When it comes to table palms, the Chamaedorea elegans, or parlor palm, is a great plant for beginners because it doesn’t need much care and can handle most types of indirect light.
They can survive in low light, where some plants would not normally thrive. The palm won’t die of lack of water if you forget to water it; it can even handle drought.
Even though parlor palms are hardy and don’t need much care, they may have problems as they move into your home and grow. See if the leaves are turning brown and if so, how they are turning brown. If they are turning brown, they may even be curling.
With its graceful arching fronds the parlor palm is a popular houseplant that adds a tropical vibe to any space. While these palms thrive in bright indirect light, too much direct sunlight can actually damage their leaves.
If your parlor palm is showing signs of light stress like scorched leaves or stunted growth it likely needs some shade adjustments. Read on to learn the symptoms of too much light and get tips to find your parlor palm’s perfect sunny spot.
How Much Light Does a Parlor Palm Need?
Parlor palms prefer bright, filtered light similar to the dappled sun of their tropical forest floor habitat. Here are their ideal light conditions
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Bright indirect light – Parlor palms thrive with plenty of ambient brightness but no direct sun beams. Light filtered through sheer curtains is perfect.
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East or west exposure – A few hours of gentle morning or evening sun from an east or west window works well.
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No direct midday sun – Avoid hot overhead sunlight at peak hours, which can burn leaves.
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No low light – Insufficient light leads to sparse growth. But too much direct sun also damages plants.
Finding the right balance takes some trial and error. Watch your plant’s response and adjust its location until you find its happy place!
Signs Your Parlor Palm is Getting Too Much Light
If your parlor palm is struggling with excess light, you may notice these issues:
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Scorched leaf tips – Crispy brown edges or spots indicate sunburn. This can spread and kill leaves.
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Washed out foliage – Leaves turn light green or yellowish rather than deep green when getting too much sun.
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Stunted growth – Harsh light forces the plant to focus energy on protection over new growth.
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Sparse canopy – With foliage damage, the top of the plant may become thin and bare.
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Leaf drop – Severely damaged leaves may turn brown and drop off completely.
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Sunken leaf lesions – In intense sun, cell damage can create dark depressed patches on leaves.
Take action promptly if seeing these warning signs to prevent lasting damage or decline. Parlor palms can’t survive full sun exposure very long.
How to Fix and Prevent Parlor Palm Light Stress
If your parlor palm shows evidence of too much light, use these tactics to get it back on track:
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Move it back from the window – Give more distance between the plant and light source to reduce intensity.
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Add a sheer curtain – Diffuse direct sun beams hitting the plant during peak hours.
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Rotate the plant – Turn the pot every few days so all sides get equal sunlight exposure.
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Provide shade – Block hot afternoon sun by moving the palm behind an obstacle or larger plant.
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Change locations – Find a spot with gentler, filtered light if adjusting the current area isn’t helping.
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Trim damaged leaves – Remove crispy, yellowed leaves to improve appearance and redirect growth.
With some simple adjustments, you can find the right balance of light your parlor palm thrives in. Pay attention to its response and you’ll zero in on that perfect sunny spot.
Ideal Parlor Palm Placement in Your Home
Considering your home’s window placements, layout, and light conditions, choose an optimal spot for your parlor palm:
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East facing windows – Morning sun from east windows is gentle and perfect for parlor palms. No afternoon shade needed.
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West facing windows – Dappled evening light works, but diffuse harsh late day sun with sheer curtains.
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North facing windows – Low light from north windows may be insufficient. Supplement with grow lights.
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South facing windows – Direct south sun is too intense. Filter light through sheer curtains or a shade screen.
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Near interior windows – Bright indoor rooms with ample filtered light work well. Rotate plant for even growth.
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Outdoor shade – A covered patio or balcony blocks direct sun but provides bright shade. Bring in for winter.
Get to know your light patterns. Parlor palms are flexible but do best when shielded from intense midday and afternoon sun.
Adjusting Other Care for a Light-Stressed Parlor Palm
In addition to light changes, modify other factors to help an overly sun-exposed parlor palm recover:
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Water more frequently – Plants in brighter light lose more moisture. Check soil daily and water when the top inch is dry.
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Mist leaves – Regular misting replaces humidity lost in hot air and sun exposure.
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Hold off fertilizing – Don’t fertilize a stressed plant. Wait until it recovers to add nutrients.
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Monitor for pests – Heavy light invites pests like spider mites. Treat promptly if seen.
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Remove dead fronds – Prune all crispy, desiccated leaves to focus energy on new growth.
With a little TLC and the right adjustments, a parlor palm suffering from excess light can bounce back quickly.
Finding the Bright Indirect Light Sweet Spot
Parlor palms walk a fine line between loving bright light and hating direct sunlight. But with attention and small positioning tweaks, you can find the perfect dose of illumination for your palm to thrive.
Inspect leaves regularly for signs of light stress. Filter harsh beams and provide gentle morning/evening sun. Your parlor palm will thank you with vigorous growth and graceful, arching fronds bringing the tropics indoors.
Freckles from Fungal Bacteria
If you see spots of fungus on your parlor palm, it could be because it is too cold and wet.
The fungus might not kill your parlor palm, so it’s really just a matter of looks.
Move Your Parlor Palm to a Darker Spot
If you see this happening to your parlor palm, you should move it to a darker area or corner where the sun doesn’t shine directly on the leaves.
The burnt foliage should be removed and pruned from your parlor palm to encourage new, healthy green growth. Cut off the burned leaves, and the plant will stop sending food and energy to those areas. This lets new leaves grow.
The new growth should be a rich dark green. Your parlor palm is in the right place and not getting burned when you see its dark green leaves.
PARLOUR PALM CARE | Chameadorea Elegans Tips & Tricks
FAQ
Is my palm getting too much light?
Why is my Parlour Palm pale?
Do parlor palms like a lot of light?
Why are the leaves on my Parlour Palm turning yellow?
What are some common problems with a parlor palm?
We will go through the following common problems such as: Brown, spotted leaves from too much direct sunlight. Light yellow or green leaves from too much direct sunlight or overwatering. Black spots on your parlor palm from high sun exposure. Drooping from improper watering. Curling leaves from underwatering, low humidity, or overfertilization.
Do parlor palms need direct sunlight?
Parlor Palms (Chamaedorea elegans) thrive in low to bright, indirect sunlight. They do not need direct sunlight and can suffer burns or faded coloration if exposed to too much direct light. These palms are well-suited to indoor conditions where natural light is often filtered.
What happens if a window palm is too bright?
A spot that’s too bright for your Parlor Palm will turn its darker green leaves light green and/or yellow. The Parlor palm doesn’t tolerate direct sunlight, so exposing your plant to direct sunlight will cause sunburns on your palm’s leaves. These sunburns are permanent, unfortunately, and look like this:
Can a parlor palm grow in low light?
One of the great attributes of the Parlor Palm is its ability to thrive in lower light conditions and artificial lighting. It keeps growing without skipping a beat in a lower light setting, where many indoor plants will fail to thrive. However, for the best growth and performance, place the palm in a location that receives bright, indirect light.
