Parlor palm is a small palm widely grown as a houseplant in the United States. Its arching leaves have narrow leaflets, and it prefers indirect light. Each plant normally has one slender stem, and growers often put several plants in one pot.
Appearance
Growth form
Each plant normally has one slender green stem, but growers often put several plants in one pot.
Leaves
The arching leaves carry many narrow leaflets and are usually smaller and finer than those of an areca palm (Dypsis lutescens).
Flowers
Older plants may produce small yellowish flower clusters among the leaves.
Fruit
Black, round fruits can form, though they are rare indoors.
Areca palm grows several thicker, yellow green canes from one base and has much larger arching leaves. A parlor palm has one thin stem per plant; several plants may share a pot.
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) forms a clump of many cane like stems. Parlor palm has one stem per plant, although a crowded pot may hide this difference.
Why they get mixed up · Both are small Chamaedorea palms sold for indoor shade.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
indoor pots
shaded warm landscapes
Range
Native from Mexico to Honduras. In the United States it is widely grown indoors; in warm southern areas it can also grow outdoors.
Preferred conditions
Give it indirect light and a well drained potting mix. Outdoors it needs shade.