8 Plants That Look Most Like Palm Trees

The exotic elegance and noble appearance of tropical plants attract many gardeners and flower lovers, but they are quite expensive and demanding in care, so indoor plants that visually resemble palm trees are becoming increasingly popular.

They are an excellent decoration for various interiors and fill the interior space with a special tropical charm.

As representatives of different families, these flowers require different growing conditions. To choose the most suitable specimen for a specific space, you need to clearly understand its characteristics and needs.

Catalog

True members of the palm family require specific conditions for growth and development. They require plenty of light, but direct sunlight is contraindicated. Humid air and sufficient open space are vital.

In the real world of apartments, creating conditions that meet such requirements is quite difficult. "Copies" look very impressive but require much less maintenance.

Beaucarnea

This undemanding plant is native to Mexico. It tolerates temperature fluctuations, doesn't require frequent watering, and can even withstand mild drought. Beaucarnea doesn't bloom indoors, but it thrives even near radiators. This houseplant can be left unattended for long periods.

The Beaucarnea (Bottle Tree) has a thick, bottle-shaped trunk that widens at the base. A lush cluster of ribbon-like leaves grows at the top.

When caring for a flower, you need to follow these recommendations:

• place it near south-west or south windows;
• maintain the indoor temperature between 10 and 26 degrees;
• When spraying, do not allow moisture to get on the trunk;
• Water weekly in the summer as the soil dries out, and reduce the watering frequency in the winter. When hot weather arrives, it's recommended to place the pot in a container of water.
• From April to October, it is recommended to feed the flower every two weeks.

Dieffenbachia

This tropical evergreen plant is native to Latin America. It grows rapidly, reaching a height of two meters in five years, boasting beautiful, variegated, oval-shaped leaves. Dieffenbachia does not bloom indoors. Its distinctive feature is its thick green stem, on which large, oval leaves are evenly spaced.

When caring for this exotic flower, you should follow some rules:

• protect it from drafts and sudden temperature changes;
• provide good lighting, protecting the flower from direct sunlight;
• Use only settled boiled water for abundant watering;
• in winter, reduce the intensity of soil moisture;
• Trim only while wearing protective gloves, as Dieffenbachia produces toxic substances.

Dracaena

This African tropical plant is a lush shrub with straight, pointed leaves. It reaches a height of 40 cm. You can shape the crown and control the fullness of this indoor plant yourself by trimming the top of the trunk. This will create two branches at the cut site. It is recommended to place the cut top in water and, once roots appear, replant it in soil.

Dracaena doesn't require a lot of care. Its favorable development can be ensured by adhering to a few guidelines:

• create diffused intense lighting;
• ensure abundant soil moisture, loosening it each time before watering;
• in summer, water the plant once every two days, in winter – once every three days;
• transplant the flower into a larger container in time.

Yucca

Yucca is an evergreen plant of the Agavaceae family native to South America. There are many varieties that thrive outdoors in temperate climates. Some even tolerate significant frosts. Yucca blooms with white inflorescences of graceful, large bell-shaped flowers.

This flower has a woody stem that can reach two meters in height when grown indoors. Large, long, sword-shaped leaves extend evenly upward and outward from the stem. Greenhouse varieties are grown with upright, thick stems that end in a lush tuft of green leaves.

Yucca plants are fairly easy to care for. To do so, you'll need to create certain conditions:

• place the flower near western or eastern windows, and in winter it is advisable to provide illumination;
• Due to its resistance to direct sunlight, it can be moved outdoors in summer;
• In the cold season, Yucca feels good at a temperature of 7-12 degrees, and when kept indoors, the room needs to be ventilated from time to time;
• In summer, Yucca needs to be watered generously, not allowing the soil to dry out to a depth of more than 3 cm, and in winter, watering should be moderate;
• It is recommended to spray the plant leaves with settled boiled water or rinse them under the shower, avoiding contact of water with the soil;
• From April to October, it is recommended to feed the flower once a week with liquid fertilizer.

