
Basic Care Guidelines for Chamaedorea Elegans (Parlour Palms)
- Watering. Water once a week or even after two weeks. ...
- Humidity. Chamaedorea Elegans is resilient and will tolerate dry indoor air. ...
- Soil. Chamaedorea Elegans are not too sensitive to the soil on which it is planted as long as the soil drains well and has some nutrients for the roots.
- Lighting. ...
- Temperature. ...
How much light do parlor palms need?
Parlor palm houseplants prefer low light and may actually suffer in direct sunlight, so there's no need to place them in your brightest windows. They do like a little bit of light, and will do best by a window that receives some early morning or late afternoon light.
How do you care for a parlor palm plant?
Repotting your Parlor Palm is relatively basic:
- Fill an appropriately sized pot with bottom drain holes about 1/3 full of a fertile, well-drained potting mix. ...
- Remove the Parlor Palm from its present container and inspect the root system for wrapping. ...
- Place the Parlor Palm into its new pot and fill the remainder with soil, being sure to not plant any deeper than it was growing in its original pot. ...
How to grow a parlor palm?
Parlor Palm Plant Propagation with Division
- Choose a pot that’s an appropriate size to hold a single stem from the mother plant. ...
- Gently remove the mother plant from its container. ...
- Look for a healthy-looking, established stem with its own root system. ...
- Plant your new stem in the pot with the soilless mix, ensuring the roots and stem are covered by soil. ...
What are the best indoor palms?
- Indoor Palm Plants (With Pictures of Indoor Palm Trees)
- Parlor Palm ( Chamaedorea elegans)
- Chinese Fan Palm ( Livistona chinensis)
- Areca Palm ( Dypsis lutescens)
- Cat Palm ( Chamaedorea cataractarum)
- Ponytail Palm ( Beaucarnea recurvata)
- Majestic Palm ( Ravenea rivularis)
- Bamboo Palm ( Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Kentia Palm ( Howea forsteriana)

Where should I put my Parlor Palm?
For best results, grow your parlour palm in house plant compost in a bright spot, shaded from full sun. Water regularly during the growing season and feed monthly. During winter, keep the compost on the dry side.
How do you care for a indoor Parlor Palm?
Parlor Palm Plant Care TipsSunlight. Thrives in medium to bright indirect light and can tolerate low indirect light. ... Water. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. ... Humidity. Normal to higher humidity.Temperature. ... Size. ... Common Problems with Parlor Palms.
How often should I water my Parlor Palm?
Your Parlor Palm enjoys weekly waterings. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, especially during the winter - when you might only need to water your plant fortnightly.
Can a Parlor Palm take full sun?
Parlor palm houseplants prefer low light and may actually suffer in direct sunlight, so there's no need to place them in your brightest windows. They do like a little bit of light, and will do best by a window that receives some early morning or late afternoon light.
How long does a parlor palm live?
The fronds are popular in flower arrangements, Palm Sunday decorations, and wreaths because they can survive for up to 40 days after being cut from the plant. Parlor palm is a slow grower and can take years to reach full height (2 to 6 feet indoors and 6 to 16 feet outdoors).
Why are the tips of my parlor palm turning brown?
The Parlour Palm will get brown leaf tips, which indicates overwatering, while yellow fronds tell you that the plant needs a bit more water.
Can you overwater a parlor palm?
If you're consistently overwatering your Parlor palm, it's very likely root rot will start to develop. This happens because not enough oxygen can reach the roots of your Parlor palm. It's easy to avoid this by letting the soil dry out completely before watering your palm again.
Can I put my parlor palm outside?
Parlor palms can be moved outdoors in the summer. Protect them from direct sun, which will scorch their leaves. Choose a shaded outdoor location and water daily in hot, dry conditions. Move your plant back indoors when night temperatures fall below 55 degrees F.
How often should you mist your palms?
Usually, this could be 2-3 times per week. Also, keep in mind that good drainage is important for your indoor Palm Tree. Never let your plant's root ball sit in water since this could lead to its death....Botanical NameArecaceaePlant SizeIndoors: 6-8 feet, Natural Habitat: 80-100 feet10 more rows•Jul 31, 2020
When should I repot my parlor palm?
