Chamaedorea elegans – Indoor House Plants

Chamaedorea elegans is a popular houseplant. It grows up to tall 5 – 10 ft and 1-5 ft wide with slender, cane-like stems that are ringed with leaf scars. It has dark green, pinnate leaves about 18-24 inches long that are divided into opposite pairs of leaflets. In early spring it produces small yellow blossoms. Male and Female blossoms are borne on different plants. Blooms are followed by small round green fruits that turn black when ripe. It can easily grow in indoor or outdoor, in a pot as a table plant or as a tree in a garden. Parlour palm is one of NASA’s top air cleaning plants able to remove pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from the air.

Scientific Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Common Name: Neanthe bella palm or Parlour palm.

 

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Chamaedorea elegans:

Light:
It thrives in bright indirect light or filtered light. Do not keep your plant in direct sunlight. They do best near a north-facing the window.

Soil:
It thrives best in the fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained but moist soil.

Temperature:
It prefers normal to warm room temperatures 65-80°F/18-27°C. But not less than 50 degrees F.

Water:
Water moderately but do not let it stand in water. Keep potting mixture moist during the growing period. In winter water sparingly so that it is just moist. Let the top of potting mixture dry out before you water again. Brown leaves are a common problem with these plants and are usually indicative of excessive watering or a lack of humidity.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize once per month in spring and summer with slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer once a month.

Propagation:
It can be propagated by seed or division. Although new shoots are often present at the base of the palm, it is not always easy to get them to root.

Pests and Diseases:
No serious pest or disease problems. Look for spider mites and mealybugs on indoor houseplants. Wash infested leaves and use a pesticide.