How to Grow and Care for Areca Palm

Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens) are tall, clumping palms with smooth trunks that are reminiscent of bamboo clumps. Their fronds are narrow, almost like bamboo leaves. These low-maintenance, air-purifying palms grow about half a foot per year indoors, ultimately reaching about 8 feet.

In the summer, small, bright yellow but inconspicuous flowers grow from below the fronds. Although endangered species in its native Madagascar, the palm is a common sight in outdoor plantings in the United States where it grows in warm climates, often lining streets or used as a privacy screen.

Common Names	Areca palm, bamboo palm, golden cane palm, yellow palm
Botanical Name	Dypsis lutescens (formerly Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Family	Arecaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	6-7 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide (indoors), 15-30 ft. tall, 8-10 ft. wide (outdoors)
Sun Exposure	Full, partial
Soil Type	Moist but well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Yellow
Hardiness Zones	10–11 (USDA)
Native Area	Africa

Areca Palm Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing an Areca palm:

• Choose a location with bright, full, or filtered sunlight.
• Water whenever the soil starts to dry out.
• Maintain warm temperatures if possible, as these plants appreciate 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Plant it in well-draining, slightly acidic soil or special palm potting mix.
• Fertilize regularly during the spring and summer.

Dusting Tip

Areca palms fronds can get quite dusty, but with so many narrow leaves it's tricky to dust. Pop the entire plant in the shower and spray it down with a detachable shower nozzle. Let it drip dry then return it to its spot.

Light

Outdoors, Areca palms like bright, filtered sunlight but they also tolerate full sun. Indoors, Areca palms do best with bright light exposure from a south- or west-facing window.

Soil

Outdoor Areca palms do best in rich, slightly acidic soil with very good drainage. For potted indoor plants, choose a well-draining, peat-based potting mix, ideally a potting mix specially formulated for palms.

Water

Areca palms prefer moist but well-draining soil. They don't like their soil to dry out completely in between waterings. Check weekly with a moisture meter to see if the soil is approaching dry and water as needed.

Temperature and Humidity

Indoors or outdoors, Areca palm best in average temperatures of 70°F to 80°F. It can survive if the temperature briefly goes below freezing, but for best results it should only be planted where outdoor temperatures are always above 50°F.

Area palm prefers high humidity; if the air is too dry, it's common for leaf tips to turn brown.

Fertilizer

The Areca palm is a heavy feeder that requires fertilizing from spring to early fall. For outdoor plants, use a slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium or a special palm food. Follