Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Conservatory GreenhousePalmsHouseplants

Chamaedorea microspadix

A small, suckering palm to 1.5m, with groups of cane-like stems and arching, feathery leaves composed of lance-shaped leaflets. Mature plants may produce drooping clusters of small pale yellow flowers in summer. It makes a good house or conservatory plant, and is tolerant of temperatures as low as -5°C if kept dry

Synonyms
Chamaedorea metallica misapplied

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Arecaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Chamaedorea are evergreen palms with slender, solitary or clustered stems bearing large leaves which may be pinnate or shaped like a fish tail; insignificant flowers are borne in panicles or spikes below the leaves, followed by small fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
E Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots of peat-free multipurpose compost in bright, filtered light with protection from direct summer sun. Water moderately in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed every month during the growing season; mist daily to increase humidity. See Chamaedorea for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in spring at 25°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.