Chamaedorea microspadix
Hardy bamboo palm, Bamboo palm
Also known as Chamaedorea metallica
- Height × spread
- 4m × 2.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This small ornamental palm is found growing naturally in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental in central east Mexico where it is found in lightly forested areas. It grows in suckering clumps. The stems are slender, coloured dark green with white rings. The fronds are long with individual elliptic leaves, coloured dark green but having a silvered look. If the underside is stroked the surface has a soft satin like feel. The palm leaves arch gracefully. There are small white flowers followed by clusters of orange or red fruits. It makes a fine feature, growing naturally into a group, or can make a useful screen. Prune out excessive stems to achieve the desired architectural effect. An individual trunked specimen stands 4 metres high with a 2.5 metre spread. This is not frost-hardy.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Orange, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Weeping
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 2.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.8m
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 16C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Architectural, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring · Planting
Repot yearly
Repot yearly if grown in a pot. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.
Be careful to ensure the roots are spread out in the new pot, and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and make sure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
16C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 16 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.