SAS Interiors
  • Nederlands
No Result
View All Result
  • Houseplants
    • Houseplants
    • Propagation
  • Home interior design
  • Garden & Gardening
    • Garden & Gardening
    • Outdoor plants
    • Outdoor furniture
  • About us
  • Contact
SAS Interiors
No Result
View All Result

How to care for Parlor palm

by Danique
7 February 2021
in Houseplant care, Houseplants, Plant care

Parlor palm is a small palm tree (scientific name: Chamaedorea Elegans) that belongs to the family Arecaceae. Typically found in the tropical and subtropical regions, it’s native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala rainforests. Palm has 2600 species, small palm trees also include Pygmy date palm, Bottle palm, Sago palm, Spindle’s palm, but Parlor palm is the most heavily sold small palm tree houseplant. 

Parlor palm is a single-trunk palm with slightly arched narrow and slender pinnate leaves of rich green color. It can attain a height of 4-8 feet and a width of 1-3 feet, depending upon conditions. It may bear yellowish flowers in the blooming season. Commonly desktop specimens can grow to a maximum height of 1-2 feet. This makes them appropriate for the kitchen and bathroom countertops.

Sunlight

Parlor palm is considered a low-light palm and generally requires low light to sustain. For best growth, medium-bright indirect light is recommended. Placing them near a window with a filtered light is ideal. They can even grow in fluorescent light, but it’s not advised. Direct and intense sunlight will cause brown spots on the leaves, and no light will cause the plant to die. It’s a long-living and slow-growing plant.

Watering

Watering completely depends upon conditions. In brighter areas, it requires more water, and in low light areas, lesser water. It should be watered sparingly indoors because under-watering is better than overwatering as it can cause root rot. The general ruling is to water the palm when the upper layer of soil dries out, and once every 2-3 weeks is ideal.

Temperature

It can grow well at room temperature ranging from 15°C – 30°C. If one is comfortable, this small tree is also comfortable. Parlor palm can endure further warm temperatures, but it’s prone to a cooler environment. It’s advised not to place it near windows, vents, or doors with cold drafts to protect it from damage. Room temperature is optimum for ideal growth.

Humidity

Native to rainforests, Parlor palms are used to thriving normal-higher levels of humidity. One has to be careful with humidity levels because it can cause issues in leaves. Excessive cold and intensive dry spells can cause the burning of leaf-tips. Therefore, it’s recommended to keep a check on the humidity level with a mist, humidifier, or pebble-tray.

Plant Nutrition

An organic peat moss soil mixture is fertile enough for Parlor palm to transpire nutrients. It has simple requirements as a 20-20-20 weak liquified fertilizer feed is sufficient for ideal growth. It’s advised to feed a small dosage twice per active growth season and halt it all together during inactive growth months because excessive feeding will cause foliage burn.

Toxicity

Parlor palm is a non-toxic houseplant. If ingested, there’s no probable harm for children and pets. However, sometimes it grows berries on its trunk that can be poisonous. It will cause an itching allergy if these are touched. If one notices these growing berries, it’s advised to remove them using gloves instantly to prevent any fatal issue.

Air-Purifying

It’s an outstanding air-purifier and is known to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly benzene and trichloroethylene. These VOCs are found in everyday items such as paper, carpets, electronics, and furniture. Parlor palm is extremely useful in removing air pollutants and regulating humidity.

Repotting

Parlor palm is a slow-growing plant. Generally, it’s repotted every other year. Due consideration should be given to the size of the pot. The pot should be drainable and should be potted at the same depth as it was in the previous pot, otherwise, it would cause stress to the plant resulting in retarded growth.

Additional Care

Parlor palm is a plant of simple needs and requires necessary observation about light, temperature, watering, and humidity levels. One should be observant about soil conditions. It would help if you also avoided relocation as it exerts undue stress on the plant. Cold and hot drafts should also be avoided.

Common Issues

Following are the common issues,

  • Brown and crispy tips
  • Yellowing leaves and black stems
  • Root rot

Diseases

Following are the diseases of Parlor palm,

  • Pest attack ( spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects)
  • Fungal attack
  • Bacterial attack
  • Cankers

Final Thoughts

Parlor palm is an excellent small tree houseplant that’s moderately easier to keep indoors. Being a slow-grower, it doesn’t require much care. It’s a non-toxic mini purifier that not only purifies the air but also regulates humidity. Its desktop specimens add beauty to countertops and shelves. 

Related Posts

Grow lighting for indoor plants: how to choose?
Houseplants

Grow lighting for indoor plants: how to choose?

24 March 2022

Grow lighting for plants, you may already be familiar with it, but using the lighting itself is probably a different...

The 6 most beautiful large houseplants
Home interior design

The 6 most beautiful large houseplants

9 January 2022

1. Strelitzia A real jungle plant with very large leaves. The bigger the plant, the bigger the leaves. The leaves...

Propagation Palm plant
Plant care

Propagation Palm plant

18 August 2021

Palm plants are very easy by nature. Take an example from the Kentia palm. This plant belongs to the Araceae....

5 indoor shade plants
Home interior design

5 indoor shade plants

14 August 2021

Als je een woonkamer gaat inrichten is één van de belangrijkste aspecten de sfeer. Je wilt natuurlijk dat jouw huis...

How to care for Prayer plant (Maranta)
Houseplant care

How to care for Prayer plant (Maranta)

7 August 2021

Some of the most beautiful, profound plants you will find are prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura). These plants, native to the...

How to care for Peperomia
Houseplant care

How to care for Peperomia

6 August 2021

Peperomia is an attractive option for someone who is a first-time plant enthusiast. Also known as the radiator plant and...

Next Post
How to care for Peperomia Obtusifolia

How to care for Peperomia Obtusifolia

How to care for Haworthia

How to care for Haworthia

How to care for Homalomena Emerald Gem

How to care for Homalomena Emerald Gem

SAS Interiors

SAS Interiors is a home inspiration blog with an overdose of green. We love plants! At SAS Interiors you will find useful tips and inspiration for home, (business) interiors, plants and gardening. Do you share this passion as well? There is always room for extra knowledge on our blog.
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Blogs

© 2022 - SAS Interiors

No Result
View All Result
  • Houseplants
    • Houseplants
    • Propagation
  • Home interior design
  • Garden & Gardening
    • Garden & Gardening
    • Outdoor plants
    • Outdoor furniture
  • About us
  • Nederlands

© 2022 - SAS Interiors