Parlor Palm Seeds: Complete Grow & Buying Guide

The proverb “Beauty is only a skin-deep” would come to mind if you ever encounter Parlor Palm seeds.

Inside every black and shiny fruit hides a hideous seed that might look like a waste at first sight.

However, you must meet a few requirements to raise the hideous seed into a beautiful plant.

Generally, Parlor Palm seeds require warmer temperatures of 25 to 30°C, high humidity with good draining acidic to neutral organic compost, and sowing depths of 3 to 6 mm to attain germination within 10 to 42 days.

One of my friends informed me about the challenges of harvesting and germinating the Parlor Palm seeds when I initially received them.

I am avidly interested in plants and was determined to see them for myself.

Read on to learn about my experience with the Parlor Palm seeds, from harvesting to germination.

Overview of Parlor Palm Seeds

Do you know that “Good luck Palms” is another name for Parlor Palms?

Their seeds, however, tell a different tale because, contrary to what their name might imply, they do not germinate luckily.

But there are some intriguing traits to look out for with the seeds. Check them out in the table below.

One of the downsides of Parlor Palms is they take years to reach a height of flowering stature and produce seeds.

Furthermore, the seeds have very little viability after harvesting. You should sow them immediately rather than storing them for later use.

How Do You Get Parlor Palm Seeds?

In Parlor Palms, flowering results in the formation of fruits. However, you need to poke the fruits open to get to the seeds.

Fortunately, the plant indicates that the seeds are ready for harvest by altering the color of the flowering stem.

Look at the blossoming stem’s deep reddish-orange hue. This is the plant’s signal to collect the fruits so you can gather the seeds.

However, collecting the seeds is the most crucial aspect of forcing the plant to produce additional blossoms.

Hence, you don’t have to worry about the seeds once flowering starts in your Parlor Palm.

Parlor Palm is a little picky regarding flowering needs. However, fertilizer has a significant impact on the development of blooms.

Make sure to apply slow-releasing fertilizer with an effective phosphorus content to the soil.

To ensure a decent harvest of fruits, fertilize your plant once every three to four weeks throughout the flowering season and cease during the winter.

Essential Tools for Harvesting

You might need certain tools to ensure a successful harvest of seeds from your Parlor Palm.

Get an idea about the tool requirements from the table given below.

Steps to Collect the Seeds from Parlor Palm

Before extracting the seeds, examine your Parlor Palm’s flowering stem in detail.

You can harvest the seeds immediately by following these instructions if it is reddish-orange.

• Wear gardening gloves as a safety measure before collecting the seeds.
• Place a saucer below the flowering stem to catch the fruits.
• You can shake the flowering stem; the ripe fruits fall immediately by the slightest movement.
• You can also try cutting the entire flowering stem containing the fruits using pruning shears without harming the plant.

But, you may not still see the seeds. That is because they are hiding inside the pulpy fruits.

Follow the steps below to remove the fruit pulps and get your hands on the seeds.

• When you have collected the fruits, place them in a large bowl.
• Fill the bowl with water; hot water does best.
• Soak for a minute or two or until the water cools down.
• Gently rub away all the pulp with your fingers.
• You can rinse with cold water to remove extra residue from the seeds.
• Soak them in a paper towel for a while until they are dry.

I discovered the hard way that the seeds should be sowed right after the harvest for the best results.

You can also keep the seeds in a small jar or container in a dry area away from sunlight for some time until sowing.

Parlor Palm Seeds for Sale

You can always purchase Parlor Palm seeds online if you are a novice gardener and have trouble obtaining them locally.

Use the table below to help you find an economical store to purchase your Parlor Palm.

Can You Grow a Parlor Palm from Seeds?

Yes, you can. But all we need is a little patience. The Parlor Palm grows slowly.

But providing the seeds with high soil temperatures and humidity conditions makes them germinate faster.

You can aid the seeds’ germination process by soaking them in warm to lukewarm water for one to seven days with a daily water change.

Additionally, following harvest, do not store the seeds for longer than two to three weeks since they begin to lose viability.

But by exposing the seeds to moist stratification, you can raise the likelihood of germination.

However, you must also take care of other requirements of the seeds, such as light, soil potting mix, and sowing depth.

Steps to Propagate Parlor Palm Seeds

Propagating Parlor Palms seeds is easy and takes less time than you think.

Follow the table and prepare yourself by getting a list of materials required for propagation.

Step 1: Prepare the Parlor Palm Seeds

• Before sowing, boost your seeds by soaking them in warm to moderate water for one to seven days.
• You can know if your seeds are ready for sowing when cracks appear on the seed coat and start to green up a little beneath the cracks.
• If you see the above signs, take your seed out from the water and wrap them in paper towels for a few minutes until they are dry.