Smaller Parlor Palms require repotting once every 18 months in early spring, while older plants only need repotting every three years depending on their growth rate. Choose a new pot large enough to accommodate the plant's size and growth rate. Repot into well-draining soil and water after repotting.
Does a parlour palm flower?
Small flowers and sometimes even small seeds do appear quite often throughout the year on a mature well grown and well cared for plant.
Should I trim my parlor palm?
Do not prune this palm; Parlor palms grow from a terminal bud. Pruning this single point of growth will cause it to stop growing. However, it's fine to trim off old fronds that have turned brown. This is one of a few palms that grow well in low light.
Should I mist my parlor palm?
Although this palm will tolerate dry indoor air, it will be healthier with higher humidity. A good misting once a week with room-temperature water will help keep the humidity up as well as keep its leaves clean.
Do palm plants need sunlight?
Most palms are tolerant of (or prefer) shade and may fail to thrive if they receive too much direct sunlight. Low-light palm species prefer bright indirect light but also can tolerate less light, especially during the winter months.
Why is my parlour palm drooping?
Drooping Parlor palm When your Parlor palm starts drooping, it's most likely due to underwatering or overwatering. It's easy to determine which of the two is the root cause: check the moisture of your soil. If the soil is still moist, you might be overwatering your Parlor palm.
Why is my indoor palm turning yellow?
Low humidity and dry soil cause frond leaflets to brown on their edges, later followed by entire yellowing. Misting the leaves or fronds often can increase the humidity. Alternating between bone dry and wet soil from ill-timed waterings can create stress and cause the Palm to have yellow fronds and eventually die.
Why does my Parlor Palm have brown tips?
Your Parlor palm has brown tips when it's too dry and it needs to be watered. The Parlor palm doesn't store a lot of moisture in its stems, so when...
Why does my Parlor Palm have black spots?
The black spots on your Parlor Palm are due to too much sunlight. The black spots are sunburns. The Parlor palm doesn't tolerate direct sunlight an...
Is a Parlor palm toxic to cats and dogs?
No, a Parlor palm is not toxic to cats and dogs. It's safe to have your Parlor palm in places where you cats and dogs can reach it.
Why are the leaves on my Parlor Palm turning yellow?
When the leaves on a Parlor Palm turn yellow, it's often due to too much sunlight exposure. It could be a watering issue as well, but it's most lik...
Why do my parlor palms rot?
This happens because not enough oxygen can reach the roots of your Parlor palm.
When do you see new growth on a parlor palm?
When you've taken great care of your Parlor palm consistently, you will start seeing new growth on your Parlor palm during the growing season (spring and summer). The leaves grow and die quickly, so there is quite a lot of new growth during the entire growing season.
Why is my palm drooping?
It's easy to determine which of the two is the root cause: check the moisture of your soil . If the soil is still moist, you might be overwatering your Parlor palm. However, if the soil is dry, it's time to water your Parlor palm.
Why are my palm leaves turning black?
These black spots are sunburns caused by direct sunlight. You can trim these black spots and give some nutrients back to your plant.
What is the best plant to start a collection of?
A palm, and the Parlor Palm especially, is a great first plant to start your plant collection. They're plants that are great for those darker places in your house where not a lot of other plants can grow. Palms are low-maintenance plants, so it's no problem if you forget it to water it for a few days.
How to tell if my palm is getting the right light?
You can see if your Parlor palm is getting the right light by checking young leaves. Older leaves that have turned light green and yellow won't turn back to the darker green.
Can you leave a porch palm in dry soil?
This means that you should let the soil dry out, but you can't let your Parlor palm sit in dry soil for more than a few days.
What temperature do parlor palms like?
The parlor palm prefers room temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a low of 50 degrees but will die if touched by frost. Keep it away from cold drafts near windows, vents, and outside doors. It will thrive with average humidity.
Why is the parlor palm so popular?
It gained a near-instant following for several good reasons: It's adapted to relatively low light, can handle lower temperatures, and grows in attractive clumps with light-textured foliage cloaking thin trunks. These factors make the parlor palm one of the most popular indoor palms grown in most temperate countries.
How long do palm fronds last?
The fronds are popular in flower arrangements, Palm Sunday decorations, and wreaths because they can survive for up to 40 days after being cut from the plant. Parlor palm is a slow grower and can take years to reach full height (2 to 6 feet indoors; 6 to 16 feet outdoors).
