Parlour Palm

Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a small, slender, clumping palm for the shady spots where most plants sulk. Potted it reaches about 2m tall and 1m to 1.5m wide, slightly taller in the garden, with fine arching fronds and a gentle weeping habit. It is one of the most popular indoor palms in the world and is generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Happy in shade. It grows well in shade or part shade, which makes it useful under trees, on a shaded verandah or in a dim room.
• Slow and tidy. Slow growth keeps it in scale for years, so a pot does not turn into a repotting chore.
• Elegant fronds. Slender, slightly weeping leaves give a soft, lush look without the bulk of a larger palm.
• Indoors or out. It suits pots, indoor gardens and shaded tropical beds.
• Gentle around pets. Parlour palm is generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Where it works best

Indoor rooms. Use it in a bright room out of direct sun, in potting compost and a pot with drainage. Its slender shape suits corners, hallways and beside a sofa.

Shaded tropical garden beds. Plant 1m apart to form a loose, layered clump beneath taller trees. In the ground it grows slightly taller than in a pot.

Pots on verandahs, balconies and courtyards. Keep it in a shaded, sheltered spot, and move it under cover if frost is forecast.

Growing Parlour Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Shade or part shade, out of hot direct sun. This palm comes from Mexico and likes warmth, so protect it from frost. Grow it outdoors in tropical, subtropical and frost free warm temperate gardens, and in a pot indoors or under cover elsewhere.

Soil. Well drained garden soil outdoors, or potting compost for indoor growing.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep the soil moist during dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring and a liquid fertiliser regularly through the warmer months.

Pruning. Little pruning is needed beyond cutting off fronds that brown or die back at the base. Repot every 2 to 3 years to keep the soil fresh and full of nutrients.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Parlour Palm as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single plants in 300mm pots. A tube is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Parlour palms grow slowly, so the larger pots are the choice for presence now, while tubes are the economical way to fill a shaded bed if you are patient.

The tube comes from our grower and is not always in stock. When it shows as sold out, the grower has none right now, and the notify button on this page will email you the day it is back.

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

• Palm trees for gardens and pots
• Low light indoor plants
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• Guide to palm tree varieties

Common questions

How fast does Parlour Palm grow?

Slowly, which is why it stays manageable in a pot for years. The larger pot sizes save time if you want a good-sized plant sooner.

Can it live outdoors?

Yes, in a shady, frost free position in tropical, subtropical and mild warm temperate gardens. In cooler places keep it in a pot and bring it inside when the nights turn cold.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually dry air, uneven watering or hot direct sun. Move it out of the sun, keep the soil evenly moist and trim the brown tips.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

It is generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a common choice for family homes.