Parlor Palm

Parlor Palm care is an easy Palm to grow and care for. If you are looking for a plant with a tropical vibe, a Palm is certainly the way to go and a Chamaedorea Elegans may be the plant you are looking for!

Scientific Name: Chamaedorea Elegans

Common Name: Parlor Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm

To give this Palm plant the best care, it requires well-draining soil, water the plant when the top inch of the soil is dry, provide it with bright indirect sunlight, temperatures ranging from 60-80F, and average humidity levels.

Quick Care Overview

Common NameParlor Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm
Scientific NameChamaedorea Elegans
FamilyArecaceae
OriginCentral America
Growth RateSlow
IdentificationGreen arching pinnate foliage with narrow leaflets
HeightUp to 6 feet tall
SoilWell-draining soil
WaterWater when top inch of soil is dry
Temperature60-80F
SunlightBright indirect sunlight
Toxic to Cats & DogsNo
Toxic to HumansNo
PestsScale, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats
DiseasesRoot rot, leaf spot

Below we will dive deep into this Parlor Palm care guide.

Parlor Palm Care

Parlor Palm History

Central America native, Chamaedorea Elegans, otherwise known as the Parlor Palm or Neanthe Bella Palm, is a gorgeous, popular indoor palm with a clumping growth habit. This slow-growing plant often has its fronds featured in Palm Sunday decorations and wreaths, and its foliage is often popularly used in floral arrangements. Foliage may look aesthetically pleasing after being cut for up to two months. 

Parlor Palm Identification

The Neanthe Bella Palm has a compact growth habit with sizeable green arching pinnate foliage comprised of narrow leaflets. This palm may bloom if it receives enough light, bearing clusters of small yellow blooms. 

Parlor Palm Growth Facts

This Palm may grow up to 16 feet tall in its natural habitat. Though it may be found as a single-trunked palm, its natural growth habit, Chamaedorea Elegans is most often featured as a multi-trunked palm grown in a decorative container. 

How Big Does a Parlor Palm Get?

The Parlor Palm will grow up to 6 feet tall when grown indoors. However, you can find small plant babies that stay small and may reach only to around one foot in height.

Parlor Palm Care

Chamaedorea Elegans are perfect for beginners and will tolerate lower temperatures and lower light conditions. Just be sure to keep in mind that this plant is very susceptible to overwatering. 

Parlor Palm Soil

Your Parlor Palm will do well in a well-draining quality commercial potting soil. Just ensure that the growing medium for your Palm is well-draining. You may increase the drainage capacity of your growing medium by incorporating handfuls of perlite. Also, ensure that you select a container with ample drainage holes. 

Parlor Palm Fertilizer

Your Neanthe Bella Palm will benefit from a feeding from a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Ensure that you follow all label instructions and do not overfeed. Parlor palms are considered light feeders and will not require fertilization during the fall or winter. Overfeeding may lead to permanent damage due to chemical burn. 

Parlor Palm Watering

Chamaedorea Palm is sensitive to overwatering and should never be kept in oversaturated soil or standing water. Rewater your Parlor Palm after the top inch of soil is dry. Yellowing fronds indicate that your Bella Palm is not receiving enough water. 

Parlor Palm Light Requirements

The Parlor Palm will do best in bright filtered sunlight. A south or west-facing window will be perfect for this plant. Keep in mind, however, that too intense of direct sunlight will lead to foliage scorching. 

Parlor Palm Temperature & Humidity

Your Chamaedorea Elegans will do fine if kept at average indoor temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While this Palm will tolerate temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it will not prefer being exposed to these temperatures and will die with frost. Additionally, your parlor palm will not like being exposed to large fluctuations in temperature, and as such, you should keep your parlor palm away from drafts, cold windows, vents, AC units, and heaters. The Parlor Palm will tolerate average indoor humidity. 

Repotting Parlor Palm

As Neanthe Bella Palms are very slow growing, they will only need to be repotted every 2-3 years. Select a container 2 inches larger than the previous container, repot your plant, refresh the soil, tamp lightly, water thoroughly, and place in indirect light. 

Parlor Palm Maintenance & Pruning

Your Parlor Palm will not require regular pruning. Instead, periodically remove any discolored, diseased, or dead frond using sharp, clean shears. 

Caring for Parlor Chamaedorea Elegans Palm

Parlor Palm Propagation

Propagation of the Parlor Palm is very difficult but not impossible and is almost always left to professional growers. The Parlor Palm can only be propagated by division or by seed. Leaf or stem cuttings will not work as a propagation method for this Palm. If you are looking for a new Neanthe Bella Palm, then you may want to consider purchasing another one.

Parlor Palm Toxicity

Toxicity to Humans

Parlor Palms are not considered toxic to humans. However, it is not considered edible, so do not consume this plant. 

Toxicity to Cats & Dogs

Parlor palms are not considered toxic to pets and are safe to keep around your cat or dog. However, avoid allowing your pet to ingest this plant, as it may cause harm to your plant and digestive upset to your cat or dog. 

Chamaedorea Elegans Palm Care

Parlor Palm Problems

Parlor Palm Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing foliage of the Chamaedorea Elegans may be due to lack of nutrients, lack of sunlight, overwatering, underwatering, or temperature fluctuations. 

Parlor Palm Leaves Turning Brown

When it comes to the browning foliage of the Parlor Palm, it is likely due to a lack of moisture from humidity or not enough water, or too much direct sunlight. 

Parlor Palm Diseases

While not particularly prone to plant diseases, the Parlor Palm may suffer issues related to overwatering, such as root rot or leaf spot. Therefore, ensure that you do not overwater your plant or allow it to sit in standing water within the plant container’s drainage tray. 

Parlor Palm Pests

The Neanthe Bella Palm may become susceptible to indoor houseplant pests such as scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and more. Periodically inspect your plant for signs of infestation. Upon identification of infestation, isolate your plant, and treat it with a pesticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap. 

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