Where should I put my Parlor Palm?

A bedroom, hallway, or office with moderate light — parlor palms tolerate lower light than almost any other palm, making them ideal for spots most palms would fail. Best window direction: East- or north-facing; avoid direct sun. Best distance: 4–8 feet from a moderate window; can sit beside a north window. Target light: 100–400 fc (low to medium).

What temperature does a Parlor Palm need?

Parlor Palm prefers 60–80°F (16–27°C).

Placement · Parlor Palm

Where to Put Your Parlor Palm

A bedroom, hallway, or office with moderate light — parlor palms tolerate lower light than almost any other palm, making them ideal for spots most palms would fail.

Best window

East- or north-facing; avoid direct sun

Distance from window

4–8 feet from a moderate window; can sit beside a north window

Target light

100–400 fc (low to medium)

Room temperature

60–80°F (16–27°C)

What to avoid

Direct sun (causes yellow scorched fronds), dry air from heater vents (causes brown tips), and overwatering — root rot is their #1 killer

Most common placement mistake

Placing in a south-facing sunny window because "palms need light." Parlor palms evolved on Central American rainforest floors and burn in direct sun.

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a free smartphone app like Light Meter or with a $20 digital light meter. As reference points:

50\u2013100 fc: A bright corner away from any window — most low-light tolerant plants only
100\u2013400 fc: A few feet from a north or east window — medium light
400\u20131000 fc: Right next to a bright east window or 3\u20136 feet from a south window — bright indirect
1000+ fc: Directly in a south or west window — full sun, only suitable for succulents and high-light tropicals

Source: NC State Extension

For full Parlor Palm care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the Parlor Palm care guide. Or check out how big Parlor Palm gets.