Parlor palm care: light, water, and pet safety

Chamaedorea elegans

Care table

Light	Low light to bright indirect light. Low to medium light. Direct sun yellows the fronds.
Water	Water when the top inch dries. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity	Prefers 40 to 50 percent or more
Repotting	Every 2 to 3 years in spring. It likes to be a bit root bound.

Winter care

Growth slows. Let the soil dry a little further between waterings, stop fertilizer until spring, and keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Parlor Palm

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Brown, crispy leaf tips: Dry air, uneven watering, or salt buildup from fertilizer. Flush the pot with plain water a few times a year.
Fine webbing, speckled leaves: Spider mites, worse in dry heated air. Rinse leaves and raise humidity.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool