Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

The Parlour Palm is one of the most popular and enduring indoor palms, cherished since the Victorian era for its graceful, arching fronds and easy-going nature. Chamaedorea elegans is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced plant lovers alike, thriving in lower light conditions where many other houseplants struggle. Its elegant, feathery foliage brings a lush, tropical feel to any room.

This variety is well known for its air-purifying qualities and is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a wonderful choice for pet-friendly households. Slow-growing and compact, the Parlour Palm is perfectly suited to tabletops, shelves, desks and shaded corners throughout the home or office.

Key Features:

• Pet safe – non-toxic to cats and dogs


• Thrives in low to medium indirect light


• Excellent air-purifying houseplant


• Low maintenance and beginner friendly


• Supplied as a live plant in a 17cm pot

Plant Care:

• Place in a position with low to medium indirect light; avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves


• Water when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry, allowing excess water to drain away freely


• Avoid overwatering – Parlour Palms prefer slightly moist but never waterlogged soil


• Mist the foliage occasionally or place near other plants to maintain moderate humidity


• Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser once a month during spring and summer


• Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free and healthy

Cultural Information:

• Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans


• Common Names: Parlour Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm


• Classification: Tender evergreen palm


• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Up to 1.2 m × 1 m (when grown indoors)


• Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming with Graceful Arching Fronds


• Perfect For: Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Offices, Bathrooms, Shaded Corners


• Light Requirements: Low to Medium Indirect Light


• Watering: Moderate – Allow Top Soil to Dry Between Waterings


• Temperature: 18–24°C (Minimum 12°C)


• Humidity: Moderate – Benefits from Occasional Misting


• Pet Safe: Yes – Non-Toxic to Cats and Dogs


• Type: Tender Evergreen Indoor Palm


• Foliage: Elegant, Pinnate Fronds with Slender, Light Green Leaflets


• RHS Hardiness Rating: H1a (under glass all year)