Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Introduction

Contrary to what the name might suggest, the Bamboo Palm plant is not bamboo. The slender green trunks of the bamboo palm (​Chamaedorea Seifrizii​) have leaf scars along the stems that somewhat resemble bamboo stalk markings, inspiring the plant’s common name. Adding an indoor palm tree to your plant collection is a surefire way to bring some flair and a tropical element to your space and few make better indoor palms than the Bamboo Palm. If you’re looking for a particularly low-maintenance species, the bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is an excellent option. The Bamboo Palm is a relatively dense palm with multiple trunks and fronds shooting at various heights so can be used as an attractive screen.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Soil & Drainage

If your bamboo palm is in an outdoor garden or yard, it can tolerate a range of soil conditions, though it prefers rich, well-draining and slightly acidic soil. When potting up your plant and growing it indoors, your bamboo palm will appreciate a well-draining soil or potting mix, preferably a peat-based mix. Make sure your planter has a drainage hole to help avoid water saturation at the roots.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Lighting & Position

Because bamboo palms grow naturally in shaded forests, place it in shade both indoors and outdoors. Its high shade tolerance makes it the perfect candidate as a houseplant, well suited to homes, offices and other indoor areas where light levels are low. Although it does best in bright, indirect light, you can accustom a palm to grow in partial sunlight if you expose it to more light gradually. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves though especially in less humid environments.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Watering

Native to forests of central and northeastern Mexico, bamboo palms grow in their natural environment as an understory plant. Its natural habitat is moist, so it appreciates regular watering when it’s actively growing. As a houseplant, keep your bamboo palm evenly moist while it’s growing in Spring and Summer, while reducing watering in the cooler months of Autumn and Winter. Although the plant doesn’t need high humidity to thrive, avoid conditions that dry it out. When growing outdoors protect your palm from strong winds and when indoors avoid areas with particularly dry air, such as near heating and cooling vents.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Humidity

In terms of humidity, the Bamboo Palm can tolerate slightly dryer conditions but being a Tropical Plant the Chamaedorea Seifrizii will thrive best in a humid environment. If you need help creating a humid place for it, you may opt to buy a humidifier or place above a pebble tray. Other options for increasing humidity is to group next to other plants.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Fertilizer

Summer and Spring are the best seasons to feed your bamboo palm. Also, the best form of fertilizer is a complete granular and slow-release fertilizer. It should be applied on the basal part and immediately followed by watering. Although, you may opt for any complete fertilizer or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer as long as you dilute it in water.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Propagation

Bamboo Palms are generally grown from seed. In saying that it is possible to split Bamboo Palms. But be careful as dividing can easily damage the roots and plant.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Toxicity for Pets

Bamboo Palm’s leaves and stems are non-toxic, but its fruit is quite poisonous. Be sure to prevent fruit from falling where it could be accessible to pets or children. You may wish to simply remove and dispose of the blooms and berries as soon as they appear. Indoors it is a much lower risk as fruiting is extremely rare.

Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifrizii Vulnerability to Pests & Disease

Like many houseplants, Bamboo Palm may be plagued by mealybugs, spider mites, white fly, aphids and/or scales. These can usually be avoided with proper watering, ventilation and correct humidity levels. If your plants are bothered by these pests, try eradicating them with a Neem oil or insecticidal soap solution.

For more information on how to manage common plant pests, head to our blog here.

What’s the difference between Bamboo Palms & Parlor Palms

Parlor palms do not grow as tall as bamboo palms, and their fronds grow on separated stems rather than the bamboo palm’s central “trunk,” or cluster, of stems with individual fronds. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) are usually quite small, most commonly used as a little desk palm and are slow growers but can extend up to 6 feet high in ideal conditions. Bamboo palms can grow 4 to 12feet and are much faster growing. Bamboo Palm foliage will also be a slightly darker green and the fronts more sporadic and Jungle like.

Bamboo Palm Design Tips

Bamboo Palms really have a strong Jungle Vibe, exaggerated by their slightly messier growth habit than say a Kentia Palm, which is also heightened by their Bamboo-like trunks. This wild side can certainly be exaggerated and utilised in Design and the Bamboo Palm can be a great option in Balinese Garden Designs. They look great in old rustic pots, a rattan pot, woven basket or concrete pots. For more neutral options they also look great in black and white pots.