The bamboo palm is native to seasonally dry forests from southern Mexico to Honduras. It is a member of the palm family (Arecaceae) with clustering, narrow stems with prominent nodes like bamboo. The genus name is compounded from the Greek chamai -, meaning “of the ground,” and - dorea , meaning “gift.” The name references the beauty and low stature of these palms. The species epithet commemorates the collector of the original specimen, William Seifriz. Prefers medium light, slightly moist potting mix and medium relative humidity. This plant will survive in low light conditions. The potting medium must be well-drained. This plant has pest problems. The bamboo palm gets its common name from clusters of cane-like stems. New stems are produced from the base, but the clump expands slowly. It grows up to 7 feet tall and is upright, but outer stems will lean outward from the center. The whole plant can take on the shape of an inverted cone. Floral rachis turns orange with age and can be ornamental. This plant makes an excellent houseplant for low-light areas. This plant is also used in interior landscapes and as a specimen or accent plant. In tropical areas, it can be grown outside as a hedge, accent or foundation plant. Quick ID Hints : Clusters of cane-like stems Leaf evenly pinnately compound, terminal pinnae fused & sometimes larger than others Petioles have thin, membranous base Leaflets are narrowly elliptical, widest in the middle. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Overwatering can cause root rot and stem rot. Monitor for mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites when grown indoors.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 6 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Papery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Evenly pinnately compound and have 5-15 lanceolate pinnae per side. The terminal pinnae basally fused and sometimes larger.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower detail
Flowers are golden yellow. Inflorescence has branched green rachis, and branch bracts are papery and overlapping. Male and female flowers grow on different plants.
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Round, bluish-black fruits. The flesh is irritating if touched.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Slender, cane-like, clumped, erect, and less than an inch in diameter.