Mountain palms are among the most popular indoor plants because they bring a touch of the exotic into your own four walls. Originally they come from Mexico and Guatemala. In their original home they have adapted to special environmental conditions.
The mountain palm does not like pruning
Unnecessary cutting measures
When cut, Chamaedorea elegans proves to be sensitive, since the plant does not tolerate such interventions. Basically, you should treat the houseplant with scissors as little as possible, because then it will thrive magnificently and bushy.
Avoid cutting tips
The crown of the palm tree is formed by leaves that emerge from the upper part. The leaf sheaths form the stem of the plant. Like all palm plants, mountain palms have no cambium and are not capable of secondary growth. Your only growing point is at the top of the palm tree. Since the palm dies afterwards, you should refrain from pruning measures.
cut flowers
Mountain palms flower from the second or third year of life. As soon as the inconspicuous yellowish inflorescences sprout in the leaf axils, the ornamental plant puts all its energy into the development of the reproductive structures. Leaf growth stagnates at this time, which is why it is worth cutting off the emerging flower spikes in good time. However, it will not harm the plant if you leave the flowers until the end of the flowering period. In this way you can get seeds from your mountain palm.
Remove leaf fronds
If the mountain palm has brown leaves, you can help with an aesthetic intervention. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Cut the leaf fronds as close to the base as possible. Make sure that at least three centimeters of the petiole remain on the trunk. This ensures that the stem tissue remains undamaged. You can also just cut off individual parts of the leaf if they have turned brown.
Avoid brown leaf tips
Brown-colored tips indicate that the air is too dry. This phenomenon occurs mainly in winter when the plants are in heated winter quarters. To prevent this, fill a large flowerpot with water and place pebbles on the bottom. Place the tub of mountain palm in this larger vessel. Moisture gradually evaporates, creating a humid microclimate between the leaves.
tips
Mist the palm fronds regularly with water. This should be lime-free so that no unsightly lime stains form.
Prevent yellowish and brown discolouration
If the leaves show light spots that extend over the entire leaf surface over time, this indicates too much solar radiation. The exotic plant does not tolerate the blazing midday sun because the soft leaf tissue dries out too quickly.
The right growing place:
- East or west window space provides morning or evening light
- North windows are also suitable, but result in slower growth
- Place the pot on the south window with a minimum distance of 1.5 meters in front of the pane