Also known as the Neanthe Bella palm, the parlor palm is a slow-growing plant that traces its origins to the rain forests of southern Mexico and Guatemala. The plant was especially popular during the Victorian era as it could easily survive the ever-changing climates of the period's temperate households, which did not yet have heat or air-conditioning. The parlor palm is an air-purifying plant and mainly filters formaldehyde.
PROFILE
DIFFICULTY
No-fuss maintenance. Highly recommended for beginners or those with a "black thumb".
SIZE
Medium to large. Due to this plant's slow growth it can take years to reach full size at around 3-4 feet. Most indoor specimens only reach about 2-3 feet.
TOXICITY
Safe for animals and humans.
IDEAL GROWING CONDITIONS
WATER | weekly waterings
Allow soil to dry between waterings. On average, watering once a week should be sufficient. Make sure water is room temperature to avoid shocking your plant.
CLIMATE | average humidity; average temperature
Suggested temperatures are between 65-80°F / 18-26°C. Temperatures cooler than 50°F / 10°C have the potential to cause damage, so avoid drafty windows. Most indoor climates suit this plant just fine.
LIGHT | bright, indirect sunlight
Direct sun will scorch leaves, so keep parlor palms out of hot rays or sit them behind window sheers. They can also tolerate low light as long as they see at least a little bit of sun.
PARLOR PALM MAINTENANCE | "A recipe for growing a healthy, happy parlor palm in the comfort of your own home."
YOU WILL NEED:
Well-draining soil
A pot with good drainage
Liquid fertilizer
Filtered water or rainwater (tap works fine if you let it sit overnight first)
Pruning shears or scissors
DIRECTIONS:
First, make sure your plant is comfortable in its environment by making sure both the soil and the pot it lives in allow for good drainage; lack of drainage increases the chances of root rot.
Second, make sure that you're fertilizing your plant once a month during its growing season. A parlor palm's typical growing season is during spring and summer when it gets the most sunlight.
Like other palms, it is important to only prune when parts of the plant have died naturally and are impossible to recover. Palms in general tend to be slow growers, so pruning healthy, green fronds can halt growth altogether. However, it is fine to trim away dead fronds during the plant's dormant period. Remove brown leaves from the stems as needed.Parlor palms have delicate root systems so it's suggested to grow bunches of them in one pot so that they can reinforce each other (and also create a fuller appearance).
Despite the fragility of the roots, within the first few years of your parlor palm's life you should repot once a year. When the plant reaches maximum height it can go a few years at a time without repotting as long as yearly maintenance is kept on the top soil layers.
PARLOR PALM HEALTH CONCERNS
SECTIONS BROWNING / DYING
It is perfectly normal for large sections of the plant to die naturally every once in a while. However, if this is happening rapidly throughout the entire plant it can be an indication of poor health.
PALE, FADED LEAVES
This is the "dying" stage where your palm transfers resources away from choice sections to support new growth. This is normal; wait for this section to die completely before you remove the discolored material.
YELLOW LEAVES
Yellow leaves means your palm is hungry or thirsty, so water, fertilize, or repot depending on which you've neglected.
BROWN LEAF TIPS
Brown tips indicate a dry environment, which means your parlor palm may be craving humidity. Also be sure that your plant isn't sitting near a drafty window or air conditioner.
BROWN SPOTS / BLOTCHES
Your plant may be too cold or it is being over watered. Remember that parlor palms are technically tropical plants, so they enjoy warm climates. Their roots are susceptible to root rot, so if leaf damage is severe check the plant's roots.
PESTS
Mites are the most common pests for the parlor palm. The presence of these pests are made obvious by silvery, sticky webs.
TREATING YOUR PARLOR PALM
PRUNING
Avoid pruning unless it's absolutely necessary, as over-pruning a parlor palm can halt growth. Remove dead leaves and dead fronds during the dormant period by cutting off brown areas with sterilized shears or scissors. Avoid cutting green material altogether. Infected/blighted areas may require more immediate pruning.
PESTS
Spray leaves with a diluted insecticide. Neem oil spray is gentle and treats for a large variety of pests. Homemade dish soap sprays combat mites and aphids. Any sprays using peppers, ginger, or other sources of capsaicin help deter mites.
ROOT ROT
Take your plant out of its pot, rinse the roots, and leave roots naked to dry. Trim any clear, soggy roots and repot. Depending on the amount of rot, your plant may be beyond rescue as this condition is often most fatal.
ROOT BOUND
A root bound palm is an unhappy one. This is perhaps the only time you should repot a mature parlor palm as they don't like being repotted otherwise.
VIRIDESCENT THUMB
June 26, 2020
Plant care guide 2:
Parlor Palm
For indoor plant guides, plant inspiration, and more, follow @viridescentthumb on Tumblr.
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