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Plant care

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm (Glaucous Parlour Palm) care

Chamaedorea glaucifolia

Also called Blue-leaved Parlour Palm, Glaucous Parlour Palm, Blue Chamaedorea.

RHS H2USDA 9b–11Pet-safeIndoor Can reach 4–5 m tall in warm outdoor conditions

Watering rhythm

7-10days

Every 7–10 days in summer, every 14 days in winter

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Fertile, well-draining loam-based mix

Humidity

50–65%

Temp

15–30°C (min 2°C briefly)

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

Can reach 4–5 m tall in warm outdoor conditions

Care at a glance

Light

Bright but filtered. Blue-leaved Parlour Palm burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. More sun-tolerant than most parlour palms; best in bright filtered light or dappled shade, though it can handle some direct morning sun — avoid searing midday direct sun which can bleach the glaucous leaf colour. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering blue-leaved parlour palm: every 7–10 days in summer, every 14 days in winter. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Water regularly to keep the compost moist but well-aerated; this fast-growing species is a heavier drinker than smaller Chamaedorea and wilts noticeably when too dry.

Soil and pot

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm grows best in fertile, well-draining loam-based mix. Being native to limestone slopes, it tolerates a slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5); a rich loam-based mix with perlite and added lime chips if needed suits it well. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm sits happiest at around 50–65% humidity and 15–30°C (min 2°C briefly) (59–86°F (min 36°F briefly)). Prefers moderate to high humidity reflecting its moist forest habitat; regular misting helps maintain the glaucous leaf bloom and reduces spider mite risk in dry indoor environments. If you keep the room above 15–30°C (min 2°C briefly) year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed blue-leaved parlour palm sparingly. Apply a balanced palm fertiliser monthly during the growing season; this is one of the faster-growing Chamaedorea and responds noticeably to regular feeding in spring and summer. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on blue-leaved parlour palm in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Overwatering and root rot — Despite its vigorous growth, sitting water around roots causes rapid root rot; always use containers with drainage holes and tip away excess water from saucers promptly.
  • Bleaching of glaucous leaf colour — Prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight bleaches the characteristic silvery-blue leaf sheen to pale yellow-green; move to a position with filtered light if this occurs.

Propagation

Seed only; sow fresh seeds at 25–28°C with bottom heat in moist peat-free compost. This species germinates relatively quickly compared to many Chamaedorea, typically within 2–4 months. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm is pet-safe. The ASPCA lists Chamaedorea species (under common names including Parlor Palm and Bamboo Palm) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. No toxic principles are identified. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Chamaedorea glaucifolia?

Chamaedorea glaucifolia is most commonly called Blue-leaved Parlour Palm, but it is also known as Blue-leaved Parlour Palm, Glaucous Parlour Palm, Blue Chamaedorea. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Blue-leaved Parlour Palm apply identically to anything sold as Glaucous Parlour Palm.

How much light does blue-leaved parlour palm need?

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). More sun-tolerant than most parlour palms; best in bright filtered light or dappled shade, though it can handle some direct morning sun — avoid searing midday direct sun which can bleach the glaucous leaf colour.

How often should I water blue-leaved parlour palm?

Water blue-leaved parlour palm every 7–10 days in summer, every 14 days in winter. Water regularly to keep the compost moist but well-aerated; this fast-growing species is a heavier drinker than smaller Chamaedorea and wilts noticeably when too dry. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is blue-leaved parlour palm toxic to cats and dogs?

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm is pet-safe. The ASPCA lists Chamaedorea species (under common names including Parlor Palm and Bamboo Palm) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. No toxic principles are identified.

What USDA hardiness zone does blue-leaved parlour palm grow in?

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm is rated for USDA zone 9b–11 and RHS hardiness H2. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm deep-dive guides

Every aspect of blue-leaved parlour palm care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm qualifies for 8 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Blue-leaved Parlour Palm is also known as Blue-leaved Parlour Palm, Glaucous Parlour Palm, and Blue Chamaedorea.