About
Chamaedorea radicalis is a compact, evergreen palm often favored as an indoor plant. In regions of the UK with milder climates, it can be cultivated outdoors, provided it is shielded from extended periods of cold and frost. The plant features elongated, slender stems topped with dark green, feathery leaves, typically growing to approximately 2 meters in height. During mid to late spring, mature specimens may yield clusters of tiny yellow flowers, although these are vulnerable to frost damage. If both male and female plants are grown together, round, orange fruits may develop in the autumn.
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
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants, Palms
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- NE Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in pots of peat-free multipurpose compost in bright, filtered light with protection from direct summer sun. Water moderately in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed every month during the growing season; mist daily to increase humidity. 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, thrips and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free