Indoor palms are not without reason very popular, because they are extremely decorative, usually very easy to care for and conjure up a touch of holiday mood in your living room. However, identifying an indoor palm is not always easy given the great variety.
There are many different indoor palm species
There are not only very different types of indoor palms, such as fan or feather palms, but also the so-called palm-like plants. These include, for example, the very popular yucca palm.
How to distinguish fan palms and feather palms
The most important distinguishing feature in palm trees is the leaf base or leaf blade, which completely encloses the trunk in most indoor palms. In this way he gives support to the corresponding sheet. When the leaf dies, the leaf blade leaves a scar that gives the trunk its characteristic appearance.
In the case of the fan palm, the leaf blade merges into the petiole and is usually divided into several segments. However, some fan palms have rounded leaves. The feather palm, on the other hand, has leaf stalks that continue as a midrib, from which the individual leaflets branch off. Both types are divided into different subcategories.
The ideal indoor palm for beginners
The cobbler palm is one of the most robust indoor palms. It even forgives repeated care mistakes such as drafts, dust or a lack of humidity. It prefers a semi-shady location and is grateful for good care. During the growth phase, 14-day fertilization and moderate watering is recommended. In winter, the temperature should not drop below 12 °C.
Palm-like plants
The best-known palm-like plant is probably the popular yucca palm. But the dragon tree and the elephant tree also belong to this group. The only thing they have in common is that they visually resemble palm trees. Botanically, however, they belong to different plant genera. The yucca palm or palm lily belongs to the agave family. The dragon trees even form their own genus in the asparagus family.
Popular and well-known indoor palms and palm-like plants:
- honey palm
- yucca palm
- mountain palm
- banana tree
- elephant tree
- date palm
- coconut tree
- hemp palm
- cobbler palm
tips
The smaller forms or very slow-growing indoor palms are particularly suitable as indoor plants. If your living room is not exactly flooded with light, then choose a palm tree that requires little light.