How to Grow a Parlor Palm? Detailed Guide to Propagation by Seed and Division

The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has a compact plant body, a graceful shape, and an elegant posture. Looking closely, its leaves are deep green and glossy, and the leaf blades lie flat; a mature plant is umbrella-shaped, just like little coconut trees. So how is the parlor palm propagated?

Parlor Palm Propagation Methods (Sowing, Division)

Sowing:

The suitable period for sowing is from spring to summer, and sowing immediately after harvest is best; because the endocarp of the seed is hard and the mesocarp contains substances that inhibit germination, the seeds usually germinate slowly and unevenly; the suitable germination temperature is 30-35°C, and when the temperature is high the seeds can germinate earlier, the germination period is shorter, and the final germination rate is also higher; at 35°C they germinate about 1-1.5 months after sowing, at 30°C they germinate about 1.5-2 months after sowing, and below 25°C germination is delayed to 4-6 months, so sowing in winter requires heat preservation; before sowing, soak the seeds in water at room temperature for 1-2 days, cover with about 1 cm of soil after sowing, water to keep suitably moist, and they germinate into seedlings after about 1-2 months; after 2-3 rounds of temporary planting and fertilizing, plant them out in their final position.

Division:

The suitable period for division is from spring to autumn, and carrying it out in spring together with repotting is best; when the plants become crowded they can be dug up, and each 1-3 plants can be separated and planted separately. The growing medium is best a loam or sandy loam rich in humus, and drainage must be good; for potted plants, mixing leaf mold, peat moss, river sand and a small amount of base fertilizer makes growth more vigorous.

How to Grow a Parlor Palm

Spring to summer is the period of vigorous growth, when more water is needed, so attention should be paid to replenishing moisture; keeping the soil suitably moist at all times helps growth; from summer to autumn when the air is dry, the leaves can be misted frequently to raise air humidity and keep the foliage deep green and glossy.

When planting, mix organic fertilizer into the soil as a base fertilizer, and growth afterwards will be better; from spring to autumn apply a top dressing once every 1-2 months, and various organic fertilizers or the three major nutrients are all ideal; after late autumn, reduce fertilizing; when the winter temperature drops below 13°C the plant enters dormancy, so reduce watering and stop fertilizing to help it overwinter, and the minimum winter temperature for overwintering is 3°C.

For potted plants, choose a 6-8 inch pot, plant a single plant or 2-3 plants per pot, and make sure drainage at the bottom of the pot is unobstructed; the plant is most graceful when 30-60 cm tall, and when it grows too tall its ornamental value decreases because the lower part becomes bare, so smaller young plants can be grown below to set it off; repot and change the soil once every 2-3 years, with spring being the suitable period, and if the plants are crowded, take this opportunity to divide and plant them; transplanting in winter makes them prone to cold damage, growth is hindered, and recovery is difficult.

How to Grow a Parlor Palm Without Soil

Soilless cultivation techniques for growing parlor palms use an inorganic chemical fertilizer solution, that is, the nutrient solution cultivation method. The parlor palm prefers a shaded environment and should not be placed near a south window; it should be placed on a north, east or west windowsill, or in a place equivalent to that. In darker places the leaves grow deep green, while in direct light the leaf color gradually turns yellow-green. Excessive strong light can cause scorched leaves and black spots. The optimum growth temperature is between 20-30°C, at 13°C it enters dormancy, and in winter it must not go below 10°C.

For watering, follow the principle of rather wet than dry, keeping the potting soil moist all year round. In winter reduce the amount of water appropriately, and it is best to water with cool boiled water. In summer, clean rainwater may be used. Mist the leaves and the surrounding ground frequently to maintain relatively high air humidity. At high temperature and high humidity it is prone to brown spot disease, and when the air is dry and ventilation is poor it is easily harmed by scale insects, so strict precautions and timely treatment are needed. It is naturally robust and easy to grow, likes warmth and humidity, tolerates shade, and its suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C.

What Are the Benefits of the Parlor Palm

The parlor palm is a common potted plant in the home, with a graceful plant shape and great ornamental value for decoration; below let us look at what specific benefits the parlor palm has:

1. Household benefits

It can simultaneously purify benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air, and is a “high-efficiency air purifier” among plants, very suitable for placing indoors or in newly renovated rooms.

2. Ornamental value

The parlor palm is small and exquisite, with a graceful plant shape, an elegant posture, and deep green glossy leaves; it is highly shade-tolerant and is an excellent small to medium-sized indoor potted foliage plant. Its leaf blades lie flat, and a mature plant is umbrella-shaped, dignified and stately, simple yet elegant, with unrestrained leaves, lustrous as jade, giving people a feeling of sincerity and simplicity and full of vitality. Small plants are suitable for small pots, placed on a desk or tabletop as a treasured display, and are also suitable for hanging indoors to decorate a space. Larger plants can be displayed in halls, meeting rooms, airport lounges and other places; as an important foliage plant for beautifying interiors, it has already swept the world.

The parlor palm is shade-tolerant, so it is very suitable as a small to medium-sized indoor potted plant, placed on a desk or tabletop as a treasured display, and also suitable for hanging indoors to decorate a space, adding a tropical atmosphere and charm to the interior. Placed in a corner of a room or on a coffee table, it can add a breath of vibrant life to the interior, giving it a charming tropical scenery.

As a common courtyard and indoor plant, the parlor palm has a dignified and stately appearance, is simple yet elegant, with unrestrained leaves, lustrous as jade, giving people a feeling of sincerity and simplicity and full of vitality; it has high ornamental value, and can be cultivated by soilless culture methods, and is deeply loved by people.