Pacaya palm (Chamaedorea tepejilote)
Care, watering, light and tips for Pacaya palm on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Arecaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 5 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 15–40 °C
About Pacaya palm
Pacaya (Chamaedorea tepejilote) is an understory palm native to Mesoamerica, known for its slender, ringed trunk and dark green, pinnate leaves. It's an excellent choice for interiors with indirect light, adding an elegant, vertical tropical touch. Its immature flower buds are edible in some cultures.
Native range
Mexico and Central America
Care tips
It prefers bright, indirect light; direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging, especially in winter. Use a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter. A common mistake is insufficient ambient humidity, which can lead to dry leaf tips.
How to save a dying Pacaya palm
- Warning signs
- Yellow or brown, wilted leaves or dry tips. Slow or no growth. Soil stays wet for too long.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. If waterlogged, remove plant and inspect roots, trim soft ones. Place in bright indirect light with good ambient humidity.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, leading to root rot. Also very dry air or intense direct sunlight burning its leaves.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. If roots aren't completely rotted and there are still some green leaves, there's hope.