Parlor Palm — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Chamaedorea elegans |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 45–90 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–26.7 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1095–2190 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 61–182.9 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 10–12 |
| Light | Shade |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Grow in low to bright indirect light; Parlor Palm is one of the most shade-tolerant palms available, thriving in the reduced light levels of interior rooms, offices, and north-facing windows where most palms would quickly decline. Chamaedorea elegans is a small, graceful, clustering palm native to the cloud forests and rainforest understory of southern Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí) and Guatemala at elevations up to 5,000 feet — its adaptation to the deeply shaded forest floor makes it uniquely suited to indoor conditions. Since the 19th century, when cut fronds became popular as floral arrangements and the plants were grown in Victorian parlors (hence the name), Chamaedorea elegans has become one of the most widely sold and cultivated houseplants in the world. The palm forms a slow-growing, multi-stemmed clump of slender, bamboo-like stems carrying dark-green, pinnately-compound fronds 2–3 feet long. It produces small, yellow, bead-like flowers (occasionally borne even on young plants) followed by small black fruits if pollinated. Parlor Palm is on the NASA Clean Air Study list for removing benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Non-toxic to pets and children — one of the few large palms confirmed safe for households with cats and dogs.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0