If you love tropical vibe and nature, then you definitely are in love with palm trees. Wherever they grow, these elicit tropical beauty to that place naturally. Their soft feather-like fronds, strong dark trunk, and exotic body structures stand them out of any other species of plants.
The way they lay modest and soothing peace to a beholder’s eyes makes them very popular as a decorative plant. So, you are not at all mistaken if thinking of deploying palms in your house indoors, or in your yard to bring style.
However, before your idea comes to life, one thing worth noting is that palm has around 3,000 species and not all of them are alike. Some are skyscrapers, some don’t get to be too long, some species need extra pampering, while some are low-maintenance palms.
Hence, it’s always best to know which kinds of palms to consider when it comes to incorporating them into your home. Because you know your needs and how much time you can afford daily to look after them.
Low Maintenance Palm Trees
Those who have time, or resources for taking extra care to maintain tropical trees, can set for any species of palms. However, in this article, we will only cover the variations which do not require high maintenance yet are still generous in bringing a stunning view to your home and garden.
1. King Palm
The scientific name of King Palm is Archontophoenix cunninghamiana. Several variants are available of the King’s palm and all these variations are closely related to each other. Among all the available species, the most popular one is Archontophoenix cunninghamiana.
If you ever hear anyone saying anything about the King Palms, most of the time he is referring to this one. Some other renowned variations of Kings are The Myola King, The Walsh River, The Alexandra King, The Peach River, and The Purple Crown Shaft King.
King Palms are not always the first choice when someone wants to plant them indoors. They are not the most suitable houseplants as they grow astonishingly faster. Because of their fast-growing trait, they are the best choice for outside implementation.
And when planting them, ensure the soil is rich and has better water drainage quality. They grow well under the full sun. But humidity can harm them by burning their leaves and forming brown spots.
2. Kentia Palm
The Kentia Palm has fallen under the name of Howea forsteriana. It is familiar as the Thatch Palm, Paradise Palm, and Sentry Palm, and is a perfect option if you are looking for a palm tree to plant indoors.
They can handle different home conditions with incomparable grace. In fact, just so you know, no other palm variety beats the Kentia Palm in suitability for indoor growth. If grown outside the home, they can reach a height of over forty feet, while indoors one can hardly rise over ten-fifteen feet tall.
Kentia’s seedlings are aboriginal to the indoors in California, and that’s why they are acclimated already. So indoor weather will not bother them so much. Kentia seeds take a couple of years to germinate. So purchasing seedlings will be best.
3. Pineapple Palm
This is another variation, renowned for its unique appearance. They are highly popular low-maintenance palm trees and are widely planted all across the world. These palms need full sun to grow at their highest pace.
The pineapple palm’s scientific name is Phoenix canariensis. They are also known as Canary Island Date Palms, and grow best in the zones where the sun shines to its fullest from nine through eleven.
The variety grows very slowly and takes more time to swell at its circumference area. It requires little amount of care as it can endure salt, which is for the very reason the variety is ubiquitous in the beach areas. The only thing that should be taken care of about these palm trees is the soil they are to be planted on. This soil should have a better water drainage system.
4. Date Palm
This is another species from the Phoenix order, which has the name Phoenix dactylifera. Date palms have been around the world for over 50 million years. They have also been a staple food item in multiple countries for more than thousands of years. Apart from their dates, they are widely known for their serene look.
Date palms can be up to 75 feet in height. They grow many surface roots through which they soak up water that they need mainly to sustain fruits. In the question of maintenance, you should make sure the area you have chosen to plant them has a plethora of horizontal and vertical space.
5. Piru Queen Palm
Syagrus romanzoffiana, also known as the Piru Queen Palm, can reach heights of up to 50 feet tall. The palm tree typically blossoms during summer. When planting it, no matter whether a seedling or a seed, the soil should be acidic to keep the tree from dying of mineral deficiencies. Otherwise, the tree can die from lack of minerals or when cultivated in alkaline soil.
Again, if you’re cultivating them in an extremely hot area, ensure to provide additional attention during the parched season, as they do not grow well without enough water. They thrive naturally in moister areas.
6. Adonidia Palms
Adonidia palms are greatly known for their simple and straightforward appearance. These palms have another name: the Christmas Tree Palm, a name that comes from a scarlet fruit that grows in winter and fall.
These fruits give these palms a special Christmas kind of vibe. Adonidia is a self-cleaning tree, which means it can drop its dead and unnecessary fronds all by itself.
