Reading Your Palms

No this is not the Psychic Network, it’s the palms in your local garden center. Twenty-five years ago there were only a few palms that were offered in garden centers and nurseries.

The Areca, Neanthe Belle, and Bamboo Palms, were probably the only ones you would find. In some of the more “upscale” nurseries you could locate Kentia’s and Rhapis palms.

Today, all that has changed. Many new varieties are being grown and offered in the garden centers. We now have palms for about every location and use. Tall, short, canopy, solitaire, strange trunks, and the list goes on. It may be a little hard to choose which palm to purchase.

Here is a little advice on palms. Make sure that you pick the right palm for your situation and generally give them as much light as possible.

I’ve heard many complaints on the Ravenea Rivularis also known as the Majesty Palm. In South Florida where they are used in landscape, they require quite a bit of food to keep them looking good. They are fast growers as far as palms go but people just seem to have problems keeping them going.

When you purchase an indoor palm the prices vary greatly and here is why. Palms generally, with some exceptions are produced from seeds. Unlike other tropicals where you can take large cuttings and produce plants of 3 to 5 feet in a matter of 4-16 months depending on the variety, palms take years. Some of the seeds may take up to one year or more to germinate. Palms that are slow growing are more expensive. You are purchasing time, there are no short cuts.

This is from my experience - Palms that Grow Quick - Die Quick.

Palms that grow naturally in full sun seldom do well in the darker settings of the interior. Under-story palms that grow naturally in the shade of other plants perform much better.

There are literally hundreds of beautiful palms, but we find them growing outside in higher light levels or full sun. The choices that you have for indoor use are limited… first by not having sufficient light.

Here is a brief list of some of the palms that are used indoors by the professional interiorscaper.

Chamaedorea seifrizii or ‘Florida Hybrid’ also known as the ‘Bamboo palm’ - usually grown in 10 -14 inch pots with a height of 3 to 6 feet. This palm has 6-12 plants that are planted together in a pot but spaced out. As the plant matures new growths or suckers grow from the base to fill out the plant. The over all height of this plant is 8-12 feet.

When selecting this plant look for plants that have a good root system and sturdy canes. You can expect some thinning in the middle as it acclimates. Plants in 10 inch pots are about 3 years old.

Chamaedorea elegans - Neanthe bella or the ‘Parlor palm’. These palms can be used as stand alone plants but are usually planted in groups. A 3 foot plant would be considered large.

Spider mites are probably one of its biggest problems.

Phoenix Roebelenii - The dwarf pygmy date palm is grown as a single or in triples. It has a very aggressive root system and requires high light. It does produce a thorn on the leaves, so it is best to use the plant in an area that will not have traffic near it.

When purchasing these plants make sure that the root system isn’t busting out the pots.

Rhapis Palm - The Lady Palm. One of my favorites. A slow grower that is capable of reaching a height of 12-14 feet after many years. This plant can be used in some of the darker interiors where it will develop deep black green leaves. Grown as a clump or as an upright columnar specimen. Truly one of the best indoor palms that you will find.

A good estimate of growth is one foot per year.

Kentia Palm - Without a doubt one of the finest indoor palms you can own. Very slow growing. The seeds of this plant have made an industry for the island that the plant orginates from Lord Howe Island.

It is not uncommon for these plants to be 4 to 8 years old before they are sold in 10-inch pots. We find these plants back to the Victorian Days where only the well to do had them in their homes.

Chamaedorea Metallica - A short slow growing palm that is becoming popular as an accent plant. The leaves on this palm are different in that they are one solid leaf with no ‘cuts’ as we see in so many palms. The color is a gray- green, very durable and able to hold up under low light areas.

This isn’t to say that only these palms are the ones that you can use indoors. There are many others. But, before you move on to others that may be more finicky, try some of the tested and proven varieties.

You’ll notice that I didn’t mention a palm that has been around for years, the Areca Palm. This plant has changed over the years. It is still a fast grower. At one time we would find plants with 6-12 plants growing in a pot. These plants could then develop strong root systems and heavier canes.

Today, this same plant is grown with about 40-50 plants. It is sort of like having 40-50 pieces of tall grass. The plants may be full when they are shipped but really don’t have the root system needed to sustain a long life indoors. Why is it that the largest canes of the palm are the last to go?

This is a very quick overview of some palms that you can use indoors. Remember to give them plenty of light and with palms you are buying time.

Palms can change the look and feel of a room. Purchase plants that will fit the need and don’t purchase by price.

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