Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm) is a popular palm tree that is native to Mexico and Guatemala. Parlour Palms are one of the world’s most cultivated palms and are commonly used as houseplants. This variety is tolerant in low light, grows well in pots and is non-toxic to pets and children. The fronds of Parlour Palms are widely used in flower arrangements due to their longevity after being cut.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub Tropical and Tropical climates but are grown in cold climates indoors.
Other common names include Neanthe Bella Palm, Mountain Palm, and spelt Parlor Palm in the United States.
Due to their rather slow growth, Parlour Palms are quite expensive to buy. Plants in a 20 cm pot usually cost around $40 and for 40 cm pots anywhere between $200-250.
Growth
Chamaedorea elegans is a rhizomatous palm tree that rarely grows higher than 2 metres (6-7 feet) outside of their native environment. Which combined with their slow growth rate makes them ideal houseplants. A range of conditions can cause young seedlings to die abruptly including over watering, not enough sun or low temperatures. They can tolerate low light when established but will suffer damage if temperatures fall below 12°C / 53°F.
Parlour Palms grow among thick rainforests which helps protect their fragile stems from strong winds. If growing outdoors permanently choose a location that protects them from wind. Due to their ornamental style and small size, most Parlour Palms are grown in containers so that they can be moved to adapt to varying seasons. The ideal temperature range is 18-26°C / 65-80°F.
Remarkably, flowering can occur on young plants as small as 30 cm (1 foot) but generally takes between 2-5 years. Flowers are usually yellow or orange. If pollinated, small inedible berries around 5-6 mm wide will form and contain one seed.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Arecaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 40°C / 50 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Tolerates most soil types.
LOCATION:
Full Sun or Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (30 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 2.5 metres (8 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Wind and Beetles.
MATURITY:
2-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
65-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks, dependent on conditions.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
4-5
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
FACTS ABOUT CHAMAEDOREA ELEGANS (Parlour Palm)
Chamaedorea elegans is one of three species that is grown for their Xate, which is the commercial term used for the stems that are harvested. As there is virtually no commercial farms of Xate, locals venture into the wild to collect the fronds which has caused damage to their eco-systems.
The Parlour Palm was part of a 1989 study conducted by NASA aimed at measuring plants and their air purifying abilities. The study found that this species was able to remove Benzene, Formaldehyde, Trichloroethylene, Xylene, Toluene and Ammonia from the air. The same study found that the Rhapis excelsa was able to remove the same toxins.
