The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is the classic small indoor palm: soft, feathery green fronds on a compact plant that tops out around two to four feet. It grows slowly and handles ordinary room conditions better than most palms, which is why it has been a houseplant staple for over a century.

Give it bright, indirect light and keep it out of hot direct sun, which browns the fronds. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and let excess drain away. It appreciates a little extra humidity, so a bathroom window or an occasional misting suits it well.