What are the pests that can be found in a palm tree?
Parlor palms are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and whitefly. 3 If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option. Fungal leaf spots and root rot can occur from moisture issues such as overwatering. Article Sources.
Where did the parlor palm originate?
This lovely plant with deep green foliage was first discovered in Central America and brought back to the United States where it immediately became a popular indoor palm.
Can palms grow in pots?
These factors make the parlor palm one of the most popular indoor palms grown in most temperate countries. It is possible to sometimes find single-stalk specimens, but most often the palms are grown in small clumps so that they resemble palm-like shrubs in attractive pots.
How to increase humidity in a palm planter?
Use a humidifier to increase humidity levels for your Parlor Palm. Set the container on a tray of pebbles. As you water, the fluid drains from the bottom of the pot’s holes and into the pebble-lined tray and as it evaporates, it creates humidity around the plant.
How many palms per container?
You usually find larger specimens of the palm planted with three plants per container. If given an adequate amount of light, which doesn’t always happen indoors, Parlor Palms produce clusters of yellow flowers in springtime. Dark, black berries follow the flowers.
Why are my porch palms turning brown?
There are several reasons your Parlor Palm’s leaf tips are turning brown. As a palm frond naturally starts dying, the leaf tips brown and the browning eventually covers the entire frond to where it’s attached to the trunk.
How long does it take for a palm seed to germinate?
Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. If the top of the soil feels dry, water. Like many types of palms, it can take several months for viable Parlor palm seeds to germinate.
How to make a potting soil?
Mix one part potting soil, one part coarse sand. Mix one part peat, one part coarse sand, one part potting soil. Mix one part compost, one part peat, one part perlite. The most important factor to remember when it comes to the proper soil is to make sure it drains properly when watered.
What is a porch palm?
Parlor Palms have dense, deep green, feathery foliage born on arching branches. They usually develop bamboo-like ridges along the trunk as it ages. In fact, if you are looking for a plant resembling bamboo, then a Parlor Palm is the right choice for you.
How tall does a porch palm grow?
When grown outdoors in its preferred environment, a Parlor Palm can grow up to 8 feet tall. However, when grown indoors as a houseplant, it typically grows to a mature height of around 4 feet. They have a slow rate of growth, so no need to worry about them quickly outgrowing their pots.
What is a good first plant to start a collection of?
A Palm, and the Parlor Palm especially, is a great first plant to start your plant collection. They're plants that are great for those darker places in your house where not a lot of other plants can grow. Palms are low-maintainance plants and they're also quite forgiving plants. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know to take care of your Parlor Palm .
Is a porch palm a good plant?
The Parlor Palm is a great plant to start your plant collection with. It's low-maintenance and not toxic to your pets and/or small children. This makes it the perfect beginner-friendly plant for your house. It tells you exactly when it's not happy and it grows quickly, yet stays small.
What is a parlor palm?
Parlor palms (also known as Chamaedorea elegans or Neanthe bella palm) are the very common indoor palms you find sitting in the corners of people’s living rooms all around the world. While they might seem a bit common at first glance, this majestic, low-light palm shouldn’t be brushed off! In this post, I’ll explain how easy parlor palm care is ...
Why are my palms turning brown?
There are a few things that can cause this, but the most common causes for brown leaves on parlor palms are overwatering or underwatering, and too much light or too little light. Figuring out the cause is, luckily, pretty easy! Always use your finger to feel for soil moisture BEFORE watering.
Why is my palm always wet?
If you notice your palm is always wet when you check it before watering, then you might be too aggressive with watering it , and vice versa if it’s always bone dry! If you suspect it’s a light issue rather than watering, either raise or lower the light levels your plant receives for a few days and observe how it reacts.
How to get rid of spider mites on leaves?
Next, thoroughly wipe down the fronts and backs of the leaves to remove any webs or remaining mit es.
Do palms need indirect light?
I said in my introduction that parlor palms are low-light plants. Yes, they do well in low light, but their ideal lighting is medium, indirect light. Parlor palms will also do OK in bright, indirect light, but too much light will burn the leaves.
Can you split a parlor palm?
If you’re very determined to propagate your parlor palm, they can be divided, but the mother and the newly separated plant will both experience a period of shock that will cause some of the foliage to die back. Therefore, you should only attempt this if you have a mature, healthy plant that has several stems.
