Chamaedorea elegans
parlour palm
An evergreen palm, with slenderly stalked, pinnate leaves to 60cm in length, with up to 40 linear leaflets. Tiny yellow flowers are borne in terminal panicles, only on mature plants
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | Green | Black | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Chamaedorea are evergreen palms with slender, solitary or clustered stems bearing large leaves which may be pinnate or shaped like a fish tail; insignificant flowers are borne in panicles or spikes below the leaves, followed by small fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mexico to Guatemala
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in a loam free compost in full light but with protection from strong sun. In the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. See Chamaedorea for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at a temperature of no less than 25°C
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and thrips
Diseases
False smut may attack leaves
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.