From the family

Several types of palm trees are suitable for apartments. It's worth familiarizing yourself with the most common and easy-to-grow plants to make the right choice.

Areca

Areca lily has many varieties. In the wild, it can grow up to 20 meters. In apartments, it grows as a bushy plant growing from the ground. Bright green, feathery foliage covers the upper portion of slender stems.

The most popular indoor plant is Chrysalidocarpus, which is found wild in Madagascar, tropical Asia, and Oceania. Several stems of equal thickness rise from a pot, forming a dense bush with dense foliage. Indoors, it almost never blooms.

Caring for an indoor Areca is quite simple. To do so, follow these guidelines:

• provide bright lighting, periodically ventilate the room in hot weather, and use additional light sources in winter;
• in the warm season, maintain the temperature at +22-25 degrees Celsius, and in winter, do not allow it to drop below +16°C;
• Areca requires high humidity, so it needs to be constantly sprayed, and in winter, the leaves need to be wiped with a damp cloth;
• Warm, settled water should be used for watering. In summer, areca should be watered generously, allowing the soil to dry out to a depth of no more than 2-3 cm. In winter, watering should be reduced;
• It is important to fertilize the soil twice a month from April to October, and apply fertilizer monthly in winter.

Livistona

This is a fan-shaped variety characterized by leaves that are divided three-quarters of the way down. Indoors, it grows up to two meters. The leaves of these specimens are borne on petioles up to 60 cm long, growing from the base of the stem. A mature plant has a striking appearance.

When caring for this houseplant, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

• maintain the indoor temperature between 14 and 22 degrees Celsius throughout the year;
• water only with soft, settled, warm water as the soil dries out;
• periodically, you need to spray the leaves and remove dust from their surface with a damp cloth; for young specimens, give them a warm shower;
• Fertilize the soil three times a month in the spring and summer, and monthly in the fall and winter.

Trachycarpus

It is considered the most cold-resistant of all palms. Mature specimens with a well-formed trunk can withstand temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius. A fan-shaped crown of leaves grows atop a fibrous trunk. The green leaves have a bluish tint at the edges. It is commonly found in Crimea.

Trachycarpus care at home should be done according to certain rules that take into account its characteristics:

• maintain an optimal temperature of 18-25 degrees Celsius;
• the room in which the plant is located must be periodically ventilated;
• protect the leaves from direct sunlight by providing bright, diffused lighting;
• use light soil with good drainage, do not overwater the plant, as this often causes the root system to rot;
• Once a month, you should give the leaves a warm shower; to humidify the air, you can place a container of water next to the plant;
• In the spring and summer, fertilizers need to be applied monthly.

Chamaedorea

It has a unique shape that appeals to many houseplant enthusiasts. Chamaedorea is easy to maintain and resilient to a variety of conditions. Young specimens are pale green, darkening with age. This species' main characteristic is flowering early in its lifespan. To create the most lush bush, two or three cuttings are often planted simultaneously.

Growing Chamaedorea in an apartment is quite simple, following proven recommendations:

• maintain the temperature throughout the year within the range of 13-27 degrees Celsius;
• ventilate the room periodically;
• provide good diffused light, protection from direct sunlight;
• periodically rotate the pot around its axis;
• water generously 2-3 times a week, avoiding stagnant water;
• wash the leaves with a damp sponge;
• Feed the flower with liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

Rapis

This ornamental species is related to bamboo palms, growing as a bush. Numerous bamboo-like stems emerge from the ground, ending in dark green fan-shaped leaves. Rhapis fits perfectly into the interiors of small apartments.

Anyone can care for it, following specific instructions. When caring for it, follow these steps:

• provide bright diffused light, turn the plant periodically;
• It is not recommended to change the lighting abruptly;
• maintain room temperature by regularly ventilating the room;
• more favorable conditions for wintering will be a decrease in temperature to 10-16 degrees;
• In summer, it is important to provide abundant watering, and in winter, moderate watering with warm, settled water;
• The plant should be fed only in the spring and summer, using a complex mineral-based fertilizer.

Frequently Asked Questions