Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is a very popular indoor palm- popular since the Victorian era. It is a beautiful palm that can tolerate low light conditions. Your Parlor Palm is also known to be a very effective air purifying indoor plant that can remove toxins from the air. Here are tips on how to care for your Parlor Palm indoors.
10 Tips on How to Take Care of Your Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
1. Your Parlor Palm is Happiest in Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light.
Parlor Palm is happiest in bright, filtered light. It does well in an East facing or West facing window with half day of sun.Your Parlor Palm can also tolerate low light conditions. Just know your Parlor Palm will not grow as healthy if it’s in low light as it would be if it were to be exposed to more light.
2. Moderate Water is Best for Your Parlor Palm
Your Parlor Palm has moderate water requirements. Water your Parlor Palm when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your Parlor Palm is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 1 inch deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your Parlor Palm.
3. Get the Soil Right for Your Parlor Palm
Your Parlor Palm needs a well-draining, organic all-purpose potting mix.
4. Fertilize Your Parlor Palm
Fertilize your Parlor Palm once a month at half strength during the growing season. Don’t fertilize in the Fall and Winter months.
5. Don’t forget to Repot Your Parlor Palm
Repot your Parlor Palm once every 2-3 years. Repot your Parlor Palm in a container with a diameter 4 inches larger than the current pot. Stop repotting when your Parlor Palm has reached its optimal size.
Also, make sure you repot your Parlor Palm in a heavy container so it doesn’t topple over.
6. Drainage is Essential for Your Parlor Palm
Good drainage is important, you don’t want your Parlor Palm to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
After watering your Parlor Palm and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your Parlor Palm’s pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!
7. Get the Temperature Right for Your Parlor Palm
Your Parlor Palm needs to have daytime temperature of 70F to 80 Farenheit (21-26C). Nighttime temperature should be at 60-70 Farenheit (15-21 C).
8. Keep Your Parlor Palm Dust Free
Dust accumulates on your Parlor Palm leaves over time. The layer of dust decreases the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Periodically wiping down the leaves of your Parlor Palm with a damp cloth will help keep your plant healthy.
You can also use a duster or dry duster cloth to wipe off the layer of dust on the leaves. Avoid using leaf-shining chemicals on your Parlor Palm, it will clog up the leaf pores.
9. Humidity is Vital for Your Parlor Palm
Your Parlor Palm is a tropical plant that grows best in a humid environment. You should increase indoor humidity. Mist your Parlor Palm twice a week. Turn on the humidifier.
Another way to increase humidity is to keep your Parlor Palm in a saucer filled with water. But make sure the pot is elevated with pot feet or pebbles so your Parlor Palm is not sitting directly on the water.
10. Parlor Palm is an Air Purifying Plant
Parlor Palm is an air purifying plant. It will clean the air by removing air pollutants such as Formaldehyde, and Benzene. In a NASA research study, Parlor Palm is effective in removing benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. Parlor Palm is a great indoor plant to help fight sick building syndrome.
3 Common Parlor Palm Problems (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
The common problems for Parlor Palm are root rot, spider mites, and brown leaf tips.
Problem: Yellow and Brown Spots with Spider-Like Webs on the Leaves and Stems of your Parlor Palm
Problem: There are yellow and brown spots on the leaves of your Parlor Palm. You also see spider web-like webbing on the leaves and stems.
Cause: The spider webbing and yellow and brown spots are signs of spider mites attacking your Parlor Palm. Spider mites are tiny pests that are too small to see with your bare eyes.
Solution: To treat spider mites on your Parlor Palm, spray off the leaves with water from a garden hose. The force will cause the little spider mites to wash off the leaves. You can also wash mites off with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. There are also horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps that you can use to kill off spider mites.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Problem: Your Parlor Palm Looks Wilted (Soil is Wet)
Problem: Your Parlor Palm looks wilted even if the soil is wet. Check for root rot by pulling the plant out and examining the roots. If the roots of your Parlor Palm plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot.
Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Parlor Palm. Root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage.
Solution: When your Parlor Palm is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your Parlor Palm out and start over with a new plant. This time don’t overwater your Parlor Palm and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.
Problem: Tip of Leaves of Your Parlor Palm are Turning Brown
Problem: The tips of the leaves of your Parlor Palm plant are turning brown.
Cause: When the tips of the leaves of your Parlor Palm turn brown that is a result of not enough water or humidity. The tips of the leaves are turning brown because they are dying.
Solution: Water your Parlor Palm and increase humidity by watering your Parlor Palm. Just make sure to let your Parlor Palm completely air dry so it does not suffer from root rot.
Parlor Palm Houseplant Facts
| Name | Parlor Palm |
| Scientific Name | Chamaedorea seifrizii |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Low Light. |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Potting | Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize once a month at half strength. Don’t fertilize in Fall and Winter. |
| Air Purifying Plant | Removes Formaldehyde and Benzene. |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Non-Toxic |
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii): Frequently Asked Questions
What are Other Common Names of Parlor Palm?
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is also called Bamboo Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm, or Reed Palm.
Is Your Parlor Palm Toxic to Pets?
According to ASPCA, Parlor Palms are not toxic to dogs and cats.
How Can You Tell When It’s Time to Water Your Parlor Palm?
Water your Parlor Palm when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your Parlor Palm.
Can You Use Cold Water When Watering Your Parlor Palm?
Parlor Palm can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Parlor Palm. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Parlor Palm. Parlor Palm prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold.
When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Parlor Palm?
Use liquid or powder, organic fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen on your Parlor Palm.
How Big Does Your Parlor Palm Get?
Parlor Palm Your Parlor Palm is a slow-growing indoor palm that can grow to 4 feet tall.
How Do You Propagate Your Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)?
You can propagate your Parlor Palm by division of its rhizomes. Below are steps on how to propagate your Parlor Palm by dividing its rhizomes.
1. Dig Up your Parlor Palm
Using a hand shovel, dig up your Parlor Palm so you can lift out the entire plant. Be careful, don’t damage the roots and rhizomes. Dig a few inches away from the plant.
2. Divide the Parlor Palm Rhizomes
Carefully divide up the Parlor Palm rhizomes. Make sure each rhizome has its own stem, leaves and roots.
3. Plant the Rhizomes in a New Pot
Plant each rhizome into a new pot. Don’t plant the rhizomes too close together. Ideally, plant each one in its own pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.
4. Place New Parlor Palm Plant in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun
Place your new Parlor Palm plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight. Keep your Parlor Palm plant in a spot that is warm and humid.
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