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Gardening 101, Houseplant Care ·

Neanthe Bella Palm: Care Tips For This Table Top Plant

Neanthe Bella Palm: Care Tips For This Table Top Palm

The Neanthe Bella Palm is widely grown and sold in the trade as a table top palm. You’ll frequently see it used in dish gardens and mixed plantings as a fluffy little filler amongst kalanchoes, african violets, pothos and more.

A viewer on Youtube requested that I do a vlog on the Neanthe Bella Palm care so I’m finally getting around to it.

When I was an interior plantscaper, we used this plant a lot on our accounts. It propagates easily, grows relatively fast, can easily be found and doesn’t put a big dent in the wallet. These factors all add up to make this houseplant, also called a Parlor Palm, very popular. It eventually grows into a nice, bushy floor plant maxing out at 3′

Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides For Your Reference:

Neanthe Bella Palm care tips here:

The info’s in the video but here’s the shortened version of what you need to know:

Light:

Low to medium. It does better & grows more in medium light but will tolerate lower levels.

Water:

Average. Every 7-10 days will be enough.  The smaller the pot, the more often it will need to be watered.  Here’s my vlog on how to water houseplants.

Temperature:

As I always say, if you house in comfortable for you, it will be for your plants too.

Fertilizer:

Once in the spring will do it.  Organix RX is a good organic fertilizer for houseplants.

Update: Read about my worm compost/compost feeding right here.

Here’s the skinny on the Neanthe Bella Palm as a houseplant: it comes with good news and bad news.

First the good: this plant is not toxic to pets as many others are.  So, if Fluffy or Rover love to chew on the crunchy leaves of plants as my kitty Oscar does, there’ll be no harm done.

The bad news is, this plant is subject to spider mites and is sure to get them especially when you turn the heat on. We replaced oodles of these palms in offices because once the infestation gets bad, it’s hard to control. You can find out how to get the upper hand on this insect and others in my book Keep Your Houseplants Alive.

Most palms, like the Kentia, Bamboo and Areca, are floor plants. So, if you don’t have a lot of space, consider this one to use on a table, desk or counter.

Despite the fact that it is prone to spider mites, the Neanthe Bella is an easy care houseplant. Like bringing a little bit of the tropics into your home!

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You can see the Neanthe Bella in the back of this massive basket garden I’m holding.

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Here are some babies – the grower uses this size in smaller dish gardens.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ethan says

    Thank you very much these care tips were very helpful. I have a Neanthe Bella and I needed some advice and I got it so thanks so much.

  3. doris says

    I’ve had my neanthe belle for just over 3 yrs and it is rewarding me this winter with a few flower stalks! No tiny flowers just yet, but I’m sure they’ll pop out soon. These palms have become my favorite houseplant. They are so graceful & delicate looking and I’ve had many friends & family comment on how beautiful they are. The plant that’s flowering was purchased thru the mail, so didn’t know for sure what condition it would arrive in, but it was just fine & has been flourishing.

  4. mraz says

    Oh that’s great to hear Doris. Many people have a harder time with them because of the issue with spider mites. I love it when palms flower indoors! Nell

  6. Nell Foster says

    Melanie – A few ways: mites or their eggs can already be on the plant, they can travel from plant to plant, & they hitchhike in on us. Nell

  7. Mohd says

    I have this plant, the palm. It is in a pot I believe needs to be repotted to a bigger pot. Can I break them up into two so I have two separate pots.
    Thank you for your time.
    Cheers

  10. Nell Foster says

    Yes Dan, you could. Depending on the strength of the fertilizer, you might dilute it to half strength. 1 fertilizing in spring & another in summer should do the trick. Nell

  11. Becky Weber says

    Can this palm be placed outside in the summer months? My front porch faces north and I live in the Midwest.

  12. Nell Foster says

    Hi Becky – Yes you can. With a north exposure, it shouldn’t get any direct sun. Just make sure to spray the entire plant off well with water before bringing it back indoors. Nell

  13. Sarah LIst says

    Hi Nell –
    The leaves on my neanthe bella seem to slowly be turning light brown.
    I am guessing it has something to do with what has been inconsistent watering of late…..either too much or too little. . Only other guess is too much hot summer sun?

    Would appreciate your advice.
    Thanks so much

  15. Sandra Wilson says

    I purchased a small neanthe bella palm and traveled with it while it was in a plastic bag. I am now home and need to pot it but am concerned about what soil medium I should use. I would appreciate your help.

  17. Eve says

    I accidentally left my Bella palm outside in the scorching sun and now half the plant is colorless (albino). Should I clip those leaves off or let the plant heal?

  19. Corey says

    Hi Nell, my palm’s new leaves have been growing with the sides curled inward (kinda like an upside down taco). Any idea why that is? Thanks in advance!

  20. Nell Foster says

    Corey – I’ve never seen that on a Neanthe Bella Palm before. Have you checked to make sure it doesn’t have spider mites? Nell

  22. Jenny sobey says

    How do I prevent spider mites?! I am now throughly disgusted and petrified!

  23. Nell Foster says

    Hi Jenny – Neanthebella Palms are very prone to spider mites. They’re tough to prevent especially when the heat comes on in winter. Keep your eye out for them & treat as soon as you see them. Nell

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