Blog, Gardening 101, Houseplants · 05/19/2015

Neanthe Bella Palm: Care Tips For This Table Top Plant

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′

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!

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

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

« I Have Somethings To Show You: Los Angeles Flower District Cut Flowers

Mint: How To Care For and Plant This Fragrant Herb »

Comments

Ethan says
10/06/2017 at 4:14 pm
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.
Nell says
10/07/2017 at 3:14 pm
Glad to hear that Ethan. They’re really easy to maintain but just your eyes open for spider mites. It’s usually an issue at some point. Here’s a post & video on spider mites I did: https://www.joyusgarden.com/plant-pests-spider-mites-whiteflies/ Nell
doris says
01/30/2018 at 1:07 pm
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.
mraz says
02/02/2018 at 10:44 am
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
Melanie says
03/13/2018 at 4:57 pm
Exactly how does a neantha belle aquire spider mites?
Nell Foster says
03/15/2018 at 5:02 pm
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
Mohd says
04/22/2018 at 2:19 pm
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
Nell Foster says
04/26/2018 at 9:44 am
Yes you can. I’ve never done it but was told it could change the appearance of the palm a bit. Nell
Dan Schneck says
05/16/2018 at 8:02 am
Could you use house plant liquid to mix with water also.
Nell Foster says
05/17/2018 at 10:14 am
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
Becky Weber says
05/29/2018 at 11:22 am
Can this palm be placed outside in the summer months? My front porch faces north and I live in the Midwest.
Nell Foster says
06/05/2018 at 11:21 am
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
Sarah LIst says
07/11/2018 at 7:49 pm
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
Nell Foster says
08/17/2018 at 10:11 pm
Hi Sarah – It could be a watering issue, usually from too much water. They don’t like to be in direct, hot sun & that’ll cause burn. It could also lack of humidity or spider mites, which NBPs are prone too. I don’t have a definite answer because I can’t see it but those reasons will give you something to go on. Here’s a piece on spider mites: https://www.joyusgarden.com/plant-pests-spider-mites-whiteflies/ Nell