How to take care of a Parlor Palm
A Palm, and the Parlor Palm especially, is a great first plant to start your plant collection. They're plants that are great for those darker places in your house where not a lot of other plants can grow. Palms are low-maintainance plants and they're also quite forgiving plants. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know to take care of your Parlor Palm.
These are the most important aspects of taking care of palms:
It's not a difficult plant to take care of, so let's highlight everything you need to know to successfully take care of your Parlor palm.
Watering your Parlor palm
The Parlor palm is a plant that likes moist soil but also likes to dry out before watering it again. This palm doesn't store a lot of moisture in its stems, so it relies on the soil to provide it with everything it needs. This means that you should let the soil dry out, but you can't let your Parlor palm sit in dry soil for more than a few days.
How often should you water a Parlor palm?
First, it's important to let the soil dry out slightly before watering again. This usually takes about a week or so, depending on the humidity and temperature of your home. You can check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger about an inch or two below the surface. If it feels dry, it's time to water. If it's still moist, wait a few days and repeat this until the soil is dry. When the soil is dry, you can water your Parlor palm.
When you do water, be sure to do so thoroughly. Water until it begins to seep out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the roots are getting enough water without sitting in standing water, which can lead to root rot.
How do you know how often to water a Parlor palm?
If you're trying to find out how often you should water your Parlor palm, you should ask yourself these questions:
- Is my Parlor palm in a pot that's just a little bigger than the palm's root system?
- Is my Parlor palm in a warm/bright spot?
- Do I have soil that retains water well?
These questions will help you to figure out if you need to water more often or less often. If you have a small Parlor palm in a large pot, you won't have to water it as often, as it takes much longer for the soil to dry out. If your Parlor Palm is in a warm/bright spot, the moisture in the soil will evaporate more quickly than it would if your palm is in a darker spot.
Then the soil, which we'll go over together in a later section, is also an important factor when figuring out how often to water your plant. If your soil retains water for a long time and doesn't drain as well, you'll have to water less often. If you have well-draining soil, you'll have to water more often.
Sunlight exposure of your Parlor palm
A Parlor Palm, as opposed to some other palms, prefers a darker spot in your house. This small palm doesn't tolerate direct sunlight at all, as this will burn its leaves. A spot that's too bright for your Parlor Palm will turn its darker green leaves light green and/or yellow.
The Parlor palm doesn't tolerate direct sunlight, so exposing your plant to direct sunlight will cause sunburns on your palm's leaves. These sunburns are permanent, unfortunately, and look like this:
When you see this happening to your Parlor palm, be sure to move it to a darker spot. You can trim off any of the burned leaves, as these won't return to their normal green color. Trimming off the burned leaves will give some nutrients back to your plant, which helps it to grow new leaves.
With the perfect light exposure, the leaves will look like this:
The leaves should be darker green, so you know it's not getting too much light. When your leaves look like this image, you know it's getting the perfect amount of light. You can see if your Parlor palm is getting the right light by checking young leaves.
Older leaves that have turned light green and yellow won't turn back to darker green. By looking at the new leaves that your Parlor palm is growing, you can determine if your plant is now getting the right amount of sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
Parlor palms are popular houseplants that can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions. However, to make sure your plant has the best growth and reduces the risk of pest infestations or diseases, it's important to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity levels.
For parlor palms, the ideal temperature range is between 18 - 26 degrees Celcius (65 F to 80 F). These plants are sensitive to temperature changes, so avoid exposing them to cold drafts or hot air blowing from a heater or air conditioner. It's best to keep them in a room that stays within this temperature range throughout the year.
For humidity, parlor palms prefer medium to high levels, ranging from 40% to 60%. To maintain this humidity level, you can use a humidifier or place a tray of water near the plant. If the air is too dry, the leaves may turn brown and crispy.
The best soil for your Parlor palm
Earlier in this guide, I quickly mentioned the soil for your Parlor palm and the effect it has on how often you need to water your plant. The ideal soil for your Parlor palm is soil that retains water for a few days. This type of soil is perfect for the Parlor palm, as it loves the soil to be moist. Luckily, Parlor Palms aren't too picky about soil, so you have plenty of options.
Use a light, airy soil
The most important aspect of the soil for your parlor palm is that the soil you're using doesn't compact too much when it's moist. Compacted soil makes it very difficult for oxygen to reach your Parlor palm's roots. This will cause root rot, even without overwatering your plant. You can prevent your soil from compacting too much by adding wood chips, Perlite, or pumice.
So soil that compacts too much over time can cause root rot, this is why it's also important to avoid heavy soils that don't drain well, as this can also lead to root rot. Instead, pick a light, well-draining soil mix that allows water to flow through easily. You can help the soil to retain more water by adding peat moss or vermiculite and improve the drainage, by adding the perlite and pumice I've already mentioned.
Provide excellent drainage
Your Parlor palm can't sit in wet soil, because this will also cause root rot over time. You can avoid having your Parlor palm sit in wet soil by adding some elements to your soil to promote great drainage. These things include Leca, Perlite, and Pumice. These things will help the excess water to escape the pot more quickly, so you're less likely to overwater your plant.
