How to care for indoor palm trees

Indoor palms are a favourite for adding a little life and colour to spaces such as offices and living rooms, especially because they are so easy to care for and some species can tolerate poor lighting. Elegant and very hardy, beautiful indoor palms require some care to keep them lush, stylish and with perfect leaves. Whether you have a Kentia, Areca or Chamaedorea, with these tips you will learn how to care for indoor palms like a pro.

Learn how to care for indoor palms

• Choose the right species: not all the palms you find in nurseries are suitable for indoor growing. There are places that sell you coconut palms, for example, which must be planted outdoors and cannot withstand low temperatures. They are used as seasonal plants, when in ideal conditions they can live up to 100 years. That said, prefer Kentia palms, lounge palms and Areca palms, which can acclimatise very well in your flat.

• They need a humid and well-ventilated environment: these are tropical plants, which require good humidity levels and this does not depend on watering. Spray your palms with water from time to time or surround them with other plants to create their own microclimate.

• Provide plenty of light: Indoor palms tend to thrive in well-lit areas, although Kentia can adapt to any lighting conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, which will burn its leaves and damage it. A good trick to maximise indoor lighting is to paint the walls white and even use fluorescent lamps.

• Temperate temperature: with indoor palms, don't go to extremes, no freezing temperatures, but not too hot either. It should never be below 10°C and keep it away from radiators.

• Abundant watering without puddling: Water a couple of times a week and reduce the frequency in winter. Indoor palms need a moist substrate, but never waterlogged. If the humidity accumulates at the bottom of the pot, it will expose the plant to fungus-related diseases, as well as suffocating the roots.

• Let it flow: Drainage of indoor palm pots should be a priority, because if the substrate remains at the right moisture level you can avoid a lot of diseases and problems. Always place a layer of pebbles, expanded clay or similar materials at the bottom before planting the plant.

• Give it a good substrate: The substrate should retain some moisture, but not become waterlogged; it should also allow the roots to breathe. For this you can make a mixture of universal substrate with 30% perlite or volcanic substrate to improve drainage.

• Safe transplanting: The roots of indoor palms are often delicate, so when transplanting avoid moving the root ball too much. Transplant each year in early spring into a larger pot, at least 4cm extra in diameter.