The Chamaedorea Elegans, which is also called the Parlor Palm or the Neanthe Bella palm, is a popular house plant that can be found in North, South, and Central American countries.
It features a dark green slender foliage that is carried by thin stalks and is used as a bedroom plant because of its air purifying abilities.
Parlor palm leaves are sturdy as they can survive for as long as 40 days after being cut from the plant.
| Botanical Name | Charmaedorea Elegans |
| Common Names | Neanthe Bella Palm, Parlor Palm, |
| Origin | South, North, and Central America |
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Plant Type | Palm Tree, Perennial |
| Full Size | Ranges from 6 feet to 16 feet tall and 2 feet to 3 feet wide |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, partial sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-draining soil mix |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to people and pets |
Parlor Palm Care
Caring for the Parlor Palm plant can be a little difficult, but with proper knowledge of the plant’s light, water, soil, temperature, and pruning requirements, it should thrive with ease.
Parlor Palm Light Requirement
When growing your Palm Parlor plant indoors, it is recommended that you provide access to bright, partial sunlight so as to encourage proper plant growth.
Inadequate lighting could leave the plant looking droopy and prolonged access to direct sunlight could scorch the plant’s delicate leaves.
Place the Chamaedorea palm plant in a room, close to a northwards facing window. You could make use of a light curtain or cloth to help filter the intensity of the sunlight
Parlor Palm Watering Requirement
The root system of the Parlor palm tree is weak, so it is recommended that you limit the frequency with which you water the plant to once or twice a week during its growing seasons.
During the winter season, reduce the watering to once a month or 3 weeks as the plant would be dormant there.
The goal of watering should be to keep the soil moist at all times. Wet or soggy soil can lead to root rot. A good practice would be to make use of a moisture meter to measure the moisture level of the soil before watering.
You can also try feeling the soil texture with your finger and ensure it is almost dry before watering. Use room temperature water that does not contain chlorine so you don’t end up stressing the plant’s roots.
Parlor Palm Soil Requirement
An ideal soil type for the parlor plant would be one that is well-draining but still has moisture retaining capacity.
Using a good potting mix that contains one part peat moss and one part perlite should be good when growing the plant indoors. Ensure the mix is not spongy as it might break down with ease.
Keep the pH value of the soil neutral or a little acidic. Between 6.5 to 7.0.
Parlor Palm Temperature and Humidity Requirement
Mist the Parlor palm often or ensure you use a humidifier as the plant thrives in average humid climates.
Temperature should be kept between the range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature levels lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit would be harmful to the plant and make sure the potted plant is not touched by frost.
Parlor Palm Fertilizer Requirement
Fertilizing should be done once or twice a week during the plant’s growing season. Avoid fertilizing during the winter season.
When fertilizing, make use of a liquid soluble fertilizer that has been diluted to half of its original strength.
Parlor Palm Propagation and Repotting Requirements
A full-grown parlor palm plant can be propagated through two methods. These are;
- Seed propagation
- Dividing the clumps
Reporting should be done once a year or 2. Use a new pot that is a little bigger than the previous pot. Ensure there are enough drainage holes at the base of each pot.
Parlor Palm Pruning Requirement
Parlor palms are slow growers and as such would require little pruning. However, pruning would be required to keep it looking good. Ensure that you sterilize any tool to be used in pruning and trim each dead leaf at the base of its stem.
Common Health Problems of the Parlor Palm Plant
- Root rot
- Whitefly
- Mealybug
- Aphids
- Scales
Frequently Asked Questions
At full height, a parlor palm can get as tall as 16 feet.
The parlor palm is a low grower and can take up to 2 to 3 years to reach its full height
Parlor palms are terrible in excess water, so no they can’t grow in water.
Growing the Parlor palm indoors should be easy as they are considered non-toxic plants.
Brown tips for your parlor palm plant indicate that they are being overwatered.