If you don't feel like mixing your own potting soil, you can buy pre-made palm soil mixes in your local gardening stores, both methods are great. The most important parts of the soil you're going to use for your Parlor palm are these:
- It should not compact
- It should drain excess water quickly
- It should retain water well to stay moist for a few days
When you get all of these parts right with your pre-made soil from the store or your own mix, you've set your Parlor Palm up for success. Be sure to choose a pot with good drainage holes, and avoid over-watering your Parlor Palm, as this can also lead to root rot. With the right soil and care, your Parlor Palm will thrive and bring a touch of natural beauty to any indoor space.
Fertilizing your Parlor palm
Your Parlor Palm gets all of its nutrients from the soil and grows fairly quickly. However, a Parlor Palm is also a small plant that doesn't grow as big as its cousins like the Areca Palm. Since it's a small plant, you won't need to fertilize your Parlor palm a lot.
As a general rule, you should fertilize your palm once every two to three months during the growing season (spring and summer). A slow-release fertilizer is the perfect choice to fertilize this plant. You'll only need to fertilize a few times per year, but the slow-release fertilizer will be used as it's needed.
Using a liquid fertilizer
If your Parlor palm is planted in brand-new soil, you won't have to fertilize it for the first 6 months, as the soil should have plenty of fertilizer in it. Rather than a slow-release fertilizer, you can also use liquid fertilizer to feed your Parlor palm. If you want to use liquid fertilizer, make sure to read the label of the fertilizer to find out how often you should fertilize your plants with it.
Using a slow-release fertilizer
Your Parlor palm is a very efficient plant and doesn't require a lot of nutrients. If you use a slow-release fertilizer, you can add it to the soil at the beginning of spring and summer and you won't have to think about it for the rest of the year. Don't fertilize your Parlor palm during the winter, as it won't absorb most of the fertilizer and this could make the soil too acidic.
When choosing a fertilizer, it's best to use a balanced formula that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). You may also want to use a fertilizer that is specially formulated for palm trees, as it will contain additional micronutrients that your plant needs.
Remember to always follow the instructions on the fertilizer label and avoid over-fertilizing, as this can harm your palm.
Toxicity levels for pets
If you are a pet owner and you are looking for a houseplant, you might wonder whether the Parlor Palm is toxic to your furry friends. I'm happy to tell you that you can relax, as the Parlor Palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs. This means that you can safely enjoy the beauty of this charming palm without having to worry about any harm coming to your pets.
It's worth noting that the Parlor Palm is also known for its air-purifying qualities and can remove pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from the air. So not only will you love the way this plant looks in your home, but it can also help to keep the air healthy and fresh for you and your pets.
New growth on your Parlor palm
When you've taken great care of your Parlor palm consistently, you will start seeing new growth on the Parlor palm during the growing season (spring and summer). The leaves grow and die quickly, so there is quite a lot of new growth during the entire growing season. New leaves on a Parlor Palm grow including a stem. When they grow, they look like straight sticks like this:
These sticks will start to unfold and this is when you'll see the leaf's shape. Don't be surprised if you see 5 or 6 of these sticks pop up at the same time. This plant grows quickly during the spring and summer. You can trim any yellow and brown leaves/stems to give the nutrients back to the plant and promote new growth.
How to encourage new growth
If you want to encourage new growth on your Parlor Palm, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, make sure it's getting enough light. These plants prefer low to medium sunlight so try to place yours near an east or north-facing window.
Next, make sure the soil is properly watered. Over-watering can cause root rot, but too little water can stunt growth. A good rule of thumb is to water thoroughly every 7-10 days and allow the soil to dry out in between watering.
To encourage new growth, you can also fertilize your Parlor Palm. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing during the dormant season (fall and winter). Make sure to check the label of the fertilizer to find the optimal fertilizing schedule.
Regularly removing dead or yellowing leaves can also help promote new growth. This allows your plant to focus its energy on producing new leaves, rather than maintaining damaged ones.
Common signs your Parlor palm is in trouble
In the introduction of this guide, we've covered this plant shows you when it's not doing so well. So in this section, we'll go over some common symptoms and what you can do to help your plant be happy again.
Drooping Parlor palm or wilting leaves
If you notice that your Parlor Palm is drooping, there are a few things you can do to help it bounce back to health. First, check the soil moisture level. Overwatering can cause roots to rot and lead to drooping leaves. Make sure the soil is well-draining and only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. If the soil is still moist, you might be overwatering your Parlor palm. However, if the soil is dry, it's time to water your Parlor palm.
If you're consistently overwatering your Parlor palm, it's very likely root rot will start to develop. This happens because not enough oxygen can reach the roots of your Parlor palm. It's easy to avoid this by letting the soil dry out completely before watering your palm again.
Another potential cause of drooping could be a lack of humidity. Parlor Palms are native to tropical regions and thrive in humid environments. Consider placing a humidifier near your plant, or misting it regularly with water to increase the humidity levels.
