Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea tepejilote) | seeds, 10 pcs.

• Scientific name: Chamaedorea tepejilote
• Danish names: Bjergpalme, tepejilote-palme
• English names: Pacaya palm, tepejilote palm

Chamaedorea tepejilote is better known as the Pacaya palm – an exciting palm from the humid rainforests of Central America, where it has been cultivated for generations both as a useful and ornamental plant. The species is particularly known for its young inflorescences, which are still considered a delicacy in, among other places, Guatemala and southern Mexico.

The palm grows naturally on the forest floor from Mexico to Panama, where it thrives in partial shade under the canopy of tall trees. This origin makes it more shade-tolerant than many other palms, which has contributed to its popularity among collectors and plant enthusiasts.

The elegant, dark green leaves and slender trunks give the plant a classic tropical look. At the same time, it is one of the largest species in the Chamaedorea genus, making it especially attractive to growers who want a more prominent rainforest palm.

If you are interested in exotic palms from all over the world, you can also explore the rest of our palm seed category.

Cultivation and requirements

Chamaedorea tepejilote thrives best in light to partial shade and prefers:

• Humus-rich and well-drained soil
• Consistent moisture without being constantly waterlogged
• High humidity
• Warm and stable temperatures

A well-drained palm potting mix or tropical plant soil with high organic content is ideal. During the growing season, you can supplement with a mild, organic fertilizer to support healthy growth and beautiful foliage.

The species is not frost-tolerant and in Denmark, it is best grown as an indoor, greenhouse, or conservatory plant. The temperature should ideally be kept above 15 °C all year round.

As the species naturally grows on the rainforest floor, direct and harsh midday sun should be avoided, especially for young plants.

Growing from seed

Seeds of Chamaedorea tepejilote germinate best under warm and humid conditions. For the best result, we recommend:

• Soaking in lukewarm water for 24–48 hours
• Sowing in a well-drained and slightly moist soil mix
• Temperature of 24–28 °C
• High humidity during germination

Germination typically occurs within 1–6 months but can be irregular. The young plants grow moderately and gradually develop their characteristic pinnate leaves.

Utility and collector value

Chamaedorea tepejilote is grown as both an ornamental and a collector's palm. The species stands out from many other palms due to its long history as a useful plant, where the young inflorescences are harvested as "pacaya" and used in Central American cuisine.

For palm collectors, the species is particularly interesting because of its combination of elegant rainforest growth, good shade tolerance, and intriguing cultural history. While species such as Chamaedorea radicalis are often grown for their unusual cold tolerance, Chamaedorea tepejilote is best known as the classic Pacaya palm with edible inflorescences and a long tradition as a useful plant in Central America.

Chamaedorea tepejilote is an obvious choice for the plant enthusiast who wants to grow a beautiful and unique palm from scratch – a species with tropical elegance, fascinating uses, and high collector value.