Neanthe Bella Palm Care: Growing A Chamaedorea Elegans 

The Neanthe Bella Palm is widely grown and sold in the trade as a tabletop palm. You’ll often see it tucked into dish gardens and mixed plantings as a soft, fluffy filler alongside kalanchoes, African violets, pothos, and more. 

When I was an interior plantscaper years ago, we used this popular indoor palm frequently, primarily as a tabletop plant. Given time, it’ll grow into a full, bushy floor plant that tops out around 4′.

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans.  Common Name: Neanthe Bella Palm, Parlor Palm, Good Luck Palm

Neanthe Bella Palm Traits

Size/Form

Most indoor palms—like the Kentia, Bamboo, and Areca—are floor plants. Thanks to its compact size, the Neanthe Bella fits nicely into smaller spaces, such as tables, desks, and counters.

You’ll usually find it sold as a tabletop plant in a 6″ pot, standing about a foot tall. The largest one I’ve seen was in a 12″ pot and around 4′ tall, making it more of a low, bushy floor plant at that size.

Growth Rate

Slow, especially in low light.

Uses

Tabletop and low, bushy floor plant. Small ones are used in dish gardens and terrariums.

Neanthe Bella Palm Care Guide

Light Requirements:

Neanthe Bella Palms grow best in moderate, bright, indirect light. Be sure to keep them out of direct sun, which can scorch the fronds.

They can tolerate lower light, but growth will slow even more. If your palm starts looking a little pale or the fronds feel less sturdy, it’s probably in need of more light. During the darker winter months, you may need to temporarily relocate it to a brighter spot to keep it happy. Yours is likely growing near a wall or in a corner, so give it a turn every 3–6 months so it receives light on all sides and grows evenly.

I live in sunny Arizona, and with all the windows in my home, my houseplants enjoy plenty of natural light. If your natural light is limited, a basic full-spectrum grow light can be effective in keeping your palm healthy throughout the year. 

Watering

Average to low. I water when the soil is halfway dry, about every 7-14 days in summer. It requires less water in lower light conditions and in the cooler, darker winter months.  I use a soil moisture meter to tell me when my plants need water—it’s a real time-saver when you have over 75 houseplants and don’t want to stick your finger in every pot!

I can’t give you an exact watering schedule. Adjust the frequency according to your plant’s pot size, soil mix composition, time of year, and your home’s environment. You want a happy medium with this plant, not bone dry or soggy wet. The smaller the pot, the more often it will need watering. And, I always use room-temperature water for my plants.

 The tips of this plant will brown if you have a high concentration of minerals in your water. Over time, tap water can lead to salt buildup, which often shows up as brown tips or edges on the leaves. If your tap water is high in minerals, switching to filtered water can help. I use a tankless reverse osmosis system in the kitchen that adds beneficial minerals back in, and it’s what I use to water all of my indoor plants.

You might be interested in this beginner’s guide to watering indoor plants.

Temperature

If your home feels comfortable to you, your houseplants will likely feel the same. Just keep your Neanthe Bella Palm out of the direct path of cold drafts, AC vents, or heat sources.

Humidity

In their natural habitat, these tropical plants grow in high-humidity environments. Fortunately, they’re quite adaptable and can handle the drier air in our homes fairly well. That said, the dry indoor air can cause brown tips on the leaves over time.

If your home tends to be dry, you can try running a small tabletop humidifier when the humidity levels drop. Misting a few times a week can help give your palm a boost. Another easy option is to place the pot on a pebble tray or saucer filled with water—make sure the bottom of the pot sits above the waterline, not in it. Grouping plants can also help. 

Fertilizing

Spring and summer—the active growing season—are the best times to fertilize your palm. If you live in a temperate climate with a longer growing season, early fall is fine too. How often you feed depends on the type of fertilizer you’re using and the climate zone you’re in.

I live in Tucson, AZ, where the growing season lasts for several months, so I feed my houseplants about seven to eight times a year. If you’re in a cooler climate, three to five times a year might be all your plant needs.

I rotate between a few fertilizers for my indoor plants—Grow Big, Liquid Kelp, and Maxsea or Sea Grow—and use them one at a time, not mixed together. I usually feed monthly and follow the directions on the label.

