Plant lovers without much experience who would like to bring exotic foliage into their room are well advised to use the mountain palm. Because the delicately feathered Central American does not require any complex or particularly demanding care.

The Chamaedorea elegans is a popular houseplant

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. growth
  3. houseplant
  4. leaves
  5. blossom
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. What soil does the plant need?
  8. Water mountain palm
  9. hydroponics
  10. Fertilize mountain palm properly
  11. Diseases
  12. pests
  13. brown leaves
  14. Brown tips
  15. propagate mountain palm
  16. Is mountain palm poisonous?
  17. tip
  18. sorts

    19. origin

    The mountain palm, botanically Chamaedorea, is a moderately species-rich plant genus. However, their total of 104 species are quite different. Their areas of origin extend from Mexico to South American Brazil. As their name suggests, most species come from high altitude habitats, only a few are also native to the lowlands. What all Chamaedorea species have in common, however, is their settlement in the undergrowth zone of moist forests. They are therefore adapted to more semi-shady lighting conditions.

    Of the various types of Chamaedorea, only Chamaedorea elegans, the Mexican or dainty mountain palm, is actually relevant for the local houseplant culture. As her German name suggests, she comes from the mountain regions of Mexico and Guatemala.

    The origin of the mountain palm at a glance:

    • The areas of origin of the 104 species extend from Central to South America
    • Most species from mountainous regions
    • Understory plant from moist forests
    • This species is cultivated as a houseplant in this country. Mexican mountain palm from Mexico and Guatemala

    growth

    As already mentioned above, the species of the genus Chamaedorea are quite diverse - this already affects their respective habitus. There are both upright growing and prostrate or even climbing species. But all are rather small to medium-sized. Most species are single-stemmed, others also form clumps.

    Chamaedorea elegans, which is relevant for Central European indoor plant growers, grows as an upright tree with a slender trunk and an umbrella-like tuft of leaves. In its homeland it grows up to 3 meters high and spreads its crown around 2 meters. In indoor culture, on the other hand, it usually only reaches a height of 1.30 meters, which is easier to handle.

    houseplant

    As a houseplant, the Chamaedorea elegans is extremely easy to care for and is therefore also suitable for beginners. She does not need excessive attention and is very tolerant of grooming mistakes.
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    leaves

    The mountain palm is valued as a decorative houseplant, mainly because of its delicately feathered, fresh green and slightly shiny leaves. They are closely opposite at the top of the trunk and have a filigree pinnate structure of 20 to 40 narrow, lanceolate individual leaves up to 15 centimeters long. with the medium-length stem, flattened at the top and rounded at the bottom, the palm fronds reach a total length of around 60 centimetres.

    blossom

    Throughout the growing season from spring to autumn, the Mexican mountain palm forms very filigree, wide-spread panicles of small, yellowish, globular flowers. They do not stand out visually from the leafy green, but the attentive observer can certainly enjoy their delicate structure. The mountain palm is dioecious, i.e. has separate sexes. If you have a female specimen, the flower will also fill the room with a pleasant scent.
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    Which location is suitable?

    As an understory plant, the mountain palm is of course not used to direct sunlight. Nevertheless, their equatorial origin requires quite a lot of brightness. So you should offer her a bright spot in the room where she is protected from direct sunlight. In summer you can also put them outside, but of course in a shaded place.

    Native to the mountainous regions of Central America, Chamaedorea elegans conveniently does not need tropical forest temperatures. A living temperature of 20°C, which is also comfortable for us, is ideal for them. In winter, on the other hand, it needs cooler values of around 12 to 16°C, provided you plan on flowering in the next vegetation phase. A place to hibernate in an unheated stairwell is ideal - and may also bring some tropical joy when you come home on cold, wet winter days.

    The site requirements at a glance:

    • Mountain palm should be bright but protected from direct sunlight
    • Temperatures in summer moderately warm, around 20°C
    • It is possible to put it out, but it is shaded
    • Cooler in winter (12-15°C) to provide a temperature stimulus for flowering next spring

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    What soil does the plant need?

