Indoor Palms

The Kentia Palm is widely regarded as the finest indoor palm. It tolerates low light, dry air, and infrequent watering with grace. The Areca Palm is another excellent choice, offering feathery fronds that fill a room with tropical character.

For smaller spaces, the Parlour Palm stays compact and thrives in shade. All three are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them practical as well as beautiful.

The Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is the easiest indoor palm to grow. It tolerates low light, low humidity, and occasional missed waterings. It has been grown as a houseplant since the Victorian era for exactly this reason.

The Kentia Palm is equally undemanding, though it grows larger over time. Both are excellent starting points for anyone new to indoor palms.

Place in bright indirect light or moderate shade. Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of compost feels dry. Palms prefer not to sit in waterlogged soil, so ensure the pot has drainage holes. Brown leaf tips are common and usually caused by dry air rather than disease.

Feed every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during spring and summer. Palms are slow growers and rarely need repotting. Avoid cutting the central growing point, as palms cannot regrow it.

No. Most indoor palms, especially the Parlour Palm and Kentia Palm, grow naturally in the understorey of tropical forests and are well adapted to lower light. They thrive in north-facing rooms or a few metres back from brighter windows.

The Areca Palm appreciates slightly brighter conditions but still avoids direct harsh sun. No indoor palm should be placed in strong direct sunlight, as this scorches the fronds.

Yes. Most true palms from the Arecaceae family are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. This includes all the palms in our collection: Parlour Palm, Areca Palm, Kentia Palm, and Chamaedorea species.

Be aware that some plants sold as 'palms' are not true palms and may be toxic (for example, Sago Palm, which is a cycad). All our products are labelled with pet safety information on their individual pages.

Brown leaf tips on indoor palms are almost always caused by low humidity. Central heating, air conditioning, and dry indoor air all contribute. Misting occasionally, grouping plants together, or placing the pot on a pebble tray can help raise the humidity around the plant.

Inconsistent watering and mineral buildup from tap water are other common causes. Try using filtered or rainwater and ensure the compost is kept evenly moist without being waterlogged. Trim brown tips with clean scissors for a neater appearance.