Palm Houseplant Identification by Images, key, and Tool

Here, you will find images and names (common and scientific names) of 13 indoor palm trees belonging to the family Arecaceae with a brief overview of their appearance. This botanical family is commonly known as the palm family, and some are popular indoor palms. So, if you are into palm houseplant identification and are searching for a gallery or key, here is the right what you want.

Previously, I told you about the best houseplant identification methods. Here, I will use some of them to identify indoor plant trees. I  will provide you with a key that can make palm houseplant identification easier for you.

Here, I only mention the real palm trees that belong to the family Arecaceae. However, there are palm-like houseplants such as Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) and Yucca (Yucca aloifolia) that don’t belong to Arecaceae. You can find them in my previous articles on this issue. Don’t waste the time, let’s get going.

Part A: Palm Houseplant Identification with Images

Here, you can find the names and images of 13 indoor palm trees with a brief overview of their appearance. It will help you with palm houseplant identification. If you are interested in knowing about caring for palm houseplants, as I discussed in my previous post, you can read it.

Parlor Palm

Scientific name: Chamaedorea elegans

Other common names: Neanthe Bella Palm, Good Luck Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Parlour Palms are common houseplants that are considered small indoor palm trees with delicate, feather-like leaves. Typically grows to around 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters). They have arching fronds that are typically dark green. They are often compact and are suitable for indoor spaces.

Chinese Fan Palm

Scientific name: Livistona chinensis

Other common names: Fountain Palm, Chinese Fountain Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Chinese Fan Palms have large, fan-shaped leaves with distinct segments. It can reach 25-50 feet (7.6-15 meters) when grown outdoors. Indoors, they are usually smaller. They are typically bright green and can grow to be quite tall. They are often used as ornamental landscape plants.

Areca Palm

Scientific name: Dypsis lutescens

Other common names: Butterfly Palm, Yellow Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Areca Palms are known for their feathery, pinnate leaves that are narrow and arching. It can reach 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) indoors and taller when grown outdoors. They have a graceful appearance and can grow to a significant height. Their leaves are light to medium green.

Cat Palm

Scientific name: Chamaedorea cataractarum

Other common names: Cascade Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Cat Palms have feathery, pinnate leaves with multiple narrow leaflets. Typically grows to about 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters). They are often grown indoors and have an elegant, compact growth habit. Their leaves are typically dark green.

Ponytail Palm

Scientific name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Other common names: Elephant’s Foot Tree

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Ponytail Palms are unique in appearance. They can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) or more, but they are often kept smaller in indoor pots. They have a bulbous trunk at the base and long, slender, arching leaves that resemble a ponytail. The leaves are typically thin and may be somewhat curly.

Majestic Palm

Scientific name: Ravenea rivularis

Other common names: Majesty Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Majestic Palms are tall and slender with feathery, pinnate leaves. It can reach heights of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) or more. The leaves are typically glossy and dark green. They have a majestic, graceful appearance.

Bamboo Palm

Scientific name: Chamaedorea seifrizii

Other common names: Reed Palm, Cluster Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Bamboo Palms have feathery, pinnate leaves that are compact and dense. Usually grows to about 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) indoors. They are often grown indoors and have a bamboo-like appearance. The leaves are typically light to medium green.

Kentia Palm

Scientific name: Howea forsteriana

Other common names: Sentry Palm, Thatch Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Kentia Palms have feathery, pinnate leaves that are dark green and arch gracefully. Typically reaches heights of 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 meters) indoors. They have a classic and elegant appearance and are often used as indoor decorative plants.

Lady Palm

Scientific name: Rhapis excelsa

Other common names: Bamboo Palm, Broadleaf Lady Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Lady Palms have multiple, slender stems and fan-shaped leaves with many segments. They grow to about 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 meters) when planted in the ground. Indoors, it remains smaller. The leaves are typically dark green and add a touch of elegance to indoor spaces.

Fishtail Palm

Scientific name: Caryota mitis

Other common names: Clustering Fishtail Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Fishtail Palms have unique, bipinnate leaves with leaflets that resemble fishtails. It can reach heights of 8-10 feet (2.4-3 meters) or more. The leaves can be quite large, and the plant has an exotic appearance.

Sentry Palm

Scientific name: Howea belmoreana

Other common names: Curly Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Sentry Palms have feathery, pinnate leaves that are compact and arch gracefully. They usually grow to about 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) indoors. They are smaller in size and are suitable for indoor cultivation.

Pygmy Date Palm

Scientific name: Phoenix roebelenii

Other common names: Miniature Date Palm, Robellini Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

Pygmy Date Palms have feathery, pinnate leaves with slender leaflets. They grow to around 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) when planted outdoors, but it is often smaller indoors. They are compact and have a dainty, elegant appearance.

European Fan Palm

Scientific name: Chamaerops humilis

Other common names: Mediterranean Fan Palm, Dwarf Fan Palm

Appearance of palm houseplant identification:

European Fan Palms have fan-shaped leaves with segments and are often seen in a bushy clumping form. They grow to around 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) or more when planted outdoors. They have a rugged and Mediterranean appearance.

Part B: Palm Houseplant Identification with Key

Here, I provide you with a key that will help you identify your palm tree by its leaf shape. Follow it.

Step 1- Leaf Shape:

2. If the leaves are feather-like or pinnate, go to step 2.
3. If the leaves are fan-shaped or palmate, go to step 3.

Step 2- Pinnate Leaves:

1. If the leaflets are arranged in a single plane and the plant is small and suitable for indoor cultivation, it might be a Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
2. If the leaflets are more extensive and the plant is tall and elegant, it might be an Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens).

Step 3- Palmate Leaves:

4. If the leaves are fan-shaped with multiple leaflets radiating from a single point, go to step 4.
5. If the leaves are palmate but more intricate, go to step 5.

Step 4-Fan-Shaped Leaves:

• If the plant has silvery-grey fan-shaped leaves and is suitable for indoor growing, it might be a Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis).
• If the plant has dark green fan-shaped leaves and can grow well indoors, it might be a European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis).

Step 5- Intricate Palmate Leaves:

6. If the leaves are palmate but small and have a unique texture, go to step 6.
7. If the leaves are doubly compound (bipinnate) and the plant is suitable for indoor use, it might be a Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii).

Step 6- Leaf Texture and Characteristics:

1. If the leaves have a unique texture and the plant is suitable for indoor cultivation, it might be a Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum).
2. If the leaves are feather-like and the plant is tall and slender, it might be a Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana).
3. If the leaves are compact and the plant is suitable for indoor use, it might be a Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa).
4. If the leaves are feather-like, and the plant is smaller and can be kept indoors, it might be a Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii).
5. If the leaves are feather-like, the plant is tall and elegant, and the leaves are glossy, it might be a Majestic Palm (Ravenea rivularis).
6. If the leaves are feather-like and the plant is smaller, it might be a Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana).
7. If the leaves are feather-like and the plant is small, it might be a Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis).

Conclusion

Now you have a comprehensive guideline for palm houseplant identification, including a collection of names and images and a key. Do you think which way is easier? Which way is more exact? Did you find the name of your indoor palm tree? What was its name? Please share your ideas and experiences with us below this page.

Elahe Rabiei

Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

 inhouseplant2017@gmail.com