Costa Rican Parlor Palm Plant Care
Chamaedorea costaricana Oerst.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chamaedorea costaricana is a species of palm in the genus Chamaedorea, found in Central America. A common local name in Costa Rica is pacaya, though this is also used as a name for Chamaedorea tepejilote.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Water Costa Rican Parlor Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Costa Rican Parlor Palm Native To?
What Is the Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Costa Rican Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea costaricana) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Chamaedorea genus. Costa Rican Parlor Palm is native to Central America.
Costa Rican Parlor Palm displays a slow-growing, clumping palm growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Costa Rican Parlor Palm produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Chamaedorea costaricana requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Costa Rican Parlor Palm Need?
Costa Rican Parlor Palm thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Costa Rican Parlor Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Costa Rican Parlor Palm Prefer?
Chamaedorea costaricana grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Costa Rican Parlor Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Costa Rican Parlor Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Feed Costa Rican Parlor Palm every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Costa Rican Parlor Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to parlor palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Costa Rican Parlor Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Costa Rican Parlor Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Costa Rican Parlor Palm?
Costa Rican Parlor Palm is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Costa Rican Parlor Palm Need?
Costa Rican Parlor Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Costa Rican Parlor Palm is native to Central America. In cooler regions, grow Costa Rican Parlor Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Costa Rican Parlor Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chamaedorea genus — compare its care with other Chamaedorea species on PlantoScan.
Chamaedorea is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Costa Rican Parlor Palm copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Chamaedorea Species
Other Chamaedorea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chamaedorea costaricana Oerst., family Arecaceae (first published in Vidensk. Meddel. Naturhist. Foren. Kjøbenhavn 1858: 19 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Costa Rican Parlor Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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