Chamaedorea


The parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has been grown as a houseplant since the Victorian era and remains one of the most popular indoor palms in the world. Native to the rainforests of Mexico and Guatemala, it produces elegant, arching fronds of dark green leaflets on slender stems, creating a graceful, tropical effect in any room. Compact, slow-growing, and genuinely tolerant of the lower light and drier air found in typical British homes, the parlour palm is one of the most reliable and rewarding houseplants you can grow.

At Grow Tropicals we stock parlour palms and other Chamaedorea species in a range of sizes, all grown to our high standards and dispatched with care.

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    Chamaedorea elegans 6cm Plants GrowTropicalsSale
    Parlour Palm

    Chamaedorea elegans

    £3.99 £4.99
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    Chamaedorea metallica

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    Chamaedorea verecunda Plants GrowTropicals

    Chamaedorea verecunda

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    Chamaedorea elegans 'Tiny Lizzy' Plants GrowTropicals

    Chamaedorea elegans 'Tiny Lizzy'

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    Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea): Care, Varieties & Growing Guide

    The parlour palm as a houseplant

    Chamaedorea elegans earns its place as one of the most widely sold houseplants on a simple basis: it works. Unlike many palms that struggle indoors, the parlour palm genuinely tolerates the lower light, lower humidity, and cooler temperatures found in typical homes. It grows slowly and stays proportionate for years. It produces clusters of small yellow flowers even indoors, sometimes followed by small black berries. And its elegant, refined appearance suits both modern and traditional interiors. Few plants deliver as consistent a result for as little effort.

    How to care for parlour palm

    Parlour palms prefer bright, indirect light but are among the most shade-tolerant palms available - they will grow, albeit slowly, in a north-facing room. Keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged - allow the top inch to dry before watering again. They are sensitive to fluoride and mineral salts in tap water, which causes brown leaf tips; use filtered or rainwater if this is a persistent issue. Feed monthly from spring to early autumn with a palm or balanced liquid fertiliser. Repot only when the plant is heavily root-bound, using a well-draining palm compost.

    Other Chamaedorea species

    Chamaedorea elegans is the most widely grown species but the genus contains over 100 others. Chamaedorea seifrizii (bamboo palm) produces multiple slender stems and a more open, airy canopy than C. elegans. Chamaedorea metallica has unusual, undivided, metallic blue-green leaves - a striking collector's plant. Chamaedorea cataractarum (cat palm) produces dense, multi-stemmed clumps of arching fronds and is particularly effective as a floor plant in a bright room.

    Solving common problems

    Brown leaf tips are the most common complaint with parlour palms and are usually caused by fluoride in tap water, low humidity, or irregular watering. Switch to filtered water, use a pebble tray, and keep watering consistent. Spider mites thrive on palms in dry indoor conditions - check the undersides of fronds regularly and treat promptly with neem oil or insecticidal soap if found. Lower fronds naturally yellow and die as the plant ages - trim these cleanly at the base of the stem.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Parlour palms need bright, indirect light (they tolerate shade well), evenly moist compost (water when the top inch dries), good drainage, and monthly feeding in the growing season. They prefer filtered or rainwater to avoid fluoride-related brown tips. Repot only when clearly root-bound. They are slow-growing and low-maintenance - one of the most reliable indoor palms.

    Brown tips on parlour palms are almost always caused by fluoride or mineral salts in tap water, low humidity, or irregular watering. Try switching to filtered or rainwater, place on a pebble tray to raise humidity, and ensure consistent watering. Some tip browning on older fronds is natural. Trim brown tips at a slight angle with clean scissors.

    Parlour palms are unusually shade-tolerant for a palm and will grow in a north-facing room, though growth will be slower and less lush than in a brighter position. They prefer bright, indirect light but must avoid direct harsh sun, which scorches the fronds. They are one of the best choices for lower-light rooms where other plants struggle.

    Yes - Chamaedorea elegans (parlour palm) is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs and is listed as safe by the ASPCA. It is one of the most pet-friendly large houseplants available and a good choice for homes with animals.

    Parlour palms are slow-growing, typically adding one to two new fronds per month in the growing season under good conditions. In lower light the growth rate slows considerably. This slow growth is an advantage for a houseplant, as the palm stays proportionate in its pot for many years before needing repotting or outgrowing a space.

    Spider mites are the most common pest on parlour palms, thriving in warm, dry indoor conditions. Signs include fine webbing on the fronds and a dusty, stippled appearance to the leaves. Increase humidity around the plant, wipe the fronds with a damp cloth, and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap applied to all frond surfaces. Repeat every seven to ten days until clear.