Happy Flower Pot

Parlor palm

Chamaedorea elegans (Palmae)

Also called Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm, Good Luck Palm, Bamboo Palm.

Cats and dogs

Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Cats: non-toxic Dogs: non-toxic

Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.

Source: ASPCA entry "Parlor Palm", checked October 3, 2026.

Light

  1. Low light 3+ mol Copes
  2. Medium light 6+ mol Copes
  3. Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
  4. Direct sun 12+ mol

Grows best in bright, indirect light (NC State suggests near a north- or east-facing window) but is one of the palms best able to tolerate low light. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the fronds; very poor light gives yellowing leaves and weak growth.

Direct sun: best kept out of it.

On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 0.5 (how these numbers are set).

Will it grow in my window?

Care

Care level: Easy. Water: Let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings and never leave it standing in water; water less in winter.

Clemson lists it among low-light indoor plants, and its indoor palms factsheet says parlor palms tolerate lower light well (Clemson).

More pet-safe plants for similar light

Sources