    The mountain palm should be in a loose, not too compact substrate. Potting soil is particularly suitable for palm trees or herbs. You can make the soil a little more humic with a little compost. Good drainage made of coarse sand or volcanic rock is definitely recommended because of the relatively high sensitivity to waterlogging.

    The pH should be alkaline rather than acidic.

    To remember:

    • well drained substrate of (special palm or herb) soil and some compost
    • Coarse sand or volcanic rock drainage
    • pH value rather alkaline

    Water mountain palm

    When watering the mountain palm, the simple rule of thumb applies: not too little and not too much. In concrete terms, this means that it should be kept evenly moist and not allowed to dry out, but waterlogging should also be avoided as much as possible. Give it plenty of water, especially during hot dry periods in summer, and make sure that the root ball always stays moist. Nevertheless, water must not stand permanently in the coaster. In any case, it should be absorbed by the plant before watering again.

    A dip once a week is also recommended: immerse the pot completely in water and then drain it well.

    Reduce the watering a little during the winter break, but even then the substrate should always remain slightly moist.

    Casting rules again in keywords:

    • not too little, not too much
    • always keep moist, but avoid waterlogging
    • In the summer occasional diving recommended
    • keep only slightly moist in winter

    hydroponics

    The Chamaedorea elegans can also be kept in hydroponics. It is particularly recommended for beginners or offices, as it requires even less attention to watering and maintenance. Overall, hydroponics is also a bit more hygienic, since there is less breeding ground for pests and allergens to settle. Particularly sensitive people can also benefit from this.

    However, it is important that the decision to use hydroponics is made right at the beginning. The mountain palm does not tolerate a conversion from soil culture to hydroponics - its roots have to be used to this "clinical" water and nutrient uptake right from the start.

    Plant the mountain palm for hydroponics using the classic method in a planter with expanded clay (€19.73) and a water-nutrient solution as a base. A water level indicator is important in order to always be informed about the hydro status and to be able to fill up in time.

    Things to consider about hydroponics:

    • Suitable for beginners, offices and allergy sufferers
    • If so, then cultivate like this from the start
    • Classic variant is best: expanded clay substrate over water-nutrient solution with water level indicator

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    Fertilize mountain palm properly

    You should only fertilize a mountain palm when it is old. In the first year of life, the plant should have the opportunity to develop its roots well. Later, you can give her some universal liquid fertilizer every now and then during the growing season from early spring to late summer. However, you should dose this weakly and keep a time interval of at least 2 to 3 weeks between fertilizer applications.

    Diseases

    Diseases are not generally known in the mountain palm.
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    pests

    However, pests can occasionally infest the Chamaedorea elegans. It is most likely to be infested by the most common of all houseplant parasites, spider mites and scale insects. In both cases, the cause is usually too dry heating air. If the substrate is too wet, fungus gnats can also settle.

    spider mites

    These tiny little animals colonize many indoor plants and feed on their plant sap. The first sign of damage is the fine webs with which the reddish to yellowish or greenish mites cover their host plants. Later, small dots appear on the leaves, which gradually expand into larger spots. Eventually the leaves curl up and are shed.

    Due to the webs, a spider mite infestation can usually be recognized and combated at an early stage. The spray and foil method has proven itself here. First, shower the palm with a stronger jet of water to mechanically remove the pests. In order to eradicate all of them, then cover the plant completely with a film that you close as airtight as possible at the bottom. Underneath, the mites die within a week.

    scale insects

    These slightly larger parasites also feed on their host's sap, leaving excretions (honeydew) that stick to the area around the houseplant.
    Scale insects are best fought mechanically at first by wiping them off the leaves with a damp cloth. Then apply a spray treatment of garlic, nettle or tansy stock. For more stubborn infestations, you can also use an oil preparation that will suffocate the pests.

    fungus gnats

    Fungus gnats prefer to settle in wet soil substrate. For this reason alone, you should not keep the mountain palm too moist all the time. The parasites are easy to spot because they buzz around the plant every time you water it. Then you should act quickly, because the larvae deposited in the ground eat all the lower parts of the plant, especially the roots.

