DIG THIS
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has royal roots!
Back in the Victorian era, this plant was considered to be a symbol of luxury and wealth. Since Victorian homes were typically dimly lit, parlor palms were an easy choice to keep the space looking lush. Today, they are still adding a bit of green elegance to shaded rooms.
Pretty Chill
Any Light
Except Direct Sun
Keep Soil Moist
Pet Safe
SHADE,
PARTIAL SUN, or INDIRECT SUN
AVOID HARSH, DIRECT SUN
A parlor palm plant is considered pretty easy-going when it comes to sunlight. Although it thrives in indirect sunlight, this houseplant can also survive in low light areas.
Just keep an eye out for leggy stems and consider relocating it to a brighter spot if you do!
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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OUR PICK
Because parlor palms are more forgiving, any window is suitable as a light source. Just make sure to keep it out of direct sun.
⚠︎ Avoid south-facing ⚠︎
KEEP SOIL MOIST
A parlor palm prefers to be watered thoroughly, so give it a big gulp until water drains from the bottom. Then allow the soil to dry slightly (1-2 inches) before watering again.
Overwatering can lead to root rot. Make sure its pot has good drainage.
MODERATE HUMIDITY
Indoor humidity is typically fine, but in drier climates you may notice browning leaf tips. Consider using a humidifier every so often if you have one!
SOIL
Parlor palm needs soil that stays consistently moist but never soggy.
The best store-bought option is a standard indoor potting mix since it is already formulated for plants like a parlor palm.
If you'd like to add something to help with moisture retention, mix in a bit of coco coir.
COCO COIR
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOWING FRONDS
A possible sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Soil that has been overwatered can lead to root rot.
Remove affected fronds. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering. Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
BROWNING/CRISPING
Often due to low humidity or tap water chemicals.
Try boosting humidity levels with a humidifier and switch to a filtered or distilled water. You can also "flush the soil" occasionally with the filtered or distilled water. Pour the water slowly through the soil until it drains out of the bottom. This can help clear our mineral buildup.
Snipping Brown Tips
PALE/FADED
A sign of too much sunlight. Harsh rays can cause a bleaching affect to a parlor palm’s delicate leaves.
Relocate it to an area with more filtered light or shade and avoid placing it in direct afternoon sun.
DROOPING
Commonly due to soil kept too dry or rootbound conditions.
Regularly check the soil moisture and water when the top few inches feels dry. Also be mindful if it’s time to repot into a slightly larger container.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Fungus Gnats
Mealybugs
Scale
Spider Mites
