With the addition of a Parlor Palm, it has never been simpler to bring the tropics indoors (Chamaedorea elegans). Parlor Palms thrive inside where many other varieties of palms struggle to do so and are regarded as durable, low-maintenance houseplants. Here is a brief overview of their care.
How to Take Care of a Parlor Palm: Grow your parlour palm in rich, well-drained soil, and water it when the top few inches of the soil become dry. Maintain indoor temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, produce above-average humidity, fertilise every three to four weeks, and place in bright, indirect light.
How frequently should a Parlor Palm be watered?
Here is a quick overview on what Parlor Palm plants require, along with some advice on how to maintain their health.
Can tolerate low indirect light and thrive in medium to bright indirect light. Unsuitable for direct, hot sunlight. Find out more about these lighting needs.
Water once every two to three weeks, letting the soil dry up in between applications. In brighter light, water more frequently, and in less-bright light, less frequently. Here are some further advice on watering plants.
65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer at home, up to 85 degrees. The Parlor Palm is comfy if you’re comfortable.
How is a Parlour Palm maintained in good health?
Parlour palms can tolerate some shade but thrive in direct, strong light. Keep away from draughts and direct sunlight, which will scorch the leaves. Parlour palms require a warm environment, ideally between 18 and 24 °C, with a minimum of 10 °C.
How to plant a parlour palm
In a container with drainage holes, plant your parlour palm in a mixture of soil-based and peat-free multipurpose compost. Only repot parlour palms when they are rootbound (you can tell when this is the case because roots are emerging out of the pot’s bottom). Only repot in the spring, but into a little bigger pot. This may only need to be done every three years.
Caring for a parlour palm
In warm weather, this may happen rather frequently when the top few centimetres of compost have become dry. Make sure the compost is evenly moist but not drenched, and allow any extra moisture to drain away. Wintertime irrigation is reduced, keeping the soil slightly damp.
The leaf tips of parlour palms can turn brown in dry air, yet they can endure it. To avoid this, mist a few times per week.
any brown fronds at the base, remove them.
These occasionally die off, which is expected. Feed with a mild liquid fertiliser once every month in the spring and summer.
Periodically wipe the leaves to remove dust. Your plant can be quickly fixed by being placed under a gentle shower, or even better, by being placed outside during a summer downpour.
How to propagate a parlour palm
The best method of parlour palm propagation is through division. You might notice that a stem at the edge naturally breaks away when you repot the plant in the spring. A sharp knife can also be used to cut a stem or clump away. Ensure that some roots are present. Replant in a new container with potting compost.
If your plant has bloomed and produced fruits, you could try planting the seeds after letting the fruits dry out. You’ll need a heated propagator because they require a temperature of 27C to grow.
Growing parlour palm: problem solving
Parlour palms frequently have brown leaf tips. The very dry air is the main cause. Additionally, the plant might not have had enough water or it might be too chilly. Cutting into green growth will just result in the creation of new brown points, so only the brown tips should be removed.
Lower leaves that have aged naturally develop yellowing leaves. If your parlour palm has many yellow leaves, the plant may be receiving too much direct sunlight. The cause can potentially be under-watering.
Brown fronds at the base are typical; simply remove them. Brown leaves on a large scale may be a sign of overwatering because parlour palms dislike being in cold, damp compost.
Sunburn could be the source of brown patches. Remove your plant from the sun’s direct rays.
Lack of humidity may be the cause of dull, dull leaves that have lost their sheen. Misting is beneficial.
Areca palms may be harmed by red spider mite. Fine webbing will cover the plant’s leaves and stems, and the upper surface of the leaf will start to mottle. With a magnifying glass and close inspection, you may find mites and eggs on the undersides of the leaves. Improved airflow increases humidity. Use sprays with fatty acids or plant oils as an alternative.
Mealybugs could be an issue.
Watch out for insects on the undersides of leaves that resemble white, fluffy blobs. Use a cotton bud or moist towel dipped in a pesticide containing fatty acids or plant oils to wipe them off. Keep inspecting the leaves since mealybugs can be challenging to get rid of.
Scale insects, which are tiny, 6mm long, brown sap sucking insects, may also be seen. Wipe off as with a cotton bud or cloth saturated with a pesticide containing fatty acids.
Does the Parlor Palm require light?
Although these are regarded as low-light plants, they do not require “no light.” The ideal light for parlour palms is direct, filtered sunshine. They frequently thrive under northern exposure.
Tip 1: Not too dark
Although Parlor Palms are regarded as low-light palms, this does not imply “no-light.” Although they prefer bright, filtered light, they can adapt to low light conditions rather well.
Tip 2: Just the right amount of water
Your Parlor Palm prefers to be well-watered before being given some time to dry out. Avoid overwatering it! Less regularly water throughout the winter. Overwatering is frequently indicated by brown leaf tips, while yellow fronds signal that the plant might use a little more water.
Tip 3: Lots of humidity
Extra humidity is beneficial for your Parlor Palm, especially throughout the winter. Mist your plant three to four times per week to keep it clear of dust, which will deter spider mites from attacking it.
Tip 4: Give it a hair cut
Sharp scissors should be used to quickly remove only the brown or yellow leaves as soon as they appear. This helps your plant maintain a healthy appearance and frees up energy for new growth.
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Should I trim the Parlour Palm’s dark leaves?
Pruning requirements for your Parlour Palm are really minimal. Parlour Palms, like the majority of palm trees, self-clean, thus their old fronds naturally turn fully brown and fall off the plant on their own.
