Parlor Palms, also referred to as Neanthe Bella Palms, are a preferred and straightforward to look after houseplant. Recognized for his or her vibrant inexperienced tropical fronds, they’re newbie pleasant as they will tolerate decrease gentle circumstances and are additionally identified for his or her air-purifying skills. They’re fairly low upkeep and add a pretty contact of inexperienced to any area.
The Parlor Palm (botanical title Chamaedorea elegans) initially comes from Central America (native to the rainforests of southern Mexico and Guatemala), but it surely has change into a preferred indoor plant right here in the USA. They will develop as much as 6 toes indoors and reside for many years in a home as an indoor tree, and when thriving exterior, can develop as much as a mature dimension of 16 toes tall.
Whereas these evergreen vegetation usually are not true lilies (from the Spathiphyllum species), most peace lilies can develop to be between 1-4′ large and are available from the tropical areas of Central and South America. They’re a member of the Araceae household and so long as they get sufficient gentle, they are going to produce elegant white blooms beginning within the early summer season and should proceed to bloom all year long.
These tropical vegetation usually are not comfortable within the chilly, to allow them to solely be grown exterior in a hotter and extra humid local weather like in USDA Zones 10-12. We’ll present you the way to maintain these in style indoor palms pleased with the appropriate local weather and care.
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Why are they known as Parlor Palms?
Parlor Palms had been first popularized within the Victorian period and get their title from their smaller dimension as a result of when grown indoors they will match into your “parlor” (a elaborate old-time title for a dwelling or sitting room) higher than a bigger tropical selection. They’ve skinny trunks that develop grouped collectively filled with delicate inexperienced fronds that create a gorgeous lush foliage and are probably the greatest sorts of palms for newbies.


How usually ought to I water Parlor Palm vegetation?
You’ll wish to give your Parlor Palm a superb full drink if you do water it, however let it dry out in between waterings. You may stick your finger within the prime inch of soil to verify how damp the soil is and wait till it feels principally dry earlier than watering once more (attempt each 1-2 weeks to begin and see in case your plant responds nicely to that). Parlor Palms get pleasure from moist soil however are prone to root rot from overwatering, so make certain the planter you employ has drainage holes to launch extra water and don’t let the plant sit in standing water if there’s water within the draining tray. Utilizing a well-draining potting combine is also essential in guiding further water away from the roots.
Below watering may also impact Parlor Palm foliage, so control the leaves as they are going to begin to wither when it wants some water. So in case your plant fronds begin shriveling a couple of week after watering, you then’ll begin to get an concept of how usually to water. You’ll must water extra usually in case your plant is close to brighter gentle circumstances, and fewer in decrease gentle spots.
Parlor Palms are delicate to faucet water, so if you happen to can’t use distilled, filtered, or rainwater, then let your faucet water sit out in a single day and that may permit the chlorine to dissipate.
How a lot daylight do Parlor Palms want?
Whereas they’re thought-about to be a “low gentle plant,” the Parlor Palm’s pure habitat supplies dappled gentle that’s filtered by the rainforest cover of bushes. Whereas Parlor Palms get pleasure from medium to brilliant oblique daylight, they’re a superb plant to decide on for low gentle areas as they will additionally do nicely in low oblique gentle (solar publicity from a north-facing window might be excellent.)
You’ll additionally wish to mud your fronds often as an excessive amount of mud on the plant’s leaves can inhibit photosynthesis. Rotate the plant once in a while as nicely so the plant’s form grows evenly and verify the underside for pests. Keep away from direct daylight on the plant as that may scorch their leaves.
Ought to I fertilize Parlor Palms?
Parlor Palms don’t want a lot fertilizer, however you should use a slow-release fertilizer utilized sparingly at a a lot smaller dose than instructed to fertilize by the rising season (spring and summer season) each different month.
Skip feeding your plant in the course of the fall and winter months.