What Types of Palm Plants Are There?
Palm Plants are known for their unique looks with their large evergreen leaves known as fonds. This tropical plant can line the streets of Miami or the halls of your home. However, finding the right palm plant may be difficult as there are over 2,600 different species.
What Soil Works Best for Palm Plants?
Palm Plants live best in loose and porous soil mixtures. These well-draining mixtures should range from a neutral to slightly acidic pH. In addition, you may be able to find a soil mixture of peat moss, leaf mold, and shredded bark specifically made for palm plants.
How Much Sunlight Does a Palm Plant Need?
There are plenty of palm species that would do perfectly well with bright, direct sunlight. But not every palm works that way.
What Temperature Works Best for Palm Plants?
Your palm plant should thrive as long as your home is between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, make sure you keep it away from drafty and colder areas of your home, as temperatures below 50 degrees will begin to damage your plant.
Do Palm Plants Enjoy Humidity?
As many palm plants are tropical varieties, your plant will likely prefer humid environments. However, in most cases, the average household humidity should be enough for your plant.
How Often Should Your Water Palm Plant?
Overwatering can often be a problem with palm plants. You don’t want sitting water in the palm plant’s pot. Instead, you’ll want to water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but occasionally letting it get dry. You want to keep the soil moist but let it dry between waterings once in a while.
What Size Do Palm Plants Grow To?
Indoor palm plants are much smaller than their outdoor cousins. However, they can still become a solid centerpiece as they grow to 4-6 feet tall as they display their large fonds. Unfortunately, this plant is a relatively slow grower and won’t quickly reach its mature size.
Parlor Palm Overview
The Chamaedorea elegans, more commonly known as the Parlor Palm, is a member of the Arecaceae family and native to Mexico and Guatemala.
Parlor Palm Care Guide
If you love palms and want an indoor version, the parlor palm is great for beginner gardeners. They do well in lobbies and low-light conditions, although they will be sensitive to water.
Parlor Palm Toxicity and Pets
Parlor palms are not toxic to dogs or cats, making them an ideal houseplant for families with pets and small children.
Parlor Palm Pests, Diseases, and Problems
Parlor palms, like most houseplants, are susceptible to pests including aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
Parlor Palm Care Final Thoughts
This is the quintessential houseplant for beginners and for those with little time to dedicate to indoor gardening.
Parlor Palm Care FAQs
The parlor palm likes bright indirect light, but can tolerate low-light as well. It doesn’t like direct sunlight as it’s too intense and will lead to browning and scorched leaves.
How to keep spider mites off palms?
Keep the soil moist. Palm plants need a delicate balance of moisture and humidity. Keep your palm plant moist by misting the leaves or placing them in a room with a humidifier.
Why are my palm trees turning yellow?
However, palm plants are susceptible to root rot when exposed to too much moisture, indicated by yellowing leaves. Keep your containers adequately drained of excess water to ensure healthy growth. Avoid letting the soil get too dry—the leaves will develop brown tips if you wait too long to water. Prune occasionally.
How tall do bamboo palms grow?
Bamboo palm: With their bright-green bushy leaves, bamboo palms can grow anywhere from three to 12 feet. They require a rich, organic potting mix but are more tolerant to dry air and lower light conditions. Chinese fan palm: Livistona Chinensis, the Chinese fan palm or fountain palm, is a palm native to east Asia.
What is a pygmy date palm?
The pygmy date palm is the most commonly cultivated version of indoor palm. Majesty palm: Majesty palms are slow-growing palm plants that love humidity and bright light. These palms can help purify the air in your home and make extravagant additions to your indoor foliage with the proper care and environment.
How long does it take for palms to germinate?
Germination times will vary depending on the species of palm you want to plant—some types take only two months, while others can take up to six. Once they’ve sprouted, move to a location with high humidity that’s at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove your seedlings.
What is a palm tree?
A palm is a perennial plant from the Arecaceae family (derived from the word “ areca ,” referring to a series of palm species) that grows naturally in climates with high temperatures and humidity levels. The tropical plant commonly grows in the form of trees, shrubs, and climbing plants, and are known for their large green fronds, ...
How tall is a Chinese fan palm?
They prefer bright, indirect light and can reach heights between six and eight feet, sprouting large fronds that resemble a folded, paper fan.
