Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea erumpens) Indoor Care Tips; Light, Watering, Repotting, Pruning, Propagation

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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 care indoor palm which 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 in any space.

Bamboo Palm 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 it grows slowly and may take a few years to reach the average height of 6ft.

Flower

Bamboo Palm also produces flowers followed by bright-orange fruits once grown and mature apart from being attractive.

The fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate skin; wear gloves when handling and are also toxic to humans and pets.

Origin

Chamaedorea erumpens 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 be a good indoor air cleaner which gets rid of common VOCs like xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloethylene.

Toxicity

The foliage of 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 Plants

Chamaedorea erumpens is closely related to Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm) and Chamaedorea seifrizii (Reed Palm).

Where to Buy

Bamboo Palms are great addition to your collection for a tropical feel in your home.

Buy Bamboo Palms online from Etsy

Chamaoderea erumpens Care Indoors

Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding.

Chamaoderea erumpens has no need for increased humidity but it benefits from occasional misting of the leaves during the hot season.

Repotting is done at the beginning of the growing season only when the palm has become pot-bound. Pruning is needed to keep the palm neat as well as reduce pests and diseases. Continue reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

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 to maintain the soil slightly moist 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.

Avoid getting the base wet to prevent rotting and do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the palm.

Light Requirements

Bamboo Palm grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.

Keep it away from too much light as it will cause the palm to develop a yellowish color instead of the beautiful dark-green color.

Chamaoderea erumpens can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Temperature and Humidity

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 Chamaoderea erumpens away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows as they result in too cold temperatures which cause brown leaf tips and spots.

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.

Fertilizer

Feed Bamboo Palm monthly during the growing period with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote a lush growth.

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.

Potting Mix

The best potting medium 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 online from Amazon for your Reed Palm.

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.

Pruning

Pruning Bamboo Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the palm neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations.

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.

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.

Chamaoderea erumpens Common Problems

Bamboo Palm (Chamaoderea erumpens) problems include brown leaf tips, yellowing, brown leaves, leaf spots, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Yellowing leaves

Bamboo Palm yellowing leaves are due to underwatering. Water the palm liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is reduced to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

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 possible 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 possible reason for brown leaf tips in Bamboo Palm is underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil.

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 which cause sudden drops in the temperature.

Keep the palm away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows, air conditions units 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.

Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Decrease 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.

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. Read on how to treat root-rot disease in houseplants.

Pests

Common pests in Bamboo Palm are Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites and Scales. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and keep the palm properly pruned to discourage their infestation.

Isolate the affected palm to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.