Parlor palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

fruits, sap/juice

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

skin contact with fruit juice

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not assessed for pets. A single source, or an ASPCA page plus a bare NC State tag, is not enough to show a plant is safe, so the app makes no pet-safety claim either way.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: ASPCA lists Good Luck Palm and Bamboo Palm as other names for this plant, but lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a different plant that Clemson, NC State and ASPCA treat as toxic to pets, and Mississippi State uses Bamboo Palm for a different palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii). Check the scientific name, not the nickname. NC State also lists Bamboo Palm and Good Luck Palm as common names for this plant..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 10B through 11 (UF/IFAS); 10a to 12b (NC State).
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: UF/IFAS: 4 to 8 ft tall, 2 to 3 ft wide. NC State: 2 to 7.5 ft tall, 2 to 3 ft wide. Both kept.
Family: Arecaceae (UF/IFAS lists it as Arecacea in one line; ASPCA says Palmae)
Where it comes from: Dense rain forests of Mexico and Guatemala (UF/IFAS); southern Mexico and northern Central America, Mexico to Honduras (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon