Reed Palm (Chamaedorea Seifrizii) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Repotting, Problems

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Reed Palm (Chamaoderea seifrizii) thrives in bright indirect light (partial shade), average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Chamaedorea seifrizii also called Clustered-parlour-palm or Cane Palm is among the popular palms on account of its high tolerance to shade and large size making it a great focal plant.

Chamaedorea seifrizii belongs to a group of palms called cane palms which produce tall reed-like stems which look like bamboo canes when mature.

Botanical name: Chamaedorea seifrizii
Family: Arecaceae
Sufamily: Arecoideae
Common names: Reed Palm, Clustered-parlour-palm, Cane Palm

Origin

Chamaedorea seifrizii is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in forests and in mesic soils over limestone.

Size

Reed Palm is a 6-10 feet tall plant with densely clumping cane-like stems and feathery fronds which places it among low-light tree-like plants for indoors. However, it grows slowly and may take a few years to reach the average height of 6 feet.

Flowers

Reed Palm also produces flowers followed by bright-orange fruits apart from the beautiful foliage. These fruits contain oxalic acid which can irritate skin; wear gloves when handling.

Is Chamaedorea seifrizii toxic?

The foliage of Chamaedorea seifrizii is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. 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.

Related Plants

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

Where to Buy

Reed Palm is an excellent addition to your plant collection to elevate your home value. You may acquire these palms from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Reed Palm Indoors

To care for Reed Palm indoors, provide bright indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 15-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Chamaedorea seifrizii repotting is done at the beginning of the growing season only when pot-bound. Pruning is needed to keep the palm neat as well as reduce pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water your Reed Palm liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing.

Reduce watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. However do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it can result in brown, crispy leaf tips and drooping leaves.

Use chlorine-free water like rain water or filtered water to prevent brown leaf tips. Ensure the water is at room temperature as consistently watering with cold water can cause cold shock which can result in stunted growth and eventual plant death.

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 yellowing of the fronds and root-rot; use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Light Requirements

Chamaedorea seifrizii grows best in bright indirect light (partial shade); place it next to a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from too bright light as it can cause yellowing and scorching of the fronds.

Though Reed Palm can adapt to lower light, should you note that it is less vibrant and growth is deteriorating, move it to a brighter spot or use a grow light. Too little light for a long period of time may cause the palm to die.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the palm receives adequate light on all sides for even growth and avoid unbalanced growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Reed Palm prefers a warmth of 15-27⁰C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent temperature flactuation which can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing, brown leaf tips and brown leaf spots.

Chamaedorea seifrizii prospers in a humidity of 50-55%. However, too dry air will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together. Ensure free air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Feeding

Feed Chamaedorea seifrizii with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer to encourage lush growth. Reduce or stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time and feeding at this time as it can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the palm.

Brown leaf tips and a white crust on the soil surface are an indication of excess salts in the soil. Every 1-2 months, flush out accumulated salts 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.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Reed Palm should be a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Avoid heavy potting soils that retain too much water, as they can lead to root rot. A blend of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite or vermiculite (for proper drainage) is ideal for this palm.

Repotting

Repot your Reed Palm at the beginning of the growing season (spring and early summer), only when pot-bound. Repotting every 2-3 years should be adequate as it is a slow grower and also does not like root disturbance.

Choose a pot only 1-2 sizes larger than the current one. Avoid using an oversized pot, as it can hold excess moisture and cause root rot. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Reed Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds at the base (near the soil surface) with sterilized scissors. This is important to maintain the plant tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestation.

If 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.

Occasionally clean the mature leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestations as well as improve photosynthesis.

Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for pests like spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs and carry out timely control measures.

Chamaedorea seifrizii Propagation

Reed Palms are propagated through division, offshoots (pups), or seeds. The best time to propagate is in the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), when the plant is actively growing, to hasten establishment. Learn how to propagate Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii).

Chamaedorea seifrizii Problems & Remedies

Reed Palm common problems are brown leaf tips, yellow leaves, brown leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Chamaoderea seifrizii are caused by dry air, underwatering, drafts or bruising.

How to fix it

Trim off the brown tips with sharp, sterilized scissors to keep the palm neat and tidy.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to increase humidity.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.

Drafts: Keep the palm away from sources of drafts like windy doors, AC units, hot air vents, stoves among others.

Bruising: Keep the palm away from the line of traffic.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Reed Palm are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, direct sunlight among others.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Direct sunlight: Position the plant in a shaded place or use a sheer curtain to filter the sunrays.

Brown leaves

The main causes of brown leaves on Chamaoderea seifrizii are inconsistent watering, temperature stress, direct sunlight or aging.

How to fix it

Remove the brown leaves by cutting at the base with a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors to minimize injuries.

Inconsistent water: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Temperatute stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows and others.

Direct sunlight: Keep the palm away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunshine.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the palm matures the lower leaves turn brown and drop.

Pests

Common pests of Chamaedorea seifrizii are spider mites, scales and mealybugs which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


2. Seperate the infested palm to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Maintain the palm well pruned to minimize pests infestation.
4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity to discourage the pests.

Diseases

Chamaoderea seifrizii is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Trim the brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.


4. Do not water the plant immediately; keep it dry for 5-7 days before resuming watering.


5. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.


6. Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.

Check out these 9 Bamboo Palm Common Problems and How to Fix It.

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