How palms became synonymous with high-end interior styling
Palms are amongst the popular of houseplants in the UK, helping to create a luscious and laidback ambiance with their exotic foliage and luxurious silhouettes. Many varieties thrive indoors in the UK all year round, whilst also enjoying a summer outdoors on patios, balconies and terraces.
Growing palms indoors became fashionable in the UK during the Victorian era of botanical discovery, when affluent households embraced exotic plants with a passion, as they were collected from across the British Empire. Advances in glasshouse technology, conservatories and heated homes made it possible to cultivate palms indoors for the first time on a larger scale. Palms quickly became symbols of sophistication, prosperity and worldliness.
Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) became especially desirable because they tolerated the lower light conditions found inside British homes and grand hotels. To this day they feature amongst the most popular houseplants in this country. By the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, palms were common features in conservatories, entrance halls and drawing rooms.
The popularity of indoor palms surged again during the 1970s houseplant boom, when easier-to-grow varieties such as Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens), Parlour palms (Chamaedorea elegans) and Yucca became widely available through garden centres.
Today, palms are enjoying another major revival thanks to a growing interest in biophilic interior design, improved containers and growing media along with social media-driven houseplant culture, which thrives on photogenic specimens.
The new age of palm cultivation
Modern container growing systems such as exceptional self-watering planters and specialist substrates offered by LECHUZA have made growing palms indoors significantly easier and more reliable for contemporary UK homes.
Kentia palms, Yuccas and Arecas are still firm favourites with UK homeowners and houseplant enthusiasts who are looking to add architectural greenery and effortless style to their interiors. Whilst many palm varieties are relatively easy to grow under the right conditions, the key to success is choosing the right planter and growing substrate for these special plants.
The larger CLASSICO, PURO and CANTO designs by LECHUZA provide ideal growing conditions for palms thanks to their ingenious integrated irrigation system and generous planting capacity. Combined with the specially developed Palm PON growing substrate, palms can flourish with minimal effort.
Palm care tips
Palm PON (RRP £18.99) is a specially developed organic, peat-free mineral-based growing medium created specifically for palms cultivated in containers. It offers excellent drainage, long-lasting structure and optimum root aeration, helping to prevent overwatering and root rot. Unlike conventional composts, Palm PON remains stable over time and helps maintain balanced moisture levels around the roots.
Kentia Palms are one of the most elegant and resilient indoor palms, ideal for lower light rooms, whilst soft and feathery Arecas prefer bright, indirect light. The compact Parlour Palm is perfect for apartments or smaller spaces and can also tolerate lower light conditions, whilst the striking Fan Palm has dramatic foliage that thrives indoors with good light. Yuccas prefer several hours of direct or strong indirect sunlight each day.
It is easy to over-water palms, which is one of the most common causes of palm decline when they’re kept as houseplants. but LECHUZA’s integrated self-watering system solves this problem by allowing plants to draw up exactly the water they need from a built-in reservoir. This means palms can often go for extended periods without attention, making them ideal for busy households, frequent travellers and summer holidays. The self-watering system also helps reduce the risk of overwatering, one of the most common causes of palm decline indoors.
During warmer summer months, many palms can also be moved outdoors to sheltered patios or balconies, particularly in southern or more temperate areas of the UK. You won’t have to worry about putting your back out lugging pots around with a LECHUZA Coaster, available in different sizes and materials.
Larger statement palms look particularly impressive in LECHUZA’s CLASSICO (RRP: £141.92) PURO (RRP £87.97) and CANTO Stone (RRP from £48.13) planters, which combine contemporary styling with practical plant care technology. If a tall and elegant silhouette is what you’re looking for, CUBICO Color is the answer, whilst those in search of eye-popping colour will love the fiery scarlet QUADRO.
With the right palm, planter and substrate combination, it’s easy to create a lush indoor oasis that remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year.
For more information visit: https://www.thelechuza.co.uk or follow @lechuza.co.uk on Instagram.
