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Parlour Palm

Parlour Palm

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About This Plant

The Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is native to the rainforests of southern Mexico and Guatemala. Its a tolerant palms for Canadian indoor conditions. Adapting to a range of light levels, and is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people.

Genuinely tolerates low light, including offices and dim corners.

The Parlour Palm is one of the few true palms that adapts to low indirect light. It thrives in the kind of ambient light typical of offices, hallways, and rooms without strong direct sun. This makes it one of the most versatile tropical palms for Canadian homes, where winter light levels drop significantly from October through March.

Pet-safe and safe for the whole household.

Chamaedorea elegans is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people. It is one of the very few palm species that is genuinely safe in a home with curious pets or small children. For other pet-safe companions, the Pachira Money Tree and Peace Lily are popular pairings.

Slow-growing and stays a manageable size.

The Parlour Palm grows slowly indoors, typically reaching 2 to 4 feet over many years. It will not outgrow a shelf or desk position quickly and needs repotting only every few years. It prefers being slightly root-bound, which means less frequent repotting maintenance than faster-growing tropical plants.

Winter Slowdown

Growth slows or pauses from November through March as light levels drop in Canadian homes. Reduce watering frequency and stop fertilizing until April. Keep the plant away from heating vents and cold drafts. The dry forced-air heat typical in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward is the most common cause of brown frond tips in winter. A pebble tray or occasional misting helps maintain adequate humidity through the heating season.

Toxicity

Chamaedorea elegans is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people. It is one of the safest houseplants available for homes with pets and children.

Pests

Spider mites are the most common pest, particularly in dry indoor air from November through March. They appear as fine webbing on the undersides of fronds and along the frond stems. Check frond undersides at each watering. Treat early by wiping fronds with a damp cloth or spraying with diluted neem oil. Keeping humidity adequate through winter reduces spider mite risk significantly.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Peace Lily.

For a flowering tropical houseplant that also tolerates lower light and is pet-safe, the Peace Lily is one of the most popular companions for the Parlour Palm in a Canadian home.

Pachira Money Tree.

For a larger, pet-safe statement plant with a sculptural braided trunk suited to a bright corner, the Pachira Money Tree is a natural companion for a pet-friendly Canadian living room.

Peperomia Green Ripple.

For a very compact, low-maintenance pet-safe plant for a desk or shelf, the Peperomia Green Ripple thrives in similar indirect light conditions and pairs well with the Parlour Palm in a bright Canadian room.

Common Questions

How much light does a Parlour Palm need?

Bright to medium indirect light is ideal, but the Parlour Palm genuinely tolerates low light. It adapts to positions away from windows, offices with fluorescent lighting, and rooms that receive only ambient light. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the fronds. In a Canadian winter when daylight is short and low-angle, a position near any window is sufficient to keep the plant healthy.

How often should I water my Parlour Palm?

Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry. In spring and summer that is roughly every 7 to 10 days. In a Canadian winter, reduce to every 10 to 14 days as growth slows and the plant needs less water. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline in Parlour Palms.

Why are the tips of my Parlour Palm fronds turning brown?

Brown frond tips are almost always caused by low humidity or dry soil. The forced-air heating used in Canadian homes from October through April drops indoor humidity significantly. A pebble tray filled with water placed under the pot, or a humidifier nearby, helps maintain the humidity the Parlour Palm prefers. Also check that the soil is not drying out completely between waterings. Trim brown tips with clean scissors if they affect the appearance.

Is the Parlour Palm toxic to cats and dogs?

No. Chamaedorea elegans is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people. It is one of the safest houseplants available for homes with pets and children. It is a common recommendation specifically for pet-owning households that want a tropical plant without the toxicity concerns of many other palms and tropicals.

How fast does the Parlour Palm grow indoors?

Slowly. The Parlour Palm is a naturally slow grower, gaining a few inches per year under good indoor conditions. It typically reaches 2 to 4 feet indoors over several years. It needs repotting only every 2 to 3 years and prefers being slightly root-bound, which means it is one of the lower-maintenance palms in terms of repotting frequency.

Good to Know

Repotting: Every 2 to 3 years, prefers slightly root-bound

The Parlour Palm grows slowly and does not need frequent repotting. It prefers being slightly root-bound. Repot only when roots are clearly emerging from drainage holes.

Light: Bright to low indirect, no direct sun

Adapts to a wide range of indirect light, including offices and dim corners. Avoid direct sun, which scorches fronds. A position near any window works well in Canadian winters.

Water: When top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry

Water thoroughly and allow to drain completely. Never let the plant sit in standing water. Reduce frequency in winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline.

Humidity: Average to higher, pebble tray in winter

Normal household humidity is adequate but the plant prefers slightly higher humidity. From November through March when Canadian heating dries the air, a pebble tray or humidifier prevents brown frond tips.

Pet Friendly: Yes, safe for cats, dogs, and people

Chamaedorea elegans is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people. One of the safest tropical houseplants for households with pets and children.

Pro Tip

A monthly wipe of both sides of each frond with a damp cloth keeps the plant clean, maximizes the light it can absorb, and removes the early-stage mite presence. This helps avoid a full infestation.


What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping.

View our complete guarantee policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March, you can add Winter Shipping Protection at checkout. It adds insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from the cold in transit. Cold damage is only covered if it's added to your order.

You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If your plant arrives damaged, has pests, or starts to decline within 30 days, we'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping. 

Change of mind, repotted or trimmed plants, and cold damage without Winter Shipping Protection aren't covered. See our full Return Policy

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Plant care essentials

Everything you need to keep this plant thriving.

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