Chamaedorea seifrizii, commonly known as bamboo palm, is an indoor palm tree that bears an uncanny resemblance to bamboo (hence the name). Bamboo palm is most often grown as a large houseplant, and its popularity is in part because it doesn't need full sun to thrive. Have a north-facing window that struggles with plants? A bamboo palm will be perfectly happy getting partial sun or shade as long as it has moist, well-drained soil and temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plus, bamboo palm is non-toxic so if you have curious pets or children, you won't need to worry. You can simply enjoy its lush, deep green leaves and feel as if you've been transported to the tropics.
Here's everything you need to know about caring for and growing bamboo palms.
| Common Name | Bamboo Palm |
| Botanical Name | Chamaedorea seifrizii |
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen perennial |
| Mature Size | 3-8 ft. tall, 1-10 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial sun, shade |
| Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Hardiness Zones | 10-11 |
| Native Area | Mexico and Central America |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Bamboo Palm Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing a bamboo palm.
Plant in a rich, well-draining potting mix.
Place in a spot that will get partial sun or shade, even a north-facing window will work.
Water regularly to make sure the soil stays consistently moist, but do not let the soil get soggy.
Fertilize bamboo palms in spring and summer, at the beginning of their growing season.
Light
While they're a heat-loving plant, bamboo palms don't like to be in full sun. Placing them in a sunny window might seem like a good idea (many palms love the sun), but this will actually scorch your bamboo palm. Instead, place them in indirect light that gets either partial sun or shade.
Soil
Bamboo palms prefer well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Use a potting mix to give it the richness that it needs.
Water
Especially during the growing season, bamboo palm prefers to stay consistently moist. However, you have to be careful not to let the soil get soggy. Overwatering can easily damage a bamboo palm.
Temperature and Humidity
Since they're only hardy in Zones 10-11, it's no surprise that bamboo palms prefer to be in temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Since they are tropical plants, they prefer a more humid environment.
Fertilizer
Bamboo palms should only be fertilized during their growing season in spring and summer. Sprinkle granule fertilizer around the soil but not directly on the trunk.
Types of Bamboo Palm
There are more than 100 species in the bamboo palm genus, and each has a distinctive spiky palm look.
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): This lush tropical palm tree is a classic bamboo palm, with high-reaching fronds.
Hardy bamboo palm (Chamaedorea microspadix): If you want a palm outside, but you don't live in Zones 10-11, you can plant the hardy bamboo palm. This can survive in temperatures down to 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum): While many of the bamboo palm varieties grow upwards, the cat palm has a more compact, horizontal habit.
Dwarf bamboo palm (Chamaedorea radicalis): This smaller version of the bamboo palm only grows to four to six feet tall, making it a great choice for spaces with less square footage.
Pruning
You shouldn't have to prune a bamboo palm unless it's to keep its size under control. In that case, spring and summer are the best times to prune. Otherwise, all you need to do is clean up dead leaves.
