Chamaedorea Elegans

Parlour Palm / Parlor Palm / Bella Palm

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
Family: Arecaceae
Origin: Southern Mexico & Guatemala (montane/forest understory)
Plant Type: Evergreen clustering palm (indoor/outdoor shade plant)

Overview

A classic, low-light palm with fine, arching fronds that thrives indoors across Adelaide and in frost-free, shaded outdoor spots. Ideal for homes, offices and sheltered courtyards, it prefers bright indirect light, consistent moisture and good drainage. On the Adelaide Plains it can also grow outside in dappled shade; in the Hills, treat as a houseplant or move pots under cover for winter.

Key Features

• Mature Size: Indoors 0.8–1.5 m H × 0.6–1.0 m W; outdoors in sheltered SA sites 1.5–2.0 m H
• Growth Rate: 10–25 cm/year (slow–moderate)
• Foliage: Graceful, feathery deep-green fronds on slender canes; naturally dense/clumping
• Flowers: Small, yellowish panicles (rare indoors; not showy); may set small berries if pollinated
  
• Seasonal Interest: Refined, evergreen texture year-round; excellent indoor greenery in winter
• Wildlife Value: Outdoors provides light shelter for beneficial insects; indoors improves ambience/greenery
• Tolerance: Handles low light and indoor heating; not frost-tolerant (protect below ~2–3 °C); dislikes hot, direct afternoon sun and drying winds; average indoor humidity is fine (higher humidity preferred)
• Planting Density: Indoors: one plant per pot (140–300 mm+). Shaded borders/courtyards: 3–5 plants/m² for a lush screen
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs (ingestion of any plant may upset tummies)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Bright, indirect light to dappled shade; avoid harsh Adelaide afternoon sun
• Soil: Premium well-drained potting mix (indoors) or rich, free-draining loam (outdoors); add compost and a little perlite for aeration
• Water Needs: Establishment: keep evenly moist for 8–12 weeks (don’t saturate). Established: water when top 2–3 cm of mix is dry—about weekly in warm weather (twice weekly in heatwaves), less in winter
• Maintenance: Remove spent/brown fronds at the base; don’t cut green fronds. Wipe or shower leaves to remove dust. Feed lightly with slow-release indoor fertiliser in spring and early summer. Repot every 2–3 years as clumps thicken
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in containers with basic care
• Climate Zones: Best as an indoor plant across SA; suitable outdoors only in frost-free microclimates on the Adelaide Plains/coastal areas; not suited to Hills frosts
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (tolerates slightly alkaline in pots with quality mix)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Lush indoor specimen for living rooms, bedrooms, offices
• Bathrooms/ensuites (bright, steamy light) or shaded courtyards
• Under-pergola pots with other shade lovers (aspidistra, philodendron)
• Entryways and covered patios protected from winter chills

Why You Will Love It

Elegant, low-light-friendly and pet-safe, the Parlour Palm brings easy, year-round greenery to Adelaide homes and sheltered courtyards—minimal fuss, maximum calm.