The Parlour Palm was popular with the Victorians and remains a firm favourite. An elegant plant, easy to look after, with excellent air purifying qualities. They are undemanding in terms of light, water, temperature, humidity and feed, making them perfect for those of us that like low-maintenance room-mates.
Chamaedorea elegans has bright green leaves on slender, arching stems. The leaves are pinnate, meaning it has feathered leaflets arranged on either side of the stem. With the Parlour Palm, these leaflets form opposite pairs and there can be as many as 40 leaflets on each leaf. Small yellow flowers appear on mature plants if they have sufficient light. Chamaedorea elegans also has the Latin name Neanthe bella. Its common names are Parlour Palm and Dwarf Mountain Palm.
Horty Hints
Too much sun isn't fun! If leaves are fading, bleaching or spotting, the palm is receiving too much direct light. Placing on an east or west-facing windowsill will provide it with the right level of light.
Reaching new heights! In the wild, the Chamaedorea elegans can grow up to 8 feet tall!
Make sure to water once the top few inches of soil feel dry. Avoid watering too frequently to stave off root rot.