These 12 Dwarf Palms don’t grow tall and remain short and compact, making them perfect for growing indoors or outdoors in a limited space.
Excellent addition to both homes and gardens, these Best Dwarf Palms offer a magnificent tropical look without taking too much room.
Check out our article on best indoor palms here
Best Dwarf Palms
1. Lady Palm
Botanical Name: Rhapis excelsa
Height: 5-6 feet
This palm grows from multiple bush-like clumps with upright, deep green fronds that split into fan-like sections. It prefers dappled light and rich, loose potting mix.
2. Pygmy Date Palm
Botanical Name: Phoenix roebelenii
Height: 3-4 feet
It is one of the best dwarf palm variety with narrow green fronds. Pygmy date palm is easy to care for and performs well in indirect light.
3. Sago Palm
Botanical Name: Cycas revoluta
Height: 1-3 feet
Not a true palm but a member of the cycad family, the sago palm features a short, fuzzy, plump trunk with long and stiff that fronds that arch out with leaflets that grow upwards.
4. Cat Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea cataractarum
Height: 3-4 feet
This small palm tree is ideal for bright, sunny locations but not direct sunlight. It offers long slender green bushy foliage on multiple stems.
5. Ponytail Palm
Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata
Height: 3-4 feet
Also known as the elephant’s foot palm, this palm lookalike is actually a succulent. The base of the stem looks like an elephant’s foot.
6. Bamboo Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Height: 2-3 feet
Bamboo palm showcases decorative dense green bushy foliage, cane-like stems. In the native habitat, it grows in the shade and is perfect for growing in a dim-lit area.
7. European Fan Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaerops humilis
Height: 3-4 Feet
This Chinese fan palm look-alike features spiky fronds that form a star shape. European fan palm is slow-growing and quite manageable indoors. Also, it won’t mind some shade!
8. Saw Palmetto Palm
Botanical Name: Serenoa repens
Height: 3-5 Feet
Grow it in full sun to get that awesome blue-green foliage color. It also does well indoors in bright light and is quite easy to maintain.
9. Cardboard Palm
Botanical Name: Zamia furfuracea
Height: 3-5 feet
Not a true palm, but the growth habit of this ZZ plant relative is similar to that of a real one. It has a unique leaf pattern with toothed tips on long stalks
10. Parlor Palm
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Height: 3-4 feet
This single-trunked palm stays compact and offers dense foliage with arching leaves. It is also particularly noted for growing beautiful yellow flowers.
11. Window Pane Palm
Botanical Name: Reinhardtia gracilis
Height: 3-4 feet
With its unusual looking leaves, divided into 4 sections that come in a bright green hue, the plant makes a solid impression. It is one of the best container palms you can grow.
12. Areca Palm
Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens
Height: 5-10 feet
No other plant can beat this one when it comes to a cool tropical look. It is easy to grow, and the lush foliage looks simply amazing with every interior decor.