Potting and Repotting Parlor Palm vegetation
Parlor Palms are a gradual rising selection, so if you happen to repot right into a barely bigger pot each two years, you shouldn’t have points with the plant turning into root sure.
Select a pot that’s solely about 2″ greater than the present dimension as too massive a pot will maintain an excessive amount of moisture for the plant and promote root rot. Whereas it’s finest to re-pot in the course of the rising months of the 12 months (spring and summer season), repotting might be performed at any time of the 12 months. You’ll need an acidic to impartial good soil that mixes drainage and moisture retention or you should purchase extra all-purpose potting soil and add in some peat moss, sand, or perlite for further drainage.
Temperature and humidity for Parlor Palms
Very best indoor temperatures for Parlor Palms are between 65°F and 75°F and also you’ll wish to maintain them away from vents and chilly drafts from doorways or home windows. When you maintain a potted plant exterior, make certain to deliver it in as soon as temperatures dip into the 50°s.
Being a tropical plant, peace lilies get pleasure from medium humidity ranges, though they will often thrive with common humidity in a house. If you wish to elevate the humidity in your house, you should use a humidifier close by or place the plant on prime of gravel on a tray after which pour some water into the gravel (which is able to create humidity across the plant because it evaporates). Simply make certain the water degree is beneath the gravel so the plant shouldn’t be sitting instantly in water.
Crops that get pleasure from humidity often are comfortable in a rest room so long as there’s enough gentle within the area.


Pruning Parlor Palms
Parlor Palms are gradual growers, and whilst you can reduce off fronds which have dried out or turned yellow or brown, it’s not essential to prune your Parlor Palm.
Propagating Parlor Palms
Whereas there are many vegetation than might be propagated (see this plant propagation publish for extra particulars), the Parlor Palm is definitely not one which we suggest you propagate at residence. The vegetation are grown in clumps for aesthetic causes however don’t develop that manner in nature. Division of the roots into two vegetation will put the plant beneath a whole lot of stress that it might not survive, they usually can’t be grown for a stem or leaf slicing.
As they’re typically propagated from seed by professionals, it’s advisable to easily purchase a brand new plant if you wish to add extra Parlor Palms to your private home.
If you wish to give division a attempt together with your Parlor Palm and hope for the perfect, you’ll be able to comply with these steps beneath:
- Gently take away the Parlor Plant from its pot.
- Use a sterile slicing instrument to chop the foundation ball in half, ensuring both sides has wholesome trying roots.
- Plant every part right into a pot just a bit greater than the plant with recent potting soil to fill in gaps.
- Water as wanted ensuring to let soil dry out between waterings and place in brilliant oblique gentle between 65°F and 75°F till roots are established.


Frequent forms of Parlor Palms:
‘Chamaedorea elegans ‘Bella’‘: The preferred indoor selection, dense, vibrant inexperienced fronds develop from skinny arched stems and clusters of tiny yellow flowers can seem after years of progress.
‘Chamaedorea erumpens’: Native to Guatemala and Honduras, this can be a bamboo palm with easy inexperienced leaves than can develop as much as 8 really feel tall.
‘C. hooperiana’: This selection is a big genus of Central and South American palms and has massive dramatic leaves and is a a lot quicker grower.
Diagnosing frequent issues
- Brown leaf suggestions: Brown leaves may very well be from beneath watering, so be sure that your prime inch of soil is simply drying out earlier than watering once more. Your suggestions may also brown from low humidity, so attempt a humidifier or a tray of pebbles and water beneath your plant base.
- Yellow leaves: Often an indication of overwatering however may also occur from lack of sufficient gentle. Examine your watering schedule and soil dampness to see if watering is the trigger or transfer to a spot with extra oblique brilliant gentle your private home.
- Pests: Small pests like spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, whitefly, and scale might be frequent pests for Parlor Palms, however you’ll be able to wipe off the leaves with gentle cleaning soap and water after which spray with an insecticidal cleaning soap to maintain bugs away. Pink spider mites or mealy bugs can first be dislodged with a humid fabric if caught early.
- Fungal Infections: Plant ailments like fungal leaf spots can happen from root rot and overwatering, so if you happen to spot fungal progress, take away the affected leaves.
- Stem Cankers: As these are difficult to deal with, you’ll be able to attempt to prune off affected areas, but it surely’s attainable that the plant received’t have the ability to bounce again.
Continuously Requested Questions
Are Parlor Palms poisonous to pets or children?
No! Fortunately, the parlor palm is unhazardous to pets and people. Whereas it’s unhazardous, if eaten in massive portions, ingestion could cause some abdomen upset, so nibbling on the plant ought to nonetheless be averted.
Do Parlor Palms clear the air?
Sure, Parlor Palms have air-purifying qualities and they’re on on NASA’s listing of prime air-cleaning vegetation as a result of they take away formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air.