Palms are an excellent way to bring the tropics home. With many varieties to choose from, it's important to know which will work best for your household and everyone in it. Unlike the highly toxic sago palm, there are plenty of palm plants perfectly safe for pets and humans. Here are some suggestions to inspire you:
Parlor Palm
Parlor palms are a favorite indoor plant all over the world. In addition to being non-toxic, parlor palms can adapt well to low-light environments and cooler temperatures. With a parlor palm, less is more: they are sensitive both to sunburn and overwatering. They are a great beginner plant due to their low-maintenance care and are completely safe in case curious pets want to take a bite of its long fronds.
Areca Palm
Areca palms are another popular palm variety, also safe for animals. Unlike parlor palms, areca palms need bright, indirect light for as much of the day as possible to thrive. Placing your areca palm near a South-facing window will ensure it gets exactly the right amount of light. These palms like to keep their soil moist but are easy to overwater if you're not careful. To avoid this, let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, and try to use distilled water or rainwater to prevent browning of the leaves.
Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palms are a whimsical looking type of palm requiring minimal attention and maintenance. Incredibly drought-tolerant, the ponytail palm can go longer without watering than some other palms. It's also forgiving in less-than-ideal lighting situations, though it prefers bright, indirect light as much as possible. This plant loves to be outdoors during the summer months, but be sure to protect it from colder temperatures and drafts from air conditioner vents or windows when indoors.
All of these are excellent options for pet owners who want to bring a palm tree home. Remember these varieties when considering your next addition to your plant collection.
About the Author
Bob Hummer
Bob Hummer brings a wealth of experience with him; a practitioner in real estate in Northern Virginia since 1978, a Life Member of both the Million Dollar Sales Club and the Top Producers Club with over 2,500 Satisfied Families and President, Prince William Association of REALTORS in 1991. His experiences range from helping buyers and sellers attain their goals; to renovating historic homes on Capitol Hill; to counseling and assisting homeowners facing the loss of their home due to foreclosure. Since 1996, he has presented his free monthly Home Buyer and Home Seller seminars at the Woodbridge campus of Strayer University. In June 2023 he completed the Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist course and was awarded the designation CPRES. His goal is to assist individuals who inherited real estate and wish to sell. A former "Military Brat" and a retired Air Force Hospital Administrator, Bob has made more than 26 moves during his life and is extremely familiar with all aspects of a family relocating - whether it is across the street or across the nation.