Indoor Palm Care: Parlour, Kentia + Butterfly Palms
Parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), butterfly palm (Dypsis lutescens)
At a glance
| βοΈ Light | Medium to bright indirect. Parlour palms tolerate low light. |
|---|---|
| π§ Water | When the top 2β3 cm is dry. Evenly moist, never soggy. |
| πͺ΄ Soil | Well-draining: our Tropical Potting Mix. |
| π‘οΈ Temp | 16β29Β°C. |
| π¨ Humidity | Average; higher helps prevent brown tips. |
| πΎ Pets | Pet safe Parlour, kentia and butterfly palms are non-toxic. (Sago palm is NOT a true palm and is very toxic.) |
| π± Care level | Easy Pet safe Low light OK (parlour) |
| π Grows to | 60 cm to 2.5 m, depending on type. |
Palms bring a soft, relaxed, tropical look to a room, and the ones we carry are safe for cats and dogs. The parlour palm is the most forgiving and happy in lower light; kentia is the elegant, slow-growing classic; and the butterfly palm is the bright, feathery one.
Light + placement
Medium to bright, indirect light suits all three. Parlour palms cope with lower light, which makes them great for apartments and offices. Avoid hot direct sun, which bleaches and burns the fronds.
Watering
Water when the top 2β3 cm of soil is dry, enough that it runs out the drainage hole. Palms like evenly moist soil but hate sitting in water. Brown tips usually mean dry air or uneven watering.
Soil + repotting
A well-draining mix like our Tropical Potting Mix. Palms don't like root disturbance and are happy snug; repot only every 2β3 years in spring.
Feeding + upkeep
Feeding: We feed with Kelpy, a gentle plant food made from BC kelp. Mix 1 teaspoon into 1 litre of water and use it every other time you water. Kelpy is gentle enough to use year-round. Our rule of thumb: if your plant is putting out new growth, even in winter, keep feeding. If it's resting, you'll be watering less, so it gets fed less too.
For a slow, natural boost, top-dress the pot with a thin layer of worm castings every few months, or mix some in when you repot. Prefer a granular food? BIOS Natural Plant Food mixes into the top layer of soil (about 1 tablespoon per 6-inch pot) once a month while your plant is growing. A little white fuzz on the soil afterwards is normal; it's the helpful fungi at work.
Trim fully brown fronds at the base; trim only the brown tips on green fronds. Wipe or rinse fronds to keep dust and pests away.
Common problems
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf tips | Dry air or uneven watering | Raise humidity; water consistently; trim tips. |
| Fine webbing, speckled fronds | Spider mites | Shower the plant; treat with Houseplant Spray. |
| Yellow lower fronds | Normal ageing or overwatering | Remove old fronds; check soil isn't soggy. |
| Pale, bleached fronds | Too much direct sun | Move to indirect light. |
| Brown, mushy stems at soil | Root rot | Let it dry; repot if roots are mushy. |
Varieties we carry
Same care for parlour, kentia, butterfly and pygmy date palms. Only what's in stock online right now is shown.
Frequently asked questions
Are palms safe for cats and dogs?
Parlour, kentia, butterfly and pygmy date palms are non-toxic. Sago palm is not a true palm and is very toxic, so keep it away from pets.
Which palm is best for low light?
The parlour palm. It handles lower light better than any other palm.
Why are the tips turning brown?
Usually dry winter air or uneven watering. Trim the tips and raise humidity.
How fast do they grow?
Slowly. Kentia palms are the slowest, which is why large ones cost more.
Indoor Palms care kit
- Tropical Potting Mix: Our all-round Soil Bar mix for leafy tropicals.
- Houseplant Spray: For spider mites, mealybugs and other pests.
- Moisture Meter Β· $14.99: Tells you when the bottom of the pot is actually dry.
- Kelpy Plant Growth Booster: Gentle BC kelp plant food you can use year-round.
- Worm Castings: A slow, natural boost from our Soil Bar. Top-dress every few months.
Bring your plant (or a photo) to 515 Chatham St #103 and we'll take a look. Open 11β5, 7 days a week, with street parking nearby. Get directions β
More plant care guides
Lithops Β· Peace Lily Β· Fittonia Β· Pilea Β· Pitcher Plant Β· String of Pearls Β· Cactus Β· Olive Tree Β· All plant care β