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Chamaedorea spp.

parlor palms

Arecaceae

Tropical Mexico, Central and northern South America

Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Chamaedorea spp. is a genus of about 100 species of small understory palms in the family Arecaceae, native to humid forests of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Most species grow 1-20 ft (0.3-6 m) tall on slender, cane-like stems that are solitary in some species and clustering in others, with green rings marking the old leaf scars. The pinnate or occasionally undivided leaves are 8 in to 3 ft (20-90 cm) long and dark green. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants; the small yellow to orange flowers are followed on female plants by pea-sized fruits that ripen black or red. C. elegans, the parlor palm, and C. seifrizii, the bamboo palm, are grown as houseplants for their tolerance of low light. In the wild most species occupy deep forest shade and are sensitive to direct sun, which scorches the foliage. The fruits and sap can irritate skin in some species, and most are killed by frost.

Native Range

Chamaedorea spp. is native to the tropical Americas, from Mexico through Central America to Bolivia and Brazil. The center of diversity is in Mexico and Guatemala. Plants grow as understory palms in moist lowland and montane forests.

Suggested Uses

Grown as houseplants and in shaded patios, conservatories, and tropical understory plantings. The small size suits containers, terrariums, and low-light interior corners. Outdoors in frost-free climates they are massed as shade-tolerant groundcover palms beneath taller trees.

How to Identify

Look for small, slender palms with cane-like green stems ringed by old leaf scars, resembling bamboo. The leaves are usually pinnate with paper-textured leaflets, and the stems are often clustered. Branched sprays of small yellow to orange flowers and pea-sized fruits on separate male and female plants help identify the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 20'

Width/Spread1' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering can occur through much of the year in tropical conditions, with a peak in spring and summer. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants, so fruit forms only where both are present. Indoors, mature plants may flower intermittently regardless of season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow to orange

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH near 5.5 to 7.0. They tolerate low indoor light but are damaged by direct sun, which bleaches and scorches the foliage. Temperatures are kept above 50 F (10 C), as most species are frost-tender. Even moisture suits them, while soggy soil and cold, wet roots cause decline. Indoor plants are grouped or misted where humidity is low, and spider mites are a common pest in dry air.

Pruning

Dead or yellowing fronds are trimmed at the base to keep plants tidy. Spent flower and fruit stalks are removed once they fade. Clustering species are divided at the root to propagate or to reduce a clump size.