However, you can occasionally trim your plant to keep it looking good. By quickly removing the brown and yellow leaves with a pair of sharp scissors, you can encourage the plant to focus more of its energy on developing new growth.
How can I tell if my parlour palm needs watering?
Unbelievably, overwatering rather than underwatering is a more frequent cause of your Parlor Palm drooping. The cause of everything is root rot, which develops as a result of a plant being consistently overwatered. Your Parlor Palm’s roots will be starved of oxygen and susceptible to opportunistic infections if it is kept in perpetually moist, mucky soil.
An overwatered plant’s foliage will initially begin to turn yellow. This frequently starts in the lower leaves and progresses up the plant, eventually affecting the whole thing. Even when the soil is wet, once the roots begin to wither, they are no longer able to supply the plant with water, and the plant begins to experience drought conditions. Your Parlor Palm’s fronds will begin to wilt and will appear as though it wants a drink badly.
Examine your plant carefully because it usually has yellow, drooping foliage instead of the widespread brown, crispy leaves that you might anticipate from a plant that has been submerged. You might smell root rot, which has an unpleasant stench, and the soil will be damp.
Overwatering is a problem that is not just brought on by excessive watering but also by other elements that lengthen the time soil remains wet. It can take a long time for soil to dry up between waterings if you plant a little plant in a large pot, use soil that doesn’t drain well, or use a pot without drainage holes.
This makes it more likely that your Parlor Palm’s roots will spend a long time in moist, inadequately oxygenated soil, which will cause root rot.
Early detection and prompt action are required to solve this issue. You may cure your overwatered plant or treat root rot by following these procedures.
Plant your Parlor Palm in soil that drains well. A fantastic alternative is a blend of 60% peat, 30% perlite, and 10% compost. Make sure the container has plenty of drainage holes and select one that is only a few inches broader than the plant.
My parlour palm can I place outside?
When roots start wrapping around the outside of the root ball, prepare to repot the parlour palm. Every few months, remove the plant from its container to inspect the roots. Repot plants when necessary in a pot with a 2–3-inch–larger diameter than the previous one. Add an all-purpose fertiliser on occasion, but only in the spring and summer.
In the summer, parlour palms can be relocated outside. They should be shielded from the sun, as it will burn the foliage. In hot, dry weather, pick a sheltered outdoor spot and water frequently. When nighttime temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, bring your plant back inside.
My parlour palm is dying; why?
Lots of direct, bright light is preferred by indoor palms. If your location doesn’t have enough light, go with the more adaptive varieties because inadequate lighting is a major contributor to stress. Remember that even animals that can endure lower light levels typically value more.
The brilliance of the sun, however, rapidly decreases with distance. While a skylight over a tall plant can be fantastic, it is insufficient for shorter plants that are much farther away. Over the winter, be aware of the changing seasons and dimming conditions; if necessary, add a grow light.
How can I speed up the growth of my parlour palm?
One of the smallest members of the palm family, Chamaedorea elegans, is native to Mexico and is frequently referred to as Neanthe bella in nurseries. Due to its small size, it is well suited to a potted indoor environment. This type of palm blends in well with most interior decor styles and gives any setting a sense of elegance. Chamaedorea elegans, also referred to as the parlour palm, has been a common houseplant since the Victorian era.
When planted under ideal conditions, the parlour palm can grow to a height of more than three feet. A mature palm can survive for decades if properly cared for, although it takes the plant a few years to reach its full potential. When exposed to more sunlight, the parlour palm develops a little more quickly.
The palm’s delicate, beautiful fronds spread out in emerald-green arches that can bear their own weight. For aesthetic reasons, palms are frequently cultivated in clumps and clusters. If you provide your plant the best circumstances for growth, you might be lucky enough to see branching yellow blossoms emerge once the palm reaches maturity. Avoid attempting to save or sow flower seeds as they are rarely viable.
The parlour palm is not only a lovely addition to any home, but it may also aid to filter the air in your immediate vicinity. Parlor palms can purge the air of potentially dangerous contaminants, according to NASA studies, making your house safer for you and your family.
Drooping Parlor palm
The most likely causes of your Parlor palm drooping are underwatering or overwatering. Check the soil’s moisture content to find out which of the two is the main issue. You might be overwatering your Parlor palm if the soil is still wet. If the soil is dry, on the other hand, it’s time to water your Parlor palm.
Root rot will probably start to appear if your Parlor palm is routinely overwatered. This occurs when your Parlor palm’s roots cannot receive adequate oxygen. This can be easily avoided by waiting until the soil is entirely dry before you water your palm once again.
Yellow and/or light green leaves
Too much sunshine exposure frequently results in yellow and/or light green foliage. It can also be the result of poor irrigation. You will also notice your plant’s drooping leaves if there is a watering problem. You must relocate your plant to a more dimly lit area if you have non-drooping leaves that are yellow or light green.
Black spots on your Parlor palm
You must swiftly relocate your Parlor palm plant to a darker location once you notice black spots on the tops of its leaves. These dark marks are sunburns brought on by exposure to the sun. Trim these dark areas to replenish the nutrients in your plant. No longer will these spots change back to green.
Brown tips on your Parlor palm
The tips of your Parlor palm’s leaves will turn brown if you’ve allowed it to dry out for too long. Water your Parlor palm immediately if you notice this happening. The brown tips can be cut off because they won’t turn green again.
I appreciate you reading this. I hope it will help you maintain healthy and attractive plants! You may always request a plant guide or donate a plant to acquire a guide for the plant you need if you’re looking for more information on a certain type of plant.