I Have A Chamaedorea Radicalis That Seems To Be Doing…
Yvonne Asked
I have a chamaedorea radicalis that seems to be doing well so far by the window. The leaves are spreading out and the plant is widening. I give it water every five days. Why are the leaves spreading out? I may have to move it from the window to give it more room to spread its leaves.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Yvonne: It sounds like your palm is very happy. Usually when we bring our plants indoors for the winter, they do not continue to put on new growth. If your palm is an indoor plant year-round, it would make more sense that it is still growing because it is acclimated to the environment. You can certainly move it away from the window if it needs more space. It is a shade-lover so if it is in a sunny window it might be a good idea to move it anyway. Chamaedorea radicalis is commonly known as a Radicalis palm. It is considered a dwarf palm, native to Mexico. These palms only get to be about 5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. So at least you know it is not going to take over the house! The foliage is spreading because this is the natural growth habit of the palm, very open and loose. They are typically slow growers and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Watering every five days is fine. Watering our indoor plants depends on the temperature and humidity of our homes, but it seems like you have that all figured out. Keep doing what you are doing, and move it if you feel like it is too big for the space.
