About
Chamaedorea elegans is a perennial palm characterized by its narrow, feather-like leaves that can reach lengths of up to 60 centimeters and feature as many as 40 elongated leaflets. Mature specimens produce small yellow flowers that emerge in terminal clusters.
About the genus
Chamaedorea consists of evergreen palms characterized by slender, either solitary or clustered stems. These palms feature large leaves that can be either pinnate or resemble a fish tail. The flowers, which are not particularly noticeable, emerge in panicles or spikes beneath the leaves and are succeeded by small fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants, Palms
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Mexico to Guatemala
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-free compost in full light but with protection from strong sun. In the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. See Chamaedorea for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing seed in spring at 25°C
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and thrips
- Disease resistance
- False smut may attack leaves