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Botanical name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Family: Arecaceae
Sufamily: Arecoideae
Common names: Clustered-parlour-palm, Cane Palm
Reed Palm also called Clustered-parlour-palm or Cane Palm is a graceful Indoor Palm with a high tolerance to shade and is ideal as a specimen houseplant on account of its size.
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) belongs to a group of palms called cane palms which produce tall reed-like stems which look like bamboo canes when mature.
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) can grow to a height of 6-10 ft under good conditions with densely clumping cane-like stems and feathery fronds. However, it grows slowly and may take a few years to reach the average height of 6ft.
Once grown and mature apart from being attractive, Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) also produces flowers followed by bright-orange fruits. These fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate skin; wear gloves when handling.
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in forests and in mesic soils over limestone.
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Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) grows best in partial shade; close to an east- or west-facing window. Too much light will cause your Reed palm to develop a yellowish color. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Keep the soil for Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) moderately moist at all times during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Use chlorine-free water for watering your Reed Palm; like all palms Reed Palm is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water.
Avoid getting the base of the palm wet to prevent rotting. Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot and eventual death of the palm. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Average warmth with a minimum of 120C is ideal for Reed Palm. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is suitable for your Reed Palm.
Protect your Reed palm from cold draughts. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Reed Palm has no need for high humidity. However, it benefits from occasional misting of the leaves during hot weather.
Occasionally clean the mature leaves of your Reed Palm by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Feed Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) with a nitrogen-rich, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing period. Water thoroughly until the solution comes out through the drainage holes.
Withhold feeding for your Reed palm in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Repot Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) at the beginning of the growing season only when the palm has become root-bound as Reed palm does not like root disturbance.
Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter for your Reed Palm.
Pruning Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain your plant neat and tidy.
Where the seeds are required for propagation, allow the fruits to mature and drop then cut away the spent flower stalk.
Where the seeds are not required, cut away the flower stalk immediately to prevent your Reed palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) can be propagated in three ways; from seeds, offshoots or by division.
Reed Palm seed germination is difficult and may take up to 4-6 months.
Sow the seeds in moist soil and place the set up in a warm place, 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 Reed Palms are well established.
Carefully cut the offshoot from the mother Reed Palm. Ensure the offshoot has adequate roots before seperating it from the mother.
Pot the offshoot in its own pot, place in a cool shaded place and maintain the soil moist through out.
Allow the new Reed Palm to be well established before transplanting.
During repotting, divide Reed Palm into sections and pot up the sections in individual pots.
Place the set up in a cool shaded place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Reed Palm to be well established before transplanting after which routine can begin.
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There are four reasons for brown leaf tips in Reed Palm (Chamaoderea seifrizii). Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors.
One reason for brown leaf tips in your Reed Palm is dry air. Raise humidity for your Reed Palm by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown leaf tips in your Reed Palm is underwatering. Keep the soil for your Reed palm moderately moist at all times during the growing season.
Reduce watering in the cold season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
The third reason for brown leaf tips in your Reed Palm is cold draughts.
Protect your Reed 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 your Reed Palm is damage by touching. Keep your Reed Palm away from the line of traffic.
Underwatering Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is the reason for yellowing leaves.
Keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season for your Reed Palm. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaf spots in Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) may be due to two reasons. Cut away the affected parts and discard.
One reason for brown leaf spots in your Reed Palm is overwatering. Keep the soil for your Reed palm moderately moist at all times during the growing season.
Reduce watering for your Reed Palm during the cold season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings as growth is minimal at this time.
The second reason for brown leaf spots in your Reed Palm is sudden decrease in temperature due to cold draughts.
Protect your Reed Palm from cold draughts or keep it away from draughts inorder to maintain an average warmth with a minimum of 120C.
The lower leaves in Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) 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.
Common plant pests in Reed Palm are Red Spider Mites, Scales and Mealy Bugs.
Regularly check underneath the leaves of your Reed Palm for these pests. Isolate the affected Reed Palm to prevent spread to other houseplants.
The foliage of Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is non-toxic to both humans and pets. The fruits (berries) are highly poisonous to both humans and pets.
It is important to prevent your Reed Palm 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.
