The most popular air purifying plant is Parlor palm, it is an elegant, easy to care plant. It grow best in indoor conditions with proper care. Its bring the colour, texture and energy boosting plant with arching green leaves comprised of narrow leaflets.
However, if you can provide the appropriate growing conditions, your plant may survive up to 20-30 years. I have shared the steps taken to grow this plant care in this article which will guide you.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Clade: Commelinids
- Order: Arecales
- Family: Arecacea
- Genus: Chamaedorea
- Species: C. elegans
Prefers
- Light – Bright, indirect light
- Soil – Well draining
- Soil pH – 6.0-7.8
- Temperature – 65-75 degree Fahrenheit
- Humidity – 50-70%
- Blooming time – Late Summer and early Spring
- Flower colour – Yellow
- Native area – Southeastern Mexico
- Toxicity – Non toxic
Parlor palm plant care with some tips
Adequate amounts of water, light, soil, temperature and fertiliser should be obtained for the plant to grow. The problems and benefits of the plant have also been shared in this article. This article will help you with all the essentials you need to grow your plant.
If you want to know Majesty palm care.
Light
Parlor palm prefers bright, indirect light is ideal if you are placing your plant near a window. This plant also tolerate low light and can thrive in east or north facing windows. Too much light can scorch the leaves of your plant. Move plants that brighter spot, but do not place them in full sunlight.
Water
These plants should be watered regularly when the soil is dry. The sign of yellow leaves will indicate the plants need water. Parlor plant is sensitive to overwatering and cannot tolerate waterlogged. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.
Fertiliser
To make your plants grow faster, apply fertilisers when the plant starts flowering. It may cause plants to produce excessive foliage at the expense of blooms. Feed your palm plant liquid fertiliser once or twice during the growing season. The NPK ratio is 8-12-12 which is complete water soluble fertiliser. To be careful, excessive amount of fertiliser can the soil moisture balance and damage through roots.
Soil
The best soil for palm plant is loose, well draining potting mix such as peat moss, coco peat and bark. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH levels and prefers acidic conditions for healthy growth. A good mix for these plants is one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part peat moss, but any well-draining indoor plant.
Temperature & humidity
This plant needs room temperature between 65-80 Fahrenheit. It is drought tolerant plant but can tolerate upto 50 degree Fahrenheit. Keep the plant away from cold areas. The ideal humidity levels between 50-70% for healthy growth. If you want to increase the humidity level then use a humidifier can provide more stable humidity level.
Propagation of Parlor palm care
Propagation is a method by which you can make many plants of your choice. The best time to take your plant cutting for propagation is growing season when the plant actively grow healthy. It can propagate your plant through division. Place the newly separated plant in a small container with proper care like bright indirect light and warm climates until it adapts to the new environment.
Pruning of Parlor palm care
Pruning is the essential part of its care that keeps your plant healthy and encourage lush growth. Trimming your plant for new growth to produce more new branches. Make sure to trim just above a set of leaves and regular pruning will also increase the chances of the plant producing its stunning, fragrant flowers.
Parlor palm is slow growing, low maintenance plants and typically don’t need pruning. Use sharp, sterilised scissors to cut away any brown and yellow leaves. To be careful, too much pruning can kill the plant. Don’t prune your plant in the winter. Trim away dead or damage leaves but avoid cutting the plant from the top.
Types of Parlor palm
- Bamboo palm : Another variety of parlor palm is Bamboo palm, it is small, slow growing plant multi trunk with shape that makes great indoor plant.
- Cat palm : Chamaedorea cataractarum is the variety of parlor palm and also known as Cat palm. It can grow low maintenance and a popular choice among first time indoor plants growers.
- Bella palm : Chamaedorea elegans is another variety of parlor palm, it is a species of Southern Mexico. It can grow 6 feet tall, with most staying under 3 feet.
Repotting of Parlor palm care
This process can stress the plant so only do it when necessary. The best time to repot your plant in early spring. After the flowers bloom then the energy shifts to root development and making it the ideal time to repot. Repot every two to three years when the plants look like outgrown its pots.
Signs that your plant needs repotting for overcrowded roots. Prepare a new container adding some layer of soil, to remove the palm from its old container. Carefully remove the excess amount of soil from the root before placing this plant in a new container.
Common problem of Parlor palm
- The most common problem is yellow leaves, it is usually sign of under watering.
- Brown leaf spots are a signal that the plant is the soil is not draining well or a sign of sudden temperature change.
- Spider mites are tiny but mighty foes of the Parlour Palm. Their presence is betrayed by webbing on leaves and stippled foliage.
Benefits of Parlor palm
- Parlor palm act as filtering the air in your home. To remove toxins like formaldehyde, toluene and benzene.This plant is a wonderful air purifier, the leaves of this plant have more surface area which helps in producing more oxygen.
- Parlor palm is a low-maintenance plant with attractive foliage. It has a slow to moderate growth rate, growing between 6 and 10 inches every year.
- According to Vastu as it is believed to bring positive energy and good luck in your life. For best results, you should place the parlor plant in the east, southeast, south or north direction of your home.
Parlor palm plant faq
1.Why is my parlor palm not growing?
Ans. There are many reasons like overwatering, underwatering, temperature changes and low humidity etc. So this plant wants proper care.
2. How fast do parlor palms grow?
Ans. Parlor palm is slow growers, when grown in containers as indoor plants. This plant takes several many years to reach the mature height.
3. Is parlor palm easy to care for?
Ans. Parlor palm is one of the easiest palm to grow indoors.
4. Do plants like humidity?
Ans. This plant enjoy humidity so misting the 3 to 4 times a week will keep it happy.