Bamboo Palm Tree

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is the palm to reach for when you need soft green screening in shade, indoors or out. It grows as a clump of slender, bamboo like canes to about 3m tall and 1.5m wide, each cane carrying feathery deep green fronds from top to bottom. It is listed as non toxic to cats and dogs, one of the safest ways to green a home or courtyard.

Why you'll love it

• Safe around pets. Chamaedorea palms are non toxic to cats and dogs, so a curious chewer is an annoyance rather than an emergency.
• A screen that works in shade. Most screening plants demand sun. This one builds a soft green wall in bright shade, even under a patio roof.
• Slim, clumping habit. The canes rise in a tight cluster about 1.5m wide, so it screens without swallowing a narrow bed or balcony.
• Comfortable in Australian conditions. Heat and humidity barely mark it, so it stays fresh through northern summers.
• Genuinely low maintenance. No spraying, no shaping. Remove a spent frond occasionally and it carries on.

Where it works best

Indoors. One of the most reliable indoor palms in the country. Bright, indirect light near a window keeps it furnishing a corner from floor to head height.

Pots on balconies and courtyards. A large pot in a shaded spot suits it perfectly, and potted plants shift under cover where winters turn cold.

Screening and privacy in frost free gardens. Plant 1m apart for a dense clumping screen along a fence or around an outdoor room; the clumps knit together while each keeps its full skirt of fronds.

Growing Bamboo Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, dappled or open shade outdoors; hot direct sun scorches the fronds. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates and is frost tender, so cooler zones should keep it potted and under cover through winter.

Soil. Free draining potting mix in containers, or garden soil opened up with compost. The roots will not tolerate sitting in water.

Water and feed. Keep the mix evenly moist in the warm months, letting the top few centimetres dry between waterings indoors, and ease right off in winter. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser in spring and midsummer.

Pruning. Remove spent fronds at the base. If an old cane loses condition, cut it out at ground level and new canes replace it.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Bamboo Palm in 125mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, 250mm pots in packs of 3, and as single established plants in 300mm and 400mm pots. The packs are the economical route to a screen, while the singles bring useful height on day one. A few bruised fronds in transit are normal and soon grow out; give a new plant a fortnight to settle.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• More pet friendly indoor plants
• Compare the Cascade Palm for deeper shade

Common questions

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Chamaedorea species are listed as non toxic to cats and dogs, which is why this palm appears on most pet safe plant lists.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

One metre apart. The clumps fill the gaps within a few seasons, giving a soft screen at head height and rising to about 3m in time.

Why are the frond tips turning brown indoors?

Usually dry air, inconsistent watering or salts from tap water. Water deeply until it drains, empty the saucer, and trim the browned tips with scissors. The palm recovers quickly once the routine is steady.

Can it live outside in Melbourne or Adelaide?

Only in a pot that comes under cover for winter. It is frost tender, so in cool climates treat it as an indoor or patio plant rather than a garden shrub.