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Parlor Palm

Plant care guide

How to care for Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Care level: EasyNon-toxic to cats & dogs

The parlor palm is a classic, graceful palm with soft, feathery fronds that has been a favorite indoor plant for over a century. It handles lower light and indoor conditions well, which makes it one of the easiest palms to keep happy.

Also known as: Parlor palm, parlour palm, Neanthe bella palm, good luck palm, Chamaedorea elegans, palm variety pack

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox it right away and gently fan the fronds back out if they were bundled for shipping.
  2. Check the soil; water thoroughly if the top inch is dry, and wait if it is still damp.
  3. Place it in medium, indirect light, such as a few feet from an east or north window.
  4. A yellow or brown frond tip from shipping is normal; trim brown tips with clean scissors, following the leaf shape.
  5. Keep it away from heat vents, radiators, and cold drafts.
  6. Parlor palms often come with several stems per pot; leave them together and wait at least two weeks before repotting.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Medium to low indirect light is ideal, such as near a north window or a few feet back from an east window. It tolerates lower light corners better than most palms, though it grows more slowly there. Direct sun yellows and scorches the fronds.

Water

Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks depending on light and season. Water thoroughly and let excess drain away; never leave it sitting in a saucer of water. Brown, crispy tips suggest dry soil or dry air; yellowing fronds and soggy soil mean overwatering.

Humidity

It does fine in average household humidity but looks best with 40 to 50 percent or more. Brown leaf tips are often a sign of dry winter air, so a pebble tray or humidifier helps. Grouping it with other plants also raises local humidity.

Temperature

Keep it between 65 and 80 F, and above about 55 F. Avoid cold drafts from doors and windows in winter and blasts of hot air from heaters.

Soil & repotting

Use a well-draining potting mix; regular indoor potting soil with some perlite works well. Parlor palms like a snug pot and have sensitive roots, so repot only every two to three years in spring, moving up one size. Do not try to separate the stems, as the roots dislike being disturbed.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter. Overfeeding causes brown tips and salt buildup in the soil.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Brown frond tipsdry air, dry soil, or tap water minerals; raise humidity and try filtered or rain water.
  • Yellow lower frondsnatural aging if only a few; many yellow fronds suggest overwatering.
  • Pale, scorched frondsdirect sunlight; move it farther from the window.
  • Fine webbing and speckled frondsspider mites, common in dry air; rinse the plant in the shower and raise humidity.
  • Drooping stemssevere underwatering or root rot; check the soil and roots.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Rinse the fronds in the shower every month or two to remove dust and discourage spider mites.
  • Rotate it every couple of weeks so it grows evenly toward the light.
  • Parlor palms grow slowly and stay compact, making them great for desks and tabletops for years.
  • Trim brown tips at an angle to keep the natural pointed look of each leaflet.

Pet safety

Parlor Palm is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. As with any houseplant, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves, which can cause a mild upset stomach.

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