Parlor Palms are among the most popular palms for indoor growing and are also known as Chamaedorea elegans or Neanthe Bella Palms. They are native to the subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, and are known for their air-purifying qualities.
Parlor palm’s distinctive name comes from the Victorian era, when it was placed in the parlours for an exotic effect. They make ideal houseplants because they are easy to maintain and grow rather slowly. Grown as a houseplant since Victorian times, this plant has become popular for its reliability and adaptability to indoor conditions. This article further explores care and maintenance surrounding parlor palms.
What Are Parlor Palms?
Parlor palms belong to the Arecaceae family, which is well-known for its houseplants with lush, light-green leaves. They are small and compact when grown indoors, usually reaching about 1.5 meters in height. This palm is often mistaken for another popular palm variety, the Areca palm, due to their similar appearance. However, the parlor palm has its own unique, delicate, feathery fronds that make it a statement decorative plant as well.
In addition, they are known for attracting positive energy, vitality, and good fortune into living spaces. These palms are known to bring inner peace and calmness in one’s life. Most importantly, they are non-toxic, thereby posing no threat to pets in the home.
This makes parlor palms ideal for new indoor gardeners. Once it settles into a stable environment indoors, it can live for decades without requiring much attention or maintenance.
How to Care for Parlor Palms?
Here are a few care requirements that gardeners should be aware of to support the healthy growth of parlor palms.
Light Requirements
One important thing to know about parlor palms is that they grow well in low light. However, gardeners often mistake this for a lack of light, assuming the plant can survive with little to no light. This is a misunderstanding, and parlor palms indeed require light to grow properly.
They adjust quite well to low-light areas, but ideally, they prefer bright, filtered light. When the weather is warm, they can also be placed outdoors. But it is very important to get the placement right, because leaving them in direct sunlight for too long can scorch their delicate fronds. When placed indoors, they grow best in a north-facing window, as light from that direction benefits their growth significantly.
Soil Requirements
For indoor growing, the parlor palm does well in any good-quality peat-based potting mix, but they adapt well to different soil types when grown outdoors. They grow successfully in sandy, loamy, or clay soil without any issue. The only exception is salty soil, which parlor palms may not tolerate well.
Water Requirements
It is usually the case that overwatering kills more parlor palms than underwatering. Indoor plants generally dislike sitting in constantly soggy soil. To keep the plant thriving, water it thoroughly and let the soil dry a bit between waterings. If watered frequently, the soil becomes too soggy, which may lead to root rot. The entire plant will be at risk once root rot develops.
During winter months, it is best to reduce watering, as the soil dries much more slowly. The parlor palm shows brown leaf tips when it receives too much water, while yellow fronds indicate that it needs more water.
How to Water Your Parlor Palm?
-
Avoid using cold water, which can shock the roots and lead to root damage. This also causes leaves to drop, along with other problems. It is best to use room temperature or slightly warm water instead.
-
If the water contains high levels of chemicals, it is best to let it sit overnight before using it on the plants.
-
Rainwater or distilled water works best because it has a lower pH level. Plants watered this way show greener, healthier foliage.
-
It is better if the pots have drainage holes in the bottom. Not having proper drainage can lead to water accumulation, which will cause root rot.
Humidity
The parlor palm is native to rainforests of Southern Mexico and Guatemala, where humidity is high and consistent. To help the plant thrive indoors, it is important to recreate its natural growing conditions. When humidity drops too low, the palm responds by developing brown tips on its leaves.
How to Maintain the Right Humidity?
-
It is important to spray the leaves with a fine mist of water 3 to 4 times per week. This also helps prevent spider mites from attacking the plant, as the misting process keeps it dust-free. It is best to use rainwater for misting as it does not contain chemicals or lime. Additionally, make sure the water is warm before spraying.
-
It is helpful to use a humidifier, especially during winter. It adds extra humidity to the plants.
-
Pebble trays also help in maintaining the right humidity. After watering, the water drains through the bottom drain holes and collects in the tray. It gradually evaporates, creating a humid microclimate around the plant.
-
Bathrooms often make ideal locations for parlor palms. They can be placed in the bathroom if it has adequate light, as it can create a natural, humid environment. Among all the spaces in the house, bathrooms usually have a high humidity level. The palm can even enjoy an occasional lukewarm shower of about 30 seconds, which helps with the moisture.
-
Make sure to avoid hot spots and draughts. They should be kept away from radiators, doorways, and corridors.
Temperature
Parlor palms thrive in indoor temperatures between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius. The plant may not tolerate temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius. Sudden drops in temperature and exposure to cold drafts can cause brown spots to appear on the leaves.
Fertilizer Needs
These plants are light feeders, so they do not require heavy feeding to stay healthy. During the growing season, feed the parlor palm with weak liquid fertilizer just once or twice. It is best to stop fertilizing altogether during the winter season.
Pruning Requirements
Parlor Palm requires very low pruning to maintain its growth. These palms are self-cleaning plants like every other palm tree. Their old fronds naturally turn brown and fall off the plant on their own, without any help.
To maintain good health and appearance, it is best to prune occasionally. Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut the brown and yellow leaves as and when they appear. This promotes good growth for the parlor palm.
Potting and Repotting
Parlor palms have slow growth and a weak root system, which necessitates repotting with extreme care. Repotting should be done in a container no more than two inches wider than the previous pot.
This plant does not require frequent repotting, as it mostly stays the same size, so repotting every other year is sufficient. It is better to repot the plant in case the potting medium breaks down and becomes muddy and spongy. This helps prevent root rot.
Common Pests and Diseases
They are susceptible to pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and whiteflies. It is best for the plant’s health to identify infestation as early as possible and take the necessary action. Overwatering often causes fungal leaf spots and root rot; it is important to be mindful of watering habits.
When pests are found, it is important to wipe the leaves with soap and water. After this, the plant can be treated with an organic insecticide. It is best to prune affected leaves to prevent the spread of the fungal growth.
Conclusion
With proper and informed care, parlor palms can survive for many decades. The plant grows slowly, so patience is necessary for the gardeners to see the final result. Mindful watering, the right humidity, and appropriate exposure to light support the plant's healthy growth. Overall, these houseplants are relatively easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
