Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

How much light does a Parlor Palm need?

Indoors, this palm needs bright, indirect light, though it can tolerate low-light conditions. It also tolerates very low light. Outdoors, it prefers part shade, and full shade is listed as another option. The outdoor listing describes dappled sunlight, meaning shade through the upper canopy all day.

• Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light^1,2

How often to water a Parlor Palm

Water needs run from dry to medium. The plant can tolerate drought and dry soil for short periods, but it grows more lushly in moist soil. Its soil is listed as well drained and moist, so the pot should be porous with plenty of organic matter to give both adequate moisture and excellent drainage.

• Water: Dry to medium¹

Best soil for a Parlor Palm

Soil for this plant should be well drained and moist. The mix must be porous. It needs plenty of organic matter to ensure both adequate moisture and excellent drainage. Dry soil is tolerated for short periods, but the plant grows more lushly in moist soil. Maintain soil pH between 6 and 6.5. The soil facts on this page are moist and well drained, with a pH of 6–6.5.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist³
• Soil pH: pH 6–6.5⁴

Temperature and humidity

The minimum winter temperature is 60.8 °F (16 °C). Indoors, keep the plant above that winter minimum. Parlor palm prefers high to moderate humidity but is adaptable. A second listing says it does well with low to medium humidity levels. Outdoors, it is listed for USDA zones 10a to 12b. That hardiness range spans six half-zones, from 10a up to 12b.

• Minimum temperature: 60.8 °F (16 °C)³
• Humidity: Average³

Fertilizing a Parlor Palm

A light feeding schedule suits this palm, at about once a year. Use a liquid fertilizer diluted to one-third of the recommended rate. Apply it during the growing season. At one-third strength, the fertilizer is diluted well below the full rate.

• Fertilizer: Light, once a year²

Pruning a Parlor Palm

Pruning is limited to removing dead growth. Trim off dead leaves only when they are brown and crispy. Wait until a leaf is brown and crispy before you trim it. Dead growth is the only thing the listing says to remove.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only²

Repotting a Parlor Palm

Repotting every 2 to 3 years may be needed. The reason given is to refresh the potting mix, at the least. The interval is a range, from a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 3 years. When you refresh the potting mix, choose one that is well drained and moist.

• Repotting: Every 2–3 years⁵

How to propagate a Parlor Palm

Propagation is by seed. Most palms are propagated from seed, and this palm is recorded with seed only. No cited fact records cuttings or division for this palm. Seed is the one method listed. Its flowers are small and range from light yellow to orange-red. That makes seed the method to look for when you want more plants.

• Propagation: Seed³

Common problems

Potential insect problems include red spider mites and mealybugs. Other pests listed include banded greenhouse thrips, greenhouse thrips, fern scale and root mealybugs. The pest list also names Aleurothrixus trachoides, Brevipalpus hondurani and Euwallacea fornicatus. Tomato spotted wilt virus is the disease listed for this palm.

• Common pests: spider mites, mealybugs, banded greenhouse thrips, greenhouse thrips, fern scale, root mealybugs, aleurothrixus trachoides, brevipalpus hondurani, euwallacea fornicatus, opogona sacchari, paraleyrodes minei, radopholus similis and rhynchophorus palmarum¹
• Common diseases: tomato spotted wilt virus⁶

Questions and answers

Is parlor palm toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. NC State Extension says it is not hazardous for pets. Both positions are recorded separately for each animal.

How much light does a parlor palm need?

It needs bright, indirect light indoors. It can also tolerate low-light conditions, and very low light is listed as tolerated. Outdoors it prefers part shade.

How often should I repot a parlor palm?

Repotting every 2 to 3 years may be needed. The purpose is, at the least, to refresh the potting mix. Use soil that is well drained and moist.