Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm Chamaedorea elegans
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Collinia elegans
- Neanthe bella
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ee-DOR-ee-uh ELL-eh-ganz
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Bamboo Palm is a subtropical palm, upright, spreading, and multistemmed growing up to 7' in indoor environments. It is one of the most sought-after indoor palms because it thrives in interior conditions that other plants cannot tolerate. The leaves spread out attractively and have a drooping form. When grown outdoors in a temperate zone, it can reach 6-7 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide; as a houseplant, they grow only between 2-7 feet tall.
They need bright indirect light and low to medium humidity levels, though they can tolerate low-light conditions. Try to keep near a north- or east-facing window if possible for optimal light levels. This plant has been shown to remove indoor air pollutants. Overwatering can be a problem, so be sure to plant in well-drained soil and let the soil dry slightly out between waterings. It can tolerate drought and dry soil but prefers moist soil. Repot only when necessary; generally, every other year is enough. Protect from cold drafts near windows, doors, or vents, and regularly mist the leaves if kept in a heated room. Plant in a peaty container mix and fertilize 2 times during the growing season and none in the winter. It is safe for pets.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Red spider mites and mealybugs are potential insects that can cause problems. Misting and cleaning with a damp cloth can prevent or remove these from the plant.
Quick ID Hints:
- Even pinnately compound leaf; fused terminal pinnae
- Base of petiole thick and fleshy
- Stem erect and thickened, bamboo-like
- Leaflets thin, high L/W ratio
It can be distinguished from C. erumpens by its leaflets appearing thinner and longer (higher L/W ratio).
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bella'
- 'Bella'
- 'Bella'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bella'
- 'Bella'
- 'Bella'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaedorea
- Species:
- elegans
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Honduras
- Edibility:
- The inflorescences are battered and fried in parts of South America.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round, fleshy black fruit may occasionally appear, though rarely when grown indoors. The rachis will turn red-orange.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- After a few years of growth will produce small, light yellow, yellow, or orange-red odorous flowers on irregularly branched stems that grow below or among the leaf (interfoliar). They emerge from the trunk as lateral buds and open in the form of clusters of small balls without petals. The rachis is green and branched and the branch bracts papery and overlapping.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 8-inch long light green, arching to drooping, evenly pinnate fronds, 11-20 narrow leaflets per leaf. The leaflets are lanceolate-linear in shape and the terminal pair is usually fused together at the base. The petiole is thin with a thick, fleshy base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green stems can become woody with age. Erect, slender, to 3/4" diameter, bamboo-like.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
