Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)(Neanthe bella palm)

 Parlor Palm    

The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has long been used as an indoor plant. 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. It grows in attractive clumps with light-textured foliage cloaking thin trunks.

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. 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).

Parlor Palm Care

The parlor palm is one of the most popular indoor palms grown in most temperate countries, favored because it adapts to relatively low light and handles lower temperatures. Among all the palm trees, parlor palms are a great place to start for the beginner. The plants do especially well in 3-gallon pots (about 10 inches wide) in a northern exposure or foyer, where they show off their fine-textured leaves. Because they are tolerant of lower light conditions and sensitive to too much water, they are prime candidates to be "loved to death," either through overwatering or by getting too much direct sunlight.

Light

These are considered low-light plants, but that doesn't mean "no-light." Parlor palms will do their best in bright, filtered sunlight. They often do well with northern exposure.

Soil

Indoors, any high-quality peat-based potting mix will suffice. Be careful not to let the mixture break down and become spongy. Outdoors, this palm will grow well in almost any soil—sand, loamy, or clay. But it does not tolerate salty soil.

Water

Like many palms, parlor palms are sensitive to overwatering and cannot tolerate being waterlogged or sitting in a saturated potting mix. Ideally, keep moisture at an even level. Err on the side of slightly too dry rather than overwatering. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Yellow fronds will indicate the plant needs more water.

Temperature and Humidity

The parlor palm prefers room temperatures between 65- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit 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. If your palm begins to develop dry leaf margins or brown tips, it's most likely caused by cold drafts or prolonged dry periods.² To remedy this situation, raise the humidity levels before overwatering.

Fertilizer

Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer once or twice during the growing season and not at all during the winter. These plants are light feeders.

Types of Parlor Palms

• C. elegans is the most popular type of parlor palm. It's native to Mexico and Central America and is sometimes used in dish gardens.
• C. erumpens is a bamboo palm that originates slightly further south than C. elegans and is a bit larger, with more fan-like leaves.
• C. hooperiana is a newer variety that resembles a kentia palm with its large, dramatic palm-shaped leaves. It's a vigorous plant that's easy to grow.

Propagating Parlor Palm

These plants are almost always propagated from seed by professional growers. It may be possible to divide a clump into two smaller clumps successfully, but this is not recommended because it will put the plant and its roots under too much stress. The plants aren't clumping by nature but grown in clumps for aesthetic reasons. They cannot be propagated by stem cutting or leaf cutting. In general, it's best for home growers to buy a new plant rather than attempt propagation.

Potting and Repotting

Parlor palms have weak root systems and grow relatively slowly, meaning that repotting should only be done with care. In general, the plants stay a manageable size, so you shouldn't have to repot it more than every other year. If your potting media breaks down and becomes mucky or sponge-like, then repot to prevent root rot.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Parlor palms are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and whitefly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible. Fungal leaf spots and root rot can occur from moisture issues such as overwatering.

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