Parlor palm, also known as a Neanthebella palm, is a popular houseplant and easy to care for. Although the palm family is large, only a few make good houseplants. The parlor palm is one of those few, adapting beautifully to average indoor conditions.
The Parlor palm has elegant, green leaflets on arching fronds, giving this palm a feathery canopy shape. Given enough light, a mature plant may produce sprays of small, yellow flowers on tall stalks above the foliage. The flowers are followed by seeds that are rarely fertile and not worth saving, so just cut the flowers off when they begin to turn brown.
Although this palm will tolerate dry indoor air, it will be healthier with higher humidity. A good misting once a week with room-temperature water will help keep the humidity up as well as keep its leaves clean.
Do not prune this palm; Parlor palms grow from a terminal bud. Pruning this single point of growth will cause it to stop growing. However, it’s fine to trim off old fronds that have turned brown.
This is one of a few palms that grow well in low light. Its tolerance for lack of light and low humidity make it an ideal home or office plant.
Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Origin: Mexico
Height: Slow-growing, mature plants can reach 3 – 4 ft.
Light: Low light to moderate bright light but not direct sunlight. If leaves turn yellowish-green, it may be getting too much sun.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist and provide good drainage.
Humidity: Average room humidity, occasionally misting with room-temperature water.
Temperature: Average room temperatures of 65-80 degrees F. (18-27 degrees C). Keep the leaves away from cold windows, air conditioners, and heat sources.
Soil: Any good quality potting mix; needs good drainage.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through summer with a slow release fertilizer.