Chamaedorea Species, Metallic Palm, Miniature Fishtail Palm

Chamaedoreametallica

Family
Arecaceae (ar-ek-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Chamaedorea (kam-ee-DOR-ee-uh)
Species
metallica (meh-TAL-ih-kuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Red-Orange
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bloom Time
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Palms
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Berkeley, California

Encino, California

Hayward, California

Oceanside, California

Reseda, California

San Anselmo, California

Santa Rosa, California

Tarzana, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Upland, California

Big Pine Key, Florida

Bradenton, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Delray Beach, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Grant, Florida

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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E
Santa Rosa, CA | June 2016 | positive

I've had a pair of these palms for about ten years. They are 5ft. Tall. The male plant produces branched stems of orange pollen flower...Read More

B
Hayward, CA | October 2012 | positive

Does fine in the SF Bay Area. To get the metallic color it needs a few hours of sunlight. I wish I had more.

C
(Zone 10b) | May 2011 | positive

A great little palm for shaded gardens in Sydney.

S
Old Town, FL | February 2004 | neutral

I haven't grown this actual plant, but have started several types of Chamaedoreas from seed--I have some C. elegans ripening right now on...Read More

K
(Zone 8a) | February 2004 | positive

I love this plant, it's one of my favorite houseplants. The leaves have the most amazing metallic sheen.

I wish it wasn't...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2003 | positive

This is one of the preimere indoor palms, and can be found in many fancier malls throughout Southern California. Many Chamaedorea speci...Read More

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Featured
Red Groundling Moth
(Perigea xanthioides)
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)