How to Grow and Care for Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) Indoors
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Botanical name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Family: Arecaceae
Sufamily: Arecoideae
Common names: Clustered-parlour-palm, Cane Palm
Description
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) also called Clustered-parlour-palm or Cane Palm is a graceful palm with a high tolerance to shade and is ideal as a specimen plant on account of its size.
Chamaedorea seifrizii belongs to a group of palms called cane palms which produce tall reed-like stems which look like bamboo canes when mature.
Size
Reed Palm 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.
Flower
Once grown and mature apart from being attractive, Reed Palm also produces flowers followed by bright-orange fruits. These fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate skin; wear gloves when handling.
Origin
Chamaedorea seifrizii is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in forests and in mesic soils over limestone.
Where to Buy
Reed Palm is an excellent addition to any houseplant collection. Various Reed Palms are available online at Etsy. Buy these magnificent Bamboo Palms online from Etsy.
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Chamaedorea seifrizii Care Indoors
Reed Palm (Chamaoderea seifrizii) care indoors is easy when the right growing conditions are provided. It thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding.
Reed Palm has no need for increased humidity apart from where the temperatures are very high. It requires warmth and needs to be kept away from cold drafts. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Reed Palm grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where natural lighting is not sufficient.
Protect the palm from direct sunlight as it can cause it to develop a yellowish color. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to water Reed Palm
Water Chamaedorea seifrizii liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Use chlorine-free water to water Reed Palm; like all palms, it is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Avoid getting the base of the palm wet to prevent rotting. Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the palm.
Temperature
Reed Palm requires an average warmth with a minimum of 120C to thrive. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for the palm.
Keep it away from cold draughts as it hates cold temperatures. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity
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 by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Chamaedorea seifrizii with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing period.
Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream run for several minutes and repeat several times.
Repotting
Repot Reed Palm 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 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 the eventual death of the palm.
Soil
The best soil for Reed 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. Buy quality Potting Mix for Chamaedorea seifrizii from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Reed Palm 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 the palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Chamaedorea seifrizii can be propagated in three ways; from seeds, from offshoots or by plant division.
How to propagate Reed Palm from seeds
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.
How to propagate Reed Palm from offshoots
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 warm shaded place and maintain the soil moist through out.
Allow the new Reed Palm to be well established before transplanting.
How to propagate Reed Palm by plant division
During repotting, divide Reed Palm into sections and pot up the sections in individual pots.
Place the set up in a warm 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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Chamaedorea seifrizii Problems Indoors
Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) problems indoors are due to cultural faults 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
There are four reasons for brown leaf tips in Reed Palm. Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors.
One reason for brown leaf tips in Reed 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 Reed Palm is underwatering. Water liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering in the cold season and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third reason for brown leaf tips in Reed Palm is cold draughts. Protect it 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 Reed Palm is damage by touching. Keep it away from the line of traffic.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots in Reed Palm may be due to two reasons. Cut away the affected parts and discard.
One reason for brown leaf spots is overwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season but not soggy.
Water less during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.
The second reason for brown leaf spots in Reed 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
Underwatering Reed Palm is the reason for yellowing leaves. Keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaves
The lower leaves in Reed 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
Chamaedorea seifrizii pests; Red Spider Mites, Scales and Mealy Bugs. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests. Isolate the affected Reed Palm to prevent spread to other houseplants.
Is Reed Palm toxic?
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 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.
Related Chamaedorea Species
- Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm)
- Chamaedorea erumpens (Bamboo Palm)
