If you’re like most people, you love plants but find keeping them alive a challenge.
Chamaedorea elegans, or the Parlor Palm, is an excellent plant for those who want to enjoy the beauty of plants without the hassle of constant care.
Here are three reasons why you might want to get and learn how to care for chamaedorea elegans:
The first reason is that they’re one of the easiest palms to grow. They don’t need much light or water and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings.
Second, these palms are slow growers, so they won’t outpace your ability to care for them. They’ll also stay relatively small, rarely growing taller than six feet.
Lastly, they have a very elegant appearance with slender, graceful leaves often used in floral arrangements.
If you’re interested in adding chamaedorea elegans to your home or office, we have compiled the top tips on how to care for them. Read on to learn more!
Some of the common household names for the chamaedorea elegans include:
- Parlor palm
- Bamboo palm
- Good luck plant
The chamaedorea elegans is called the parlor palm because it was traditionally used to decorate parlors.
The name bamboo palm comes from its slender, upright leaves that resemble bamboo stalks.
This plant is also known as the good luck plant because it is believed to bring good fortune to those who have it in their home.
Quick Facts On Chamaedorea Elegans
- Family: Arecaceae
- Light: Shade to partial sun
- Temperature: 60° to 85° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Water regularly
- Fertilizer: Palm fertilizer high in nitrogen Monthly
- Propagation: Seed, division
- Common Problems: Brown tips, root rot
Chamaedorea Elegans Care
Chamaedorea elegans, or the parlor palm, is relatively easy to care for and can thrive in various environments.
Here are some tips on how to care for your chamaedorea elegans:
What Does The Parlor Palm Look Like, And How Big Does It Grow?
The chamaedorea elegans is a small palm that typically grows between 2′ and 4 feet tall.
It has slender, dark green leaves arranged in a feather-like pattern. The leaves can grow up to 18 inches long.
The parlor palm is a slow-growing plant. It can take several years for the plant to reach its full size.
When Does The Parlor Palm Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Chamaedorea elegans produces small, yellowish-white flowers that bloom in the springtime. These are followed by small, black fruits.
The flowers of parlor palm are not particularly fragrant.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
The chamaedorea elegans prefer bright, indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sun, but too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
When grown indoors, the plant does best in a south- or west-facing window. When grown outdoors, the parlor palm should be in a shady spot.
The parlor palm is a tropical plant and prefers warm temperatures.
It can tolerate some temperature fluctuations but will not tolerate cold temperatures and should be kept between 60° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit. It may lose its leaves if the temperature gets too cold.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Parlor Palm?
The chamaedorea elegans should be regularly watered, and the soil should be moist but not soggy.
Watering once a week is typically sufficient, but more frequent watering may be necessary for hot weather or if the plant is grown in a pot with drainage holes.
When fertilizing, use a palm fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Fertilize monthly during the growing season and every other month during the winter.
What Is The Best Soil For Chamaedorea Elegans, And When Should You Transplant?
The chamaedorea elegans prefer a light, well-drained potting mix. A commercial potting mix or a homemade mix of one part peat moss and one part perlite or sand is a good option
The plant should be transplanted into a slightly larger pot every 2 to 3 years or as needed.
To move the parlor palm plant inside from the outside, you should do so gradually to avoid shocking the plant.
Start by doing the following:
- Place the plant in a shady spot outdoors for a week or two.
- Move it to a spot with more sun for a week or two.
- After that, you can bring it inside and place it in its final location.
When moving the plant inside from outside, you may want to check for pests such as:
- Scale
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
These pests can be difficult to control once they get established, so it is best to prevent them from getting a foothold in the first place.
Remember to choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current pot. A pot that is too large will retain too much moisture and could lead to root rot.
If you want to move it outside from inside, you should do so gradually.
Start by placing it in a spot with more sun for a week or two, then move it to a shady spot for a week or two.
After that, you can put it in its final location outdoors.
Do Chamaedorea Elegans Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
The chamaedorea elegans do not require special grooming or maintenance.
However, you may want to wipe the leaves down occasionally with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.
You can also trim off any yellow or brown leaves as needed. Trimmed leaves can be composted or used as mulch around other plants.
How To Over-Winter Chamaedorea Elegans?
The chamaedorea elegans are not cold-hardy and should be brought indoors before the first frost.
When moving the plant inside, gradually acclimate it to its new environment as described above.
It is best to keep the plant in a south- or west-facing window. You can provide artificial lighting with fluorescent bulbs if you do not have such a window.
The plant should be kept at a temperature of 60° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit and should not be allowed to get too cold. It may lose its leaves if the temperature gets too cold.
You can stop fertilizing the plant when it is brought indoors for the winter. Watering may also need to be reduced, depending on the humidity level in your home. The plant should be kept moist but not soggy.
When spring arrives, you can start fertilizing the plant again and gradually acclimate it to life outdoors.
How To Propagate The Parlor Palm?
If you want to propagate your parlor palm, the best time is in the spring or summer.
You can propagate bamboo palm by seed or by dividing an existing plant with multiple plantlets.
To propagate by seed, do the following:
- Plant the seeds in a well-draining potting mix and keep them moist but not wet.
- Next, place the pot in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which can take two to four weeks.
- Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots.
To propagate by division, do the following:
- Carefully remove an existing plant from its pot.
- Gently divide it into 2 or 3 sections, ensuring each section has its own root ball.
- Plant the sections in individual pots filled with a well-draining potting mix and water them well.
- Place the pots in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist until the plants are established.
Once your bamboo palm is propagated, it will need regular care to thrive.
Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry and fertilize it monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Place your palm in a bright location but out of direct sunlight.
Chamaedorea Elegans Pests And Diseases
While bamboo palms are generally resistant to pests and disease, they can occasionally be affected by:
- Scale insects
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
If you notice any of these pests on your plant, treat it with an appropriate insecticide.
Bamboo palms are also susceptible to fungal diseases like brown spots and leaf spots.
These diseases are most likely to occur if the leaves are kept too wet or if the plant is growing in poorly-drained soil.
To prevent fungal diseases, water your bamboo palm at the base of the plant and ensure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
If you notice any disease problems, treat them with a fungicide designed for use on palms.
Suggested Uses for Bamboo Palm
The parlor plant can be used as a standalone accent plant or grouped with other plants to create a tropical-themed display.
For example, you can use your parlor plant to create a dish garden with other low-light plants like ferns, African violets, and peperomias.
Or, you can group multiple plants in a single pot for a lush, tropical look. This plant is also an excellent choice for terrariums due to its small size and slow growth habit.
With proper care, bamboo palms can be long-lived, low-maintenance houseplants.
These tropical plants make a great addition to any indoor space and can even be grown outdoors in warm climates.
So if you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to care for and will add a touch of the tropics to your home, consider a parlor plant.