These kinds of palms are highly vulnerable to frost and cold. So, it’s better if they are planted in a comparatively hot weathered zone. If bought in a jar or container, they can be kept there until they grow enough large.
7. Alexander Palm
Many can tell that Alexander should not make this list as it is only a variance of King Palm. However, this particular species comes with several esoteric perks that are alien to their other relatives.
Several other outdoor trees of their kind have a tendency to grow quite tall. Even sometimes they grow more than 75 feet and have a large canopy. However, Alexander gets up to about 25 feet tall at the very maximum. As such, if you are looking for a mid-sized tree to plant in your yard, Alexander will be your best shot.
Like most palms, these palms will thrive in warm areas and unlike many, they can be kept in large containers. The trees need to get fertilized once in summer, fall and spring so they can keep their fronds in the greenest and healthiest condition.
8. Foxtail Palm
If you have already beheld a foxtail palm, you must perceive how they have got their name. They have far denser foliage than that of most other similar species of palm trees. They often can bend over and take a shape similar to the tail of a fox.
They grow mostly in hotter areas, and their growth rate is comparatively faster than that of many other palms and they require hardly any attention. Even though they can resist drought, they have the best quality foliage when they get the necessary water daily.
9. Pygmy Date Palm
Pygmy date palms can be a great option if anyone is looking for something that will provide him with a great deal of color and texture all year. Pygmy’s trunks are not so smooth like many variations of palms. Instead, they are rough to touch and harsh in appearance. To mitigate that feature, the tree grows airy, light, and soft fronds.
Pygmy chooses relatively hot weather to thrive and demands only a little attention. They grow very slowly and can be suited to areas where larger trees are not an option.
10. European Fan Palm
The European palms are the only kind that is aboriginal to Europe. They are much more rigid and sustainable than many other kinds of palms. Anyone can plant this European Fan Palm in hard and relatively low-temperature areas.
European fans are also familiar with the Mediterranean Fan for their fan-like fronds. These fronds give them a highly distinctive look and identity. Avoid salt soil while planting them and do not cultivate them near saltwater bodies.
11. Areca Palm
If you are looking for a house palm, they are the easiest alternatives. The Areca palms need bright lights to thrive and they are highly sensitive to mineral setup from fertilizers. They are also known as the Golden Palm, the Yellow Palm, and the Butterfly Palm. It is a highly aesthetically pleasing plant.
They are also cheaper and can be a viable selection for those who don’t want to spend much money on decorative plants. They can be around 5 feet tall and that’s why they are the perfect house plant option.
12. Chinese Fan Palm
These palms have star-shaped leaves that help them stand out from many other palms, as the majority of palms have feathery fronds. Chinese Fans are slow-growing trees, and their height can reach around 15 feet or even more.
The trees do best in bright light, though younger trees can tolerate dark locations. Also, you will have to water them only when the apex of the soil feels dry. While planting them indoors, make sure to use a large pot that can provide room for a large taproot. You can feed this tree once a year with just a slow-release fertilizer.
13. Majestic Palm
These palms have two positive features. One is its shade tolerance capabilities, and the second is its slow-growing ability. Both these features make them perfectly suited as an indoor plant. If the indoor environment is humid and moist, they will thrive in that environment. So, near the bathroom and kitchen is the best place to place this tree.
The variant prefers moist soil, and indirect light during the day. You can just make a great stand of bright or dark green fronds with them to bring life to the empty corner of your house.
14. Parlor Palm
Very few trees, especially palms, are more suitable for planting indoors than a Parlor palm. This type of palm tree grows in average light and heat. They do not require pruning other than just an occasional cleaning of dead branches.
These trees thrive in average moisture and humidity levels. If the environment gets dry, these palms can allure spider mites. They prefer indirect light, like all other ideal indoor plants. They do not need frequent watering but prefer wet soil.
15. Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm is the cutest among all the palms. It’s small too, and that’s great for anyone without much room for the larger varieties. The species has the tiniest sturdy trunk with generously arching leaves, you might even say that the tree is not an actual species of palm.
In addition, the decorative trunk of this tree is not just a piece of beauty; it helps the tree reserve water for later use, making it more drought-tolerant.
These are the top low-maintenance palm trees that require little care and attention and can grow from partial sun to complete sun. According to your needs, you can choose the most suitable one among them.
