How to Grow and Care for Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea erumpens) Indoors
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Botanical name: Chamaedorea erumpens
Family: Arecaceae
Sufamily: Arecoideae
Common name: Bamboo Palm
Description
Chamaedorea erumpens commonly called Bamboo Palm is an easy palm to grow indoors and is also known to be a good indoor air cleaner.
The yellowish bamboo-like canes and beautiful deep-green broad leaflets make Bamboo Palm stand out as a focal point plant.
Chamaedorea erumpens belongs to a group of palms called cane palms which produce tall reed-like stems which look like bamboo-like canes when mature.
Size
Chamaedorea erumpens can grow to a height of 6-10 ft under good conditions but Bamboo Palm grows slowly and may take a few years to reach the average height of 6ft.
Flower
Once grown and mature apart from being attractive, Chamaedorea erumpens also produces flowers followed by bright-orange fruits.
The Bamboo Palm fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate skin; wear gloves when handling and are also toxic to humans and pets.
Origin
Chamaedorea erumpens (Bamboo Palm) is native to the tropical forests of Central and Northeastern Mexico as an understory plant.
Air Purifying
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Chamaedorea erumpens was found to get rid of common VOCs like xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene from indoor air.
Where to Buy
These magnificent Bamboo Palms are available online at Etsy. Buy Bamboo Palms (Chamaoderea erumpens) online from Etsy.
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Chamaoderea erumpens Care Indoors
Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) care indoors is easy when provided with the right growing conditions. It thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding.
Bamboo Palm has no need for increased humidity apart from where the temperatures are very high. It requires warmth and needs to be protected from cold drafts. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Bamboo Palm grows best in bright, indirect light. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Too much light will cause the palm to develop a yellowish color. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Watering
Water Bamboo Palm thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Use chlorine-free water to water the palm; like all palms Bamboo Palm is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Avoid getting the base wet to prevent rotting. Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the palm.
Temperature
Bamboo Palm grows best in an average warmth with a minimum of 120C. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for the palm.
Keep it away from cold draughts as it does not like too cold temperatures. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity
Bamboo Palm has no need for high humidity. However, it benefits from occasional misting of the leaves during the hot season.
Occasionally clean the mature leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pests infestation. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Bamboo Palm monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing period.
Do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time as it can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the palm.
To get rid of any accumulated chemicals from the soil, run a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Let it run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Repotting
Repot Bamboo Palm at the beginning of the growing season only when the palm has become root-bound as it does not like root disturbance.
Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
Soil
The best soil for Bamboo Palm should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this palm. Buy quality Potting Mix for Chamaoderea erumpens from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Bamboo Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the palm neat and tidy.
Where the seeds are required for propagation, allow the fruits to mature and drop then cut away the spent flower stalk.
If the seeds are not required, cut away the flower stalk immediately to prevent the palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) propagation can be done in three ways. These methods are from seeds, offshoots or by plant division.
How to propagate Bamboo Palm from seeds
Bamboo Palm propagation from seeds is difficult and may take up to 4-6 months.
Sow the seeds in moist soil and place the set up in a brightly-lit, warm place, at about 300C.
Maintain the soil moist through out the period until germination takes place.
Lower the temperature slightly after germination and maintain the soil moist until the new Bamboo Palms are well established.
How to propagate Bamboo Palm from offshoots
Bamboo Palm is clumping palm which produces offshoots at the base which can be used to propagate new plants.
Carefully cut the offshoot from the mother palm. Ensure that the offshoot has adequate roots before seperating it from the mother.
Pot the offshoot in its own pot, place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist through out.
Allow the new Bamboo Palm to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Bamboo Palm by plant division
During repotting, divide the Bamboo Palm into sections and pot the sections in individual pots.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Bamboo Palm to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
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Chamaoderea erumpens Problems Indoors
Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) problems indoors are brought about by issues in watering, humidity and temperature. They include brown leaf tips, yellowing, brown leaves, leaf spots, diseases and pests. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Brown leaf tips
Bamboo Palm brown leaf tips are caused by four possible reasons. Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors to keep the palm neat and tidy.
One reason for brown leaf tips in Bamboo Palm is dry air. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown leaf tips in Bamboo Palm is underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third reason for brown leaf tips in Bamboo Palm is cold draughts. Protect the palm from cold draughts or keep it away from draughts inorder to maintain an average warmth with a minimum of 120C.
The fourth reason for brown leaf tips in Bamboo Palm is damage by touching. Keep the palm away from the line of traffic.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots in Bamboo Palm may be due to two reasons. Cut away the affected parts and discard. One reason is overwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season.
Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The second reason for brown leaf spots in Bamboo Palm is sudden decrease in temperature due to cold draughts.
Protect it from cold draughts or keep it away from draughts inorder to maintain an average warmth with a minimum of 120C.
Yellowing leaves
Bamboo Palm yellowing leaves are due to underwatering. Water it thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaves
The lower leaves in Bamboo Palm may turn brown and droop due to age; remove by cutting and not pulling. However, if browning is general and accompanied by rotting the reason is root-rot disease due to soggy soil.
Pests
Bamboo Palm pests; red spider mites, scales and mealy bugs.
Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests. Isolate the affected palm to prevent spread to other houseplants.
Is Bamboo Palm toxic?
The foliage of Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) is non-toxic to both humans and pets. However, the fruits (berries) are highly poisonous to both humans and pets.
It is important to prevent flowering by removing the flower stalks when they begin to form. The fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling the berries.
Related Chamaedorea Species
- Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm)
- Chamaedorea seifrizii (Reed Palm)
