Chamaedorea costaricana
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Chamaedorea costaricana

Bamboo palm · Costa Rican bamboo palm

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun Toxicity: low
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
160
Observations
24

Description

Source: leafsnap

Chamaedorea costaricana is a species of palm in the genus Chamaedorea, found in Central America. A common local name in Costa Rica is pacaya, though this is also used as a name for Chamaedorea tepejilote.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

Pacaya occurs naturally in habitats like forest understories or rocky sites, where it is subject to natural shade. It favors partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, demonstrating its hardy and adaptable nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Pacaya comes from tropical areas, where the weather is usually warm and humid. Therefore it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature shifts and prefers a steady thermal environment, so avoiding temperature variations indoors is important. It generally cannot endure cold conditions and needs warmer temperatures to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity normal (40-60%)

This plant will thrive in moderate humidity, which is probably the level in your home. However, misting it a few times a week can be very beneficial. Make sure the room has good ventilation.

Humidity: normal (40-60%)
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

To encourage healthy growth, fertilize your Pacaya in early spring. Regular feeding improves overall health, producing vigorous growth, greater resilience in harsh conditions, and enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. Follow a consistent fertilization schedule for your Pacaya to keep its foliage vibrant with rich color and a lush appearance.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Palm
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Chamaedorea
Family
Arecaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
2.13 m to 3.96 m
Mature Spread
1.52 m to 2.44 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Forest Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
All year round
Native Area
Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Bamboo palm
en Costa Rican bamboo palm