1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Chamaedorea elegans, parlor palm, is a slow-growing small palm from the rainforests of Mexico and Honduras, reaching two to seven feet indoors. Slender green canes carry arching to drooping pinnate fronds about eight inches long with eleven to twenty narrow leaflets, and mature plants produce sprays of tiny yellow flowers.
It has been the standard parlour palm since Victorian houses precisely because it tolerates deep shade and dry indoor air better than any other palm. Unlike most palms it grows in clumps of several thin canes rather than a single trunk, so a full-looking plant is several seedlings in one pot — and a cane cut off never regrows.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
48 inches
Width
30 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
10
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate to high
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Mexico to Honduras
Toxicity
Non-toxic; safe around cats and dogs
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Give it partial to deep shade; direct sun scorches fronds.
- Use free-draining potting compost.
- Water when the top inch dries; never leave it wet.
- Never cut a cane down; it will not regrow.
- Cut only individual brown fronds at the base.
- Keep it above 60F and away from cold draughts.
Pro Tip
A cut cane never resprouts, so remove only individual dead fronds — cutting a whole stem back permanently thins the plant.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Use it in genuinely shaded rooms 🌑
- Cut only dead fronds, at the base ✂️
- Let the surface dry between waterings 💧
- Keep it warm and draught-free 🌡️
Don't
- Cut a cane down to the pot ❌
- Put it in direct sun ❌
- Let it sit in standing water ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed | ||||||||||||
| Repot |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Parlor Palm questions
What zones can Parlor Palm grow in?
Parlor Palm is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Parlor Palm deer resistant?
Yes — Parlor Palm is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Parlor Palm bloom?
Parlor Palm typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Parlor Palm need full sun?
Parlor Palm does best in part shade.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Parlor Palm with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.