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Chamaedorea seifrizii

Image of Chamaedorea seifrizii

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Arecaceae

Botanical Name

Chamaedorea seifrizii

Plant Common Name

Bamboo Palm

General Description

The airy, upright reed palm is a graceful, easy to grow and thrives in low light conditions. It remains short and manageable and forms suckering clumps of palm canes. Native populations exist from southeastern Mexico to Honduras and naturally inhabit the understory of moist, forested areas. It has been introduced to southern Florida where it tends to be found in disturbed forested areas.

Ferny, pinnately compound leaves of rich green crown this graceful palm year round. In summer, mature specimens produce branched clusters of yellow flowers. The flowers of Chamaedorea are dioecious, which means individual plants have either male flowers or female, never both. Female plants produce lots of small, round fruits after pollination. These turn from green to orange-red to black. Birds eat the black fruits and spread their seeds.

Reed palm grows best in partial to full shade outdoors or bright, indirect light indoors. Evenly moist, fertile soil with good drainage is best and high ambient humidity will also encourage good growth. This is a true tropical that requires protection from frost. Its vertical lines lend themselves well to architectural garden designs. Remove old fronds to reveal the handsome stems that make reed palm look so elegant. Container grown specimens are ideal for patios or interiorscapes.

The fruits contain calcium oxalate crystals and there may be health concerns with the ingestion or handling them. To learn more see: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EP/EP23800.pdf

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 7

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Palm or Cycad

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m (8)

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Mexico, Central America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Yellow

  • Fruit Color

    Orange Red, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Green, Tan

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes