Plant of the Month – Chamaedorea falcifera
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Chamaedorea falcifera is an elegant and durable new plant related to the Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii). Bred with thicker pinnate leaflets and similar bamboo style multiple-trunks, this graceful plant can act as a medium sized specimen that won’t overcrowd your personal yoga retreat and only add to the chi of your space. Chamaedorea falcifera’s tropical, upright stature would fit any room of the house or office usually grown 5-7‘ tall and 3-4’ wide.
Chamaedorea is a genus of 107 species of palms, native to subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas. They are small palms and grow naturally in the understory of the rain forests, making these plants ideal for use indoors. They are durable, clean and easy to care for when they are given the proper care (and love).
When I was first introduced to this plant 2 years ago, it looked like a fragile plant that would surely die a slow death, but after purchasing one and seeing it thrive with little care I was convinced that it was a keeper. I love this plant for narrow walkways, offices, bedrooms, and yes of course my one-day-Zen-yoga-retreat!
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Hi Deb,
I googled Chamaedorea falcifera and I came across your wonderful website.
Dear Debra,
I recently purchased my beloved Chamaedorea falcifera palm for my home. A few weeks ago transplanted the palm into a larger permanent planter. As of the past week entire frowns have begun brown. I’m concerned I have been under watering the plant. I’m very anxious the plant is going to die and want to be certain I’m caring for it properly.
The entire plant is not appearing sickly, but should I be alarmed about some of the frowns browning. Should I cut the leaves as they turn brown or remove the whole frown?
Any tips please or comments to ease my mind. I don’t know anything about plants and am new to the care of plants.
Thank you so much for your help!
sincerely,
Tony
Hi Tony,
With the Chamaedorea falcifera palm, sometimes the lower fronds will get brown from stress, over/under water, change in environment, humidity or even age. From what you told me, and me not knowing the environment that the palm is in (light, heat) I am concerned about the palm being transplanted. Usually, for interior plants, we only transplant when we are sub-irrigating the plant. The transplant could be causing stress to the palm and/or over watering. When you did transplant the palm, the palm needs sandy soil with a pot that has drainage. Also, when a plant is transplanted it usually does not require as much water since there is more soil around the root ball to store water. You should stick your finger into the soil as far as it will go and if you feel moisture, you don’t need to water the palm.
I would recommend that you do cut off any of the brown fronds all the way to the cane. And any tips that have turned brown you can trim for aesthetic purposes. Also, if the permanent planter you transplanted the palm into does not have drainage holes, this will definitely kill the palm, so please drill some holes in the bottom.
I you have any other questions, feel free to comment and I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Miko
I’m trying to figure out the best way to water this plant. It is new to the office and I feel like I may be either over watering it, or not watering it enough. Please let me know! thanks1
~Nicole
Hi Nicole,
These palms do like to dry out between waterings. I would check the palm every week for water, but realistically (depending on the weather, environment and light/heat) it probably only needs water every other week or every third week. When you do water it though, water it thoroughly. Also, it’s not a bad idea to spray the leaves from time to time.
Hope that helps!
Miko