You should also consider fertilizing your plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to provide it with essential nutrients and encourage healthy growth.
Yellow and/or light green leaves
If you've noticed that the leaves of your Parlor Palm are turning yellow or light green, don't worry! There are a few common reasons why this might be happening, and in many cases, it can be easily addressed.
Yellow and/or light green leaves are often due to too much sunlight exposure. It could also be due to improper watering. If this is a watering issue, you'll also see the drooping leaves on your plant in addition to the yellow/light green leaves.
If you have non-drooping leaves that are yellow and/or light green, it's sunlight exposure and you'll need to move your plant to a darker place.
Another common cause of yellow or light green leaves is a lack of nutrients. Make sure that you are fertilizing your Parlor Palm regularly, especially during the growing season. Palms require a balanced fertilizer with enough potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in the soil to maintain their health.
The discoloration could also be from pest infestation or disease. Check the leaves and soil for signs of insects or fungal growth, and treat the issue with insecticidal soap. You can buy insecticidal soap at any garden center or make your own by mixing a few drops of dish soap with warm water. Spray the solution all over your parlor palm, making sure to cover the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Repeat this process once a week until the pest infestation is under control.
With a little extra attention and care, you can easily restore your plant's health and keep it looking vibrant and beautiful.
Black spots on your Parlor palm
When you start seeing black spots on the tips of your Parlor palm leaves, you need to move your plant to a darker spot quickly. These black spots are sunburns caused by direct sunlight. You can trim these black spots and give some nutrients back to your plant. These spots won't turn back to green anymore.
Remove any affected leaves to prevent the spread of the fungal infection. Then, make sure your plant is receiving enough light and water. Parlor Palms prefer indirect sunlight and moist soil, but be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot.
Consider adding a fungicide to your watering routine to further prevent the spread of disease. Also, avoid placing your plant near any drafts or air conditioning units as this can cause stress and make it more susceptible to disease.
Brown tips on your Parlor palm
When you've let your Parlor palm dry out for too long, the tips on your palm's leaves will turn brown. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent this problem and keep your Parlor Palm looking healthy and vibrant. You can trim off the brown tips, as these won't turn green again.
Check to make sure that your plant is not being overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which in turn can cause brown tips on the leaves. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and only water your plant when the top inch of soil has become dry to the touch.
Another common cause of brown tips on Parlor Palms is dry air. These plants are native to tropical regions and prefer humidity levels of around 50 percent. If the air in your home is too dry, you may need to increase the humidity around your plant. One way to do this is to place a tray of water near the plant or to use a humidifier.
A last cause is if your plant is getting too much direct sunlight, it may cause the leaves to become scorched and develop brown tips.
Slow growth
If your Parlor Palm isn't growing as quickly as it used to, it could be a sign of inadequate nutrition or lack of light. Try fertilizing your plant with a balanced fertilizer and moving it to a brighter location.
Pest infestations
Spider mites and mealybugs are two common pests that can attack Parlor Palms. If you notice tiny webs or cottony masses on your plant, it's time to take action. Use an organic insecticide or wipe down your plant with soapy water to control the infestation. In the next section, we'll look a little closer at how you can treat pests on your parlor palm.
Treating pests on a Parlor palm
Like any indoor plant, parlor palms can become victims of pests. These pests can damage the leaves, stem, and roots of your parlor palm. But fear not, with a little maintenance and pest control measures, you can keep your parlor palm healthy and pest-free. Here's how you can treat pests on a parlor palm:
Identify the pest
The first step in treating any pest infestation is identifying the pest. Check your parlor palm thoroughly for signs of pests. Look for tiny bugs, webs, spotting or discoloration on the leaves, or visible damage to the plant. Common pests that can infest parlor palms include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.
Isolate the plant
If you have identified pests on your parlor palm, it's important to isolate the plant to prevent the infestation from spreading to other plants in your home. Move the plant to a separate room or area from your other plants.
Remove affected leaves
If your parlor palm has a severe infestation, you may need to remove the affected leaves. Use scissors or pruning shears to cut off any leaves with visible pest damage. Be sure to dispose of these leaves in a sealed bag to prevent the pests from spreading.
Use insecticidal soap
Insecticidal soap is a natural and safe way to control pests on your parlor palm. You can buy insecticidal soap at any garden center or make your own by mixing a few drops of dish soap with warm water. Spray the solution all over your parlor palm, making sure to cover the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Repeat this process once a week until the pest infestation is under control.
Maintain good plant health
Keeping your parlor palm healthy and stress-free can help prevent pest infestations. Make sure your plant is getting the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. Avoid overwatering and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Also, keep your parlor palm away from drafts or extreme temperature changes.
Remember to regularly inspect your parlor palm for signs of pests and take action as soon as you notice anything suspicious.
Conclusion
A Parlor palm is a beautiful addition to any beginner's home. These palms are easy to care for with the proper soil, watering schedule, and light. This plant is not picky about its care compared with other palms, so you won't need to worry if you are new to plant care or worry about killing your plants!
Parlor palms will thrive and provide your home with purified air as well as something beautiful to look at!
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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