How to grow chamaedorea

What are parlour palms?

Chamaedorea elegans is a tropical palm, native to the rainforests of southern Mexico through to Guatemala, where it grows beneath larger trees. This means it likes warmth and indirect light, making it ideal for life in our homes. 

Elegant, yet very easy to grow and needing little maintenance, parlour palms have been popular houseplants since Victorian times, when they were deservedly given pride of place in the parlour, hence their common name. Here, despite the low light, their lush fronds thrived, adding a fashionably exotic touch that is still prized today. Parlour palms are usually grown as a small clump of several single-stemmed plants together in one pot, for maximum impact.

Chamaedorea elegans has an RHS Award of Garden Merit, thanks to being so easy to grow, reliable and widely available, so you can be sure it’s a good choice.

Buying parlour palms

Parlour palms are readily available from most houseplant retailers. They are sold in a range of sizes, depending on their age, with small, young plants usually being very affordable. If you want big impact, it’s worth paying more for a larger specimen, as they grow at a very slow rate.

When buying, choose a healthy-looking plant with unblemished leaves and no signs of wilting or insect damage. As these are tropical plants, take care to keep them warm when bringing them home.

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: mail order plants

Buying: mail order plants

Location

Position your parlour palm in bright but indirect light, for the best growth and healthy green foliage. This should also encourage flowering. Partial shade is also fine, but growth may be a little slower. 

Avoid direct sun, especially in summer, as this will scorch the leaves. Too little light will cause the leaves to yellow and growth to be poor. 

Temperature

These tropical palms grow best in warmth – ideally 20–27°C (68–80°F) throughout the growing period, from March to October. They can take cooler conditions in winter, when reduced daylight causes growth to slow.

Humidity

While parlour palms don’t generally need high humidity, it is beneficial to mist the leaves regularly as dry air can cause the leaf tips to go brown. This also helps to keep the leaves dust-free and deter red spider mites.

Watering 

Water when the surface of the compost has become dry, preferably with rainwater at room temperature. Avoid watering when the compost is still damp and never let the plant sit in water for long periods, as this can lead to root rot. Tip away any excess water in the drip tray or outer pot after a short while.

Reduce watering in winter, when growth slows. The compost may take longer to dry, so always check for moisture with your finger below the surface, before deciding whether to water.

Avoid using hard tap water on a regular basis, as this is alkaline and can harm these plants, causing the leaves to brown. Parlour palms prefer acidic conditions for healthy growth.

Houseplant 101: Episode Four

Houseplant 101: Episode Four

Houseplants: holiday care

Houseplants: holiday care

Water: using softened and other types

Water: using softened and other types

Feeding 

To improve growth, you can apply a balanced liquid feed on a monthly basis through the growing season, from spring to autumn.

Fertilisers

Fertilisers

Houseplant 101: Episode Five

Houseplant 101: Episode Five

Parlour palms are generally very easy to grow, long lived and trouble free. Occasional problems include:

• brown leaves – this can have several causes, including overwatering, underwatering, hard tap water (use rainwater whenever possible) or direct sunlight. Follow the care advice above to ensure healthy foliage. Also see our video guide to light levels and our video guide to houseplant watering

• poor growth – parlour palms are naturally slow growing and compact, typically 30–60cm (1–2ft) tall, but they can reach up to 120cm (4ft) over time. Low light can lead to weaker growth, while overwatering can damage or kill the roots. If the roots are densely crowded, repot into a slightly larger container – see Planting, above. If growth is poor despite good growing conditions, try feeding once a month with a general liquid feed, from spring to autumn

Few insects or diseases affect parlour palms, but do look out for: 

• red spider mites

• scale insects

• black smut

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How to help a poorly houseplant

How to help a poorly houseplant

Leaf damage on houseplants

Leaf damage on houseplants