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Arecaceae
Parlour Palm Flower
Chamaedorea elegans
Victorian elegance and patient endurance.
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Genus
- Chamaedorea
- Native to
- Mexico, Guatemala
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- evergreen palm
- Height
- 60–200 cm
- Sunlight
- low to medium indirect light
- Soil
- well-drained, peat-based
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 10–12
- Lifespan
- perennial; decades indoors
Did you know
- It became one of the most popular houseplants during the Victorian era, displayed in formal parlours — hence the name.
- It is one of the few palms that will flower readily indoors, producing sprays of tiny yellow bead-like flowers.
- NASA's Clean Air Study found it effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene from indoor air.
- Despite being a tropical palm, it tolerates very low light conditions that would stress most palms.
- Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, so two plants are needed for viable seed production.
Color meanings
Yellow
quiet contentment
Orange
warm hospitality