Palm

Quick: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we say “tropical vacation”? Whatever image you picture—the beach, a fancy resort, even a jungle safari—there’s a 99% chance it included at least one palm tree. That’s because no other plant in the world is as connected with the concept of rest, relaxation, and luxury as the palm.

Why? Some folks might say palms just have a knack for choosing the most jaw-dropping, postcard-worthy locations to lay their roots. But we know it’s also the other way around: That palms are actually a big part of what makes those locations so appealing. With their graceful, oversized fronds and lush foliage, palms have the power to make any place feel exotic, luxurious, and a little wild.

Any place. As in, not just the beach or the resort, but also your office, your living room … even the bathroom. You want to make a room feel more alive—and also look fabulous? Put a palm in it. It works every time.

Palms - beautiful tropical plants for indoors and outdoors

With more than 2600 known species, it’s no surprise that palms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Some are 100-ft trees that sometimes drop coconuts. Others are smaller plants that fit right on your kitchen table.

Regardless of size, palms nearly always share a few specific characteristics. First, their stems tend to be graceful and unbranched (though they may have several stems growing from a single base). Second, they tend to have awe-inspiring foliage. It may be long, arching fronds covered in paired leaflets, it may be broad, fan-shaped fronds, it may be massive paddle-shaped leaves—but whatever it is, it’ll be lush and exotic enough to stop onlookers in their tracks.

It's like having your own tropical plant nursery…

Palm plants are almost always native to the tropics and sub-tropics, so they’re almost always highly tolerant of heat. Moisture is another story—palms are quite diverse, and a palm native to the Amazon rainforest will have different watering and misting tastes than a palm native to the Arabian desert. The same goes for light, because palms used to being the tallest plant around like more sun than those evolved to be “understory” plants. Ultimately, you’ll have the best success if you follow the individual care instructions for each individual species of palm. This diversity can make your initial homework a bit more complicated, but it also means there’s a palm ideally suited for virtually any spot in your home.  < Show Less