The Parlor Palm, also known as the Neante Bella Palm, is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for. Known for its bright green tropical leaves, this plant is good for beginners as it can tolerate low light conditions and is also known for its ability to purify the air. It requires little maintenance and adds an attractive touch of greenery to any space.
The Parlor Palm (scientific name: Parlor Palm) Chamaedoa Elegance) is originally from Central America (native to the rainforests of southern Mexico and Guatemala), but it has become a popular indoor plant here in the United States. It grows up to 6 feet indoors and can live for decades as an indoor tree in your home, reaching a mature height of 16 feet when flourishing outdoors.
These evergreen plants are not true lilies, but Spathiphyllum species), most peace lilies grow 1 to 4 feet wide and are native to tropical regions of Central and South America. A member of the Araceae family, if given enough light, it will bloom elegant white flowers from early summer and may continue to bloom all year round.
These tropical plants are cold sensitive and can only be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates like USDA zones 10 to 12. Learn how to keep this popular indoor palm happy with the right climate and care.
Related: How to care for Pilea plants, Peace Lily, Calathea, Monstera Plant, Aglaonema – Chinese Evergreen, Spider Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Golden Pothos, Jade Plant, Snake Plant, Rubber Tree, Dieffenbachia, Money Tree, Orchid, string of pearls plant.
Why is it called parlor palm?
Parlor palms first became popular during the Victorian era and got their name from their small size. This is because when grown indoors, they fit better into a “parlor” (an old fancy name for a living room or living room) than larger tropical varieties. It grows in clusters of delicate green leaves on a slender trunk, creating beautiful lush foliage and is one of the best palm types for beginners.
How often should I water my parlor palm plant?
When watering your parlor palm, make sure to give it plenty of drink, but allow it to dry out between waterings. Check how moist the soil is by sticking your finger into the top inch of soil and wait until it feels almost dry before watering again (try every 1-2 weeks at first to see if the plant responds well to it) Please check if it does). Parlor palms prefer moist soil, but overwatering can cause root rot. The planter I’m using has a drainage hole Drain excess water and do not leave plants in standing water if there is water in the drainage tray. It’s also important to use a potting mix that drains well to keep excess water away from the roots.
Lack of watering can also affect the leaves of your parlor palm, so be careful as the leaves will start to wither when they need more water. So, when your plant’s leaves start to wilt about a week after watering, you’ll start to know how often to water. If the plant is near bright light, it needs to be watered more often, and in darker areas it needs to be watered less.
Parlor palms are sensitive to tap water, so if distilled, filtered, or rainwater is not available, leaving tap water overnight will dissipate the chlorine.
How much sunlight does Parlor Palms need?
Although parlor palms are considered “low-light plants,” the parlor palm’s natural habitat receives dappled light through the rainforest canopy. Parlor palms prefer medium to bright indirect light, but grow well in low indirect light, making them a good choice for low-light locations (ideally a north-facing window with sunlight).
It is also recommended to dust the leaves from time to time, as too much dust on the leaves of the plant can inhibit photosynthesis. Rotate the plant occasionally to ensure even growth and check the underside for pests. Avoid direct sunlight as it may cause leaf burn.
Should I fertilize Parlor Palms?
Parlor palms do not require much fertilizer, but it is a good idea to fertilize. slow release fertilizer Fertilize sparingly, much less than the instructions say to fertilize bimonthly throughout the growing season (spring and summer).
Refrain from feeding your plants during fall and winter.
Palm plant potting and replanting parlor
Parlor palms are a slow-growing variety, so if you repot them into a slightly larger pot every two years, you shouldn’t have problems with root blockage.
Choose a pot that is only about 2 inches larger than its current size, as a pot that is too large will hold too much moisture in the plant and promote root rot. It is best to repot during the growing season of the year (spring and summer), but repotting can be done at any time of the year. Acidic to neutral is required High-quality soil with both drainage and water retention properties Or you can buy more All-purpose culture soil and add some peat mosssand, or perlite for extra drainage.
Parlor Palms temperature and humidity
The ideal indoor temperature for Parlor Palms is 65°F to 75°F, and should be kept away from cold drafts from vents and doors and windows. If you have potted plants outside, be sure to bring them indoors when temperatures drop into the 50s.
As a tropical plant, peace lilies prefer moderate humidity, but can usually grow in average humidity levels in your home. If you want to increase the humidity in your home, use a humidifier nearby or place your plants on top of gravel on a tray and pour water on the gravel, allowing the moisture to evaporate around the plants. Make sure the water level is lower than the gravel so that the plants are not placed directly in the water.
Moisture-loving plants usually thrive in bathrooms as well, as long as the space has enough light.
pruning parlor palms
Because pearl palms grow slowly, they do not need to be pruned, although you can cut off any leaves that become dry or yellow or brown.
Parlor palm propagation
Although there are many plants that can be propagated (see this plant propagation post for more information), the parlor palm is actually not a plant I recommend propagating at home. Plants grow in clusters for aesthetic reasons, but they don’t grow that way in nature. If you separate the roots into two plants, the plants will be under so much stress that they may not survive and cannot be grown as stem or leaf cuttings.
They are usually propagated from seeds by professionals, so if you want to add more parlor palms to your home, we recommend simply purchasing a new plant.
If you want to try dividing with Parlor Palm and hope it works, follow these steps.
- Gently remove the parlor plant from its pot.
- Cut the root ball in half using a sterile cutting tool, making sure there are healthy roots on each side.
- Plant each section in a pot slightly larger than the plant and fill in any gaps with fresh potting soil.
- Water as needed. Be sure to let the soil dry between waterings and place in bright, indirect light at 65°F to 75°F until roots develop.
Common varieties of parlor palms:
‘Chamaedoa elegans ‘Bella’‘: One of the most popular indoor varieties, dense, bright green leaves grow from slender, arching stems that, over many years of growth, reveal clusters of small yellow flowers.
“Chamadrea Erumpens”: A bamboo palm tree with smooth green leaves, native to Guatemala and Honduras, that can reach a height of 8 feet.
‘C. hooperiana’: This variety is a large genus of Central and South American palms, with large, impressive leaves and very fast growth.
Diagnosing common problems
- Brown leaf tips: Brown leaves can be caused by underwatering, so make sure the top inch of soil is just dry before watering again. Low humidity can cause the tips to turn brown, so try using a humidifier or placing a tray filled with pebbles and water under the base of the plant.
- Yellow leaves: This is usually a sign of overwatering, but it can also be caused by not getting enough light. Check your watering schedule and soil moisture to see if overwatering is the culprit, or move it to an area of your home with brighter, indirect light.
- pest: Small pests such as spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects are common pests for parlor palms, but you can wipe the leaves with mild detergent and water and spray them. insecticidal soap To keep out insects. If caught early, spider mites and mealybugs can be removed with a damp cloth.
- Fungal infections: Plant diseases such as fungal leaf spot can be caused by root rot or overwatering, so if you find fungal growth, remove the affected leaves.
- Stem camper: These are difficult to treat, so you can prune the affected areas, but the plant may not recover.
FAQ
Is parlor palm toxic to pets and children?
no! Thankfully, pearl palms are non-toxic to pets and humans. Although not toxic, gnawing on this plant should be avoided as ingesting large amounts can cause stomach upset.
Do Parlor Palms clean the air?
Yes, Parlor Palm has air purifying properties and is on NASA’s list of top air purification plants because it removes formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air.
Source: A Beautiful Mess – abeautifulmess.com
