levels.
They can also create a calm and serene environment, allowing people to relax while at home.
Brings in Luck
In feng shui, palm trees are believed to bring good luck, wealth, joy, and hope to the house they’re in. They’re also known to promote the smooth flow of energy inside the house and block negative energy from coming in.
Non-Toxic to Pets
Many palm tree varieties are non-toxic to both humans and pets, so they’re safe to grow indoors. Ingestion of some may cause mild stomach upset, but they’re not considered poisonous or toxic.
However, we still highly suggest researching the type of palm tree you’re getting, as some may still be toxic. Each pet also has different sensitivities, so it’s best to be careful.
What are the best indoor palm trees to gift?
Pygmy Date Palm
Botanical Name: Phoenix roebelenii
Origin: Southwestern China, Northern Vietnam, and Northern Laos
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, direct or indirect light
Water: Three times a week or whenever the soil is dry
Feeding: Every month
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Phoenix roebelenii, more commonly known as pygmy date palm, is among the most popular indoor palm trees. It originated in southwestern China, northern Vietnam, and northern Laos and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.
The palm tree can also grow outdoors, but it’s mostly used as an ornamental plant for indoor settings because of its compact size and beautiful appearance.
It can only grow a maximum height of 6 feet indoors, making it a perfect indoor palm tree. It has a slender, solitary trunk that’s covered in brown fibers and topped by feathery, arching fronds.
These palm trees are non-toxic and are known to remove toxic chemicals from the air, like benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
Best for: People who mostly stay at home. The plant needs watering thrice a week and anytime the soil is dry, so it’s best for those that can provide constant care. It also has air-purifying qualities, which can be helpful for those working at home.
Parlor Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Origin: Southern Mexico and Guatemala
Size: 2 to 4 feet when grown indoors
Light: Medium indirect light
Water: Every one to two weeks or whenever the soil is dry
Feeding: Once a month or once every two months
Toxicity: Non-toxic
A parlor palm is a small indoor palm tree that’s native to Mexico and Guatemala. The plant is a popular houseplant not just because of its compact size but also its ability to thrive in low-light conditions.
The plant only needs medium light to survive, so it can be placed even in areas that receive limited sunlight. It also only needs to be watered when the soil is dry, so regular watering isn’t needed.
A parlor palm features slender, bamboo-like stems that hold clusters of arching, dark green, pinnate fronds. It grows in a clumping manner, making it look like a miniature bamboo forest.
Best for: People living in apartments that don’t receive a lot of sunlight
Ruffled Fan Palm
Botanical Name: Licuala grandis
Origin: Vanuatu Island
Size: 5 to 7 feet when grown indoors
Light: Partial or full shade
Water: Whenever the upper part of the soil is dry
Feeding: Once a month
Toxicity: Toxic when ingested
Ruffled fan palm has very distinct ruffled, fan-shaped leaves that make it a great ornamental plant. It’s also a slow-growing plant that can only grow up to 7 feet indoors, making it a perfect indoor palm tree gift.
The plant also requires partial shade to thrive, so growing it indoors won’t be a huge problem. It can tolerate full shade but not for long periods of time, so make sure to take it out sometimes if you intend to place it in a fully shaded area.
The plant can be toxic to both humans and pets when ingested, so take extra care if you have a child or pet that can reach the plant.
Best for: People living in regions that don’t experience harsh winters, as the plant can’t tolerate cold temperatures
Cascade Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea cataractarum
Origin: Central America and Southern Mexico
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Once or twice a week
Feeding: Once a month
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Cascade palm, scientifically known as Chamaedorea cataractum, is a small palm tree that can be a great addition to your backyard or living room.
The plant has slender stems and bright green, glossy, pinnate leaves. It adds a tropical element to your home, making it a great decorative plant.
It requires bright, indirect light, so if you’re gifting it to someone, ask them to place it near the window. It also needs moist soil to grow, so it has to be watered once or twice a week.
Best for: Experienced plant growers, as cascade palm trees can be challenging to grow
Majesty Palm
Botanical Name: Ravenea rivularis
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 6 to 10 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Once or twice a week
Feeding: Every two or three months; no feeding needed during winter
Toxicity: Non-toxic
True to its name, the majesty palm or Ravenea rivularis is a majestic and graceful-looking plant that can make any home look extra luxurious.
The plant has a slender trunk topped by large, feathery pinnate fronds. Its leaflets are long, thin, and arching, with a vibrant shade of green, which can make your home look both tropical and sophisticated.
It also doesn’t require regular feeding and is generally low-maintenance, so it’s perfect for those who don’t have much experience in growing plants. Just avoid placing it in spaces that receive direct sunlight, as it can be damaging to the plant.
Best for: People with huge living room spaces, as the plant can be too big for smaller spaces
Areca Palm
Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens
Origin: Madagascar
Size: Up to 8 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Once every week or every two weeks
Feeding: Once a month during spring and summer
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Native to Madagascar, areca palm or Dypsis lutescens is a popular palm tree choice for landscaping. Growing up to 30 feet outdoors and eight feet indoors, it’s a perfect decorative plant wherever you want it in your home.
Although it thrives in bright, indirect light, areca palm can tolerate low light conditions and partial shade. Just don’t put it in spaces that receive little to no light, as it may struggle to grow.
The plant has a chartreuse-colored trunk and long, arching fronds. The fronds are pinnate, so they’re further decorated by narrow and pointed green leaflets.
Best for: People who have children, as the plant has air purifying qualities. It also helps improve indoor humidity and increase oxygen.
Chinese Fan Palm
Botanical Name: Livistona chinensis
Origin: Southeastern China, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, and southern Japan
Size: 6 to 7 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Once a week or when the upper part of the soil is dry
Feeding: Once a month during spring and summer
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Another indoor palm tree that has fan-shaped leaves is the Chinese fan palm or Livistona chinensis. It has long, pointy leaves that radiate from the central leaf stem and form a fan-like appearance.
With its large, fan-shaped leaves, it’s a popular decorative plant for houses that have tropical themes. It can grow to a mature size of 7 feet, so it’s mostly placed in living areas where there’s plenty of space.
The plant is relatively low maintenance, needing only regular watering and feeding to keep it healthy. It thrives better in areas that receive bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate low-light conditions.
Best for: People who experience harsh winters, as Chinese fan palms can tolerate up to -6°C
Kentia Palm
Botanical Name: Howea forsteriana
Origin: Lord Howe Island
Size: Up to 10 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Only when the upper part of the soil is dry
Feeding: Once or twice a month during spring and summer
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Kentia palm originated from Lord Howe Island, which is near the east coast of Australia. Its ability to thrive in low-light conditions makes it a perfect indoor house plant.
It can tolerate lower light levels compared to other palm trees but still thrive best in bright, indirect light. Also, it should only be watered when the upper part of the soil is dry, so you don’t have to worry about regular watering.
Additionally, the plant has great ornamental value. It has dark green fronds and a fibrous-covered trunk that has an upright growing habit, which makes it look more refined.
The plant can grow to a height of 10 feet indoors, so it can serve as an accent plant for your living room or your office.
Best for: Inexperienced plant growers who recently gained interest in indoor plants. This is because kentia palms are relatively easy to grow, and they can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
