Parlour palm (
Chamaedorea elegans) is a species of palm tree in the family Arecaceae, native to the rainforests in southern Mexico and Guatemala. It is also known as Table top palm and Neanthe Bella palm.
Parlour palm is a hardy palm with slender, cane-like stem, and can grow up to 2 m tall. It is usually grown as a houseplant. The dark green, pinnate leaves are on a pale rachis with 11-20 pinnae. Mature specimens bear small yellow flowers in late winter to early spring, follow by small black fruit.
Parlour palm grows well in full shade to low interior lightings, evenly moist well-drained soil. Do not overwater the plant, as this can lead to root rot, and leaf tips and fronds turn yellow, leaves may drop, and new growth will come out pale yellow. Underwatered plant will have brown tips, new growth will be pale and older fronds may turn yellow.
As this palm is an indoor palm, it is susceptible to spider mites and mealy bug.
Propagation is by seed or division.
Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans)Author:
Jerzy Opiola (
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)