Voila! your seeds are ready to sow.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil Potting Mix

You can use a soil mix with good drainage for germinating your Parlor Palm seeds.

Follow the steps below to get an idea for preparing the right substrate for germination.

• Assemble components for preparing your substrate mix; peat, coarse sand, perlite, and soil.
• Mix the above items as follows; 2 parts peat + 1 part coarse sand + 1 part perlite + soil in a plastic bag by giving it a good shake.
• You can also stir the ingredients to make a uniform mix in a bucket and sprinkle water just enough to dampen it.
• You can now fill the seed starter tray with this potting mix.

Step 3: Filling the Seed Starter Tray

• The seed starter tray contains multiple “cells” sections,” which you can fill with potting mix.
• Fill the cells of your seed-starter tray about two-thirds full. Leave an inch gap between the mix’s surface and the cell’s brim.

• Tap the seed tray on the table to settle and even the surface of the potting mix.
• Use your hand to tamp the potting mix, but do not overdo it. It should remain fluffy and aerated.
• Your seed starter tray is ready for sowing the seeds.

Step 4: Sowing the Parlor Palm Seeds

• You can sow at least three seeds per cell as all the seeds might not be viable in the case of Parlor Palms.
• Keep at least 2 to 4 inches gaps between two seeds.
• Place the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and gently press so that the seeds settle down easily.
• Sowing depth must be at least one-fourth to one-eighth of an inch.

• Cover the seeds lightly with the potting mix and use a spray bottle to keep the potting mix moist.
• To provide ambient humidity, place a humidity dome over the starter tray. Ensure that the humidity dome has ventilators on top to maintain air circulation.
• Now, you can keep the entire set-up in some place warm such as on a heating pad or near a radiator.

Tip: Place a thermostat inside the dome to maintain the temperatures for seed germination between 25 to 30°C.

Step 5: Potting the Seedlings

You may notice seedlings emerging from the potting mix like wearing a small hat.

That is the outcome of all your patience and hard work. Congratulations!

However, let the seedlings grow and transfer them to a four-inch pot. Take help from the steps below.

• Remove the humidity dome once the seedlings reach a two-leaved stage.
• Take a four-inch pot and fill the same potting mix as you did while filling the cells of the seed starter tray.
• Now, take the seedlings and gently pull them out from their cells.

• Poke a small hole in the new pot and carefully root the seedlings.
• It is better to pot the seedlings a month after germination when the proper roots develop about one to two inches in length.
• Cover the space with potting mix and gently tap to make it firm.
• Place the seedlings over a heating pad in an area with bright indirect sunlight.
• Moisten the seedlings using a spray bottle whenever the soil feels dry to touch and avoid waterlogged conditions.

The plant may seem droopy at first due to transplant shock. Stop worrying and continue providing normal requirements to your Palm; you will see it perk up again in no time.

Care for Parlor Palm Seeds during Propagation

The seedling stage is the second most important stage after germination in the life cycle of Parlor Palms.

To have successful batches of Palm babies, follow the tips below.

• Humidity and temperature are the two most important conditions for the germination and growth of seedlings.
• Place the seedling trays over a heating pad to maintain soil temperatures between 25 to 30°C.
• Cover the seedling trays with a humidity dome with ventilators at the top to maintain moist and humid conditions with good air circulation.
• When the soil inside the dome seems dry to the touch, mist the soil and avoid overwatering.

Tips to Care for Parlor Palm Seedlings After Germination

• Plant the seedlings below a shade net to avoid direct sunlight and provide eight hours of sunlight.
• Only water the seedlings to maintain moisture if the top soil seems dry.
• Maintain the relative humidity levels between 40 to 60% for the best growth of your Parlor Palm.
• Parlor Palm seeds germinate best in organic soil with pH levels between 5.5 to 7. Make sure the soil potting mix you use has enough organic components.

• To avoid damaging the Parlor Palms from frost, keep the soil temperatures above 10°C.
• You can add the fertilizer containing high amounts of nitrogen and potassium for better roots development and overall growth.
• Make sure to dilute the fertilizer solution to a strength of 1/4.
• Watch out for pests like mealy bugs, aphids, and white flies that can damage your Parlor Palms, which you can selectively remove using a dilute spray of isopropyl alcohol.

You can also transport the seedlings to garden soil once they develop true leaves.

Conclusion

Parlor Palm seeds may not be pleasing, but they bless you with a beautiful plant.

All you need to do is practice patience and endure its demanding conditions.

Additionally, pay attention to the plant’s cues to harvest the seeds, such as the flowering stem’s changing color and the need for direct seeding following harvest.

So, show your gardening skills by growing these seeds to the next stage of life.

Happy Gardening!