Fertilizing too often or using excessive amounts can cause salt buildup, leading to root and leaf burn. You’ll notice this as brown edges or spots on the leaves. If you’re feeding more than three times a year, start with a half-strength solution to be safe.

Skip the fertilizer in late fall and winter—your plant’s not actively growing then. And always avoid fertilizing a stressed plant, especially if it’s bone dry or waterlogged. Water it, then fertilize on the next cycle.

Soil

These palms thrive in a well-draining, chunky soil mix that’s also rich in organic matter. When it’s time to repot mine, I’ll use a blend of about 2/3 high-quality houseplant potting mix (I use Happy Frog and Ocean Forest) and 1/3 DIY succulent and cactus mix, which includes coco chips, coco peat, and pumice for extra drainage. I also like to toss in a few handfuls of compost for a little nutrient boost.

If you want to keep it simple, an indoor palm or cactus mix works just fine—make sure it drains well and doesn’t feel too heavy or compacted.

Repotting

Due to its slow growth, repotting isn’t needed yearly; every three to five years should do it. Spring and summer are the best times to repot.

Increase one pot size from its current pot – for instance, from a 6″ pot to an 8″ pot. Make sure there’s at least one drainage hole on the bottom of the pot so excess water can readily flow out, preventing root rot.

More information: when & why to repot a plant, plus a general repotting guide.

Pruning

Not much pruning is needed. Like all palms, the Neanthe Bella will occasionally get yellow or brown leaves—trim them off at the base of the stem. Since this plant grows densely, the upper fronds can sometimes shade the lower ones, causing some of them to yellow and eventually turn brown. That’s just the nature of this plant; prune them off.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate a Neanthe Bella Palm is by division. Remove it from the pot and gently separate it by hand, or use a clean knife if necessary. Stem and leaf cuttings won’t work with this one. Growers start them from seed, but that’s a slow and tricky process most plant lovers would rather skip!

Pests

This plant is susceptible to spider mites and may develop them, especially during the cooler months when the heat is turned on. We replaced many of these palms in offices because once the infestation becomes severe, it’s difficult to control. Keep an eye out for scale insects – mealybugs and hard shell scale.

Pet Safety

Good news! Neanthe Bella Palms are non-toxic to pets, according to the ASPCA.

Neanthe Bella Palm FAQs

Is it normal for lower fronds (leaves) to yellow and die off?

Yes, yellow leaves at the bottom are normal.  Since this plant grows densely, the upper fronds can shade the lower ones, causing some of them to yellow and eventually turn brown. 

Can I grow it in a bathroom?

Sure thing—as long as the lighting conditions are sufficient. Bathrooms are great for Neanthe Bellas because of the added humidity, but they need bright, natural light to keep that lush foliage thriving. If your bathroom has a window, it could be a great spot.

What’s the difference between a Neanthe Bella Palm and a Bamboo Palm?

They’re a different species, but the genus is the same – Chamaedorea. Bamboo Palms are taller floor plants, whereas Neanthe Bellas are tabletop plants or low, bushy floor plants. 

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

Brown leaf tips are typically caused by dry air. I live in the desert, so quite a few of my indoor plants have them!

Why do the leaves on my Neanthe Bella Palm have specks or look dusty and dull?

Some houseplants are more prone to common pests than others, and this is one of them. Neanthe Bellas are susceptible to spider mites (tiny sap-suckers) that cause pale specks, dull-looking leaves, and a mottled appearance. If things progress, you may spot fine webbing.

Back in my interiorscaping days, I noticed these pests often appeared when the heat kicked on in the fall and winter—like they came out of nowhere!

How do I clean my Parlor Palm?

It’s best to give your beautiful indoor palm a gentle rinse in the shower or take it outside for a good hosing. I clean mine once or twice a year—it not only looks good, but clean leaves help the plant breathe and stay healthier.

A guide to cleaning houseplants.

Conclusion: Although it can be prone to spider mites, the Neanthe Bella is a low-maintenance plant that brings tropical vibes to your indoor space. With proper care, this popular houseplant will continue to look good for years to come.

Happy gardening,

Video Guide (warning: this video was filmed years ago!)

• About the Author
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Nell Foster

Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.

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• How To Clean Houseplant Leaves: How & Why To Do It 
• Neanthe Bella Palm Care: Growing A Chamaedorea Elegans 
• When & Why to Repot Houseplants for Thriving Indoor Plants