    You can contain much of the population with sticky yellow boards. A completely biological method is the use of beneficial insects such as nematodes, which you can buy in specialist shops. If you let them loose on the fungus gnats, they will immediately satisfy their hunger.

    As a preventive measure, you can also keep carnivorous plants in the room - they also do a reliable job.

    brown leaves

    dryness

    In most cases, brown leaves on the mountain palm are an indication of dryness - either it has not been supplied with enough irrigation water from below or the ambient air is too dry for it. In any case, keep the root ball evenly moist - or simplify the water supply with hydroponics. For high room humidity, you can place a bowl of water on the heater. You too can benefit from this. An occasional spray shower is also good for the mountain palm.

    sunburn

    Another reason for brown leaves can be sunburn. As an understory plant, the mountain palm does not tolerate direct sunlight. So protect them in the bright location that is nevertheless necessary by shading them from other plants or even a thin cloth sail.
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    Brown tips

    If the leaf tips of the mountain palm turn brown, the underlying causes are the same as for completely brown leaves - here you have only recognized the problem earlier. Of course, this also makes it easier to fix. Immediately increase the amount or frequency of watering and, if necessary, increase the humidity in the room.

    If the sun bothers the mountain palm too much, shade it lightly.
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    propagate mountain palm

    saplings

    The easiest way to propagate a mountain palm is through saplings. It forms these regularly in the lower part of the plant as side shoots. You can simply cut them off with a sharp knife and place them in a pot with potting soil. Grow it in a bright, warm place, protected from direct sunlight, while keeping it evenly moist - a uniformly warm and humid microclimate is conducive to growth, which you can achieve by covering it with foil.

    seed cultivation

    Another method is seed propagation. You can either buy seeds from a specialist shop or take some from two mother plants yourself. However, this requires a little skill and motivation. Because you first need a male and a female plant specimen so that fertilization is possible. When both specimens are in bloom, brush the male and female flowers alternately over several days with a brush. You can then remove the seeds from the ripe, blackish fruits.

    The cultivation of the seeds, in turn, requires a lot of patience. Because they first have to be soaked in water for about two days so that the hard capsule dissolves. Once that's done, place them in seed pots (€16.68) and place them in a sheltered, bright, warm and evenly humid place - a mini greenhouse offers the best chance of success. (€7.95) Alternatively, you can also use foil covering create a suitable microclimate.

    When the seedlings emerge, they need some ventilation. When they have reached a stable size, you can move them to larger planters and continue cultivating them in a species-appropriate manner.
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    Is mountain palm poisonous?

    Whether the mountain palm is poisonous is not entirely clear. It is often classified as harmless, some experts ascribe a slight toxicity to it because of the allegedly contained saponins. In any case, the toxicity, if any, is only weak. In order to minimize risks, mountain palms should be placed higher in households with small children and pets and any fallen parts of the plant should be collected and disposed of.
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    tip

    If you value the flowers, which are not particularly eye-catching, but are very pretty, cut them off immediately after they have faded. This promotes regeneration in general.

    sorts

    Chamaedorea elegans Bella

    This is the most common variety of Mexican mountain palm that can be purchased in local stores. Occasionally there are also varieties of other species such as the particularly filigree Chamaedorea metallica or the unfeathered Ch. Ernesti-augustii.

    The Chamaedorea elegans Bella is characterized by its compact growth and its shapely, fresh green palm fronds. It grows up to 1.30 meters high and shows the typically delicate, panicle-shaped inflorescences with yellowish spherical flowers. It can bloom throughout the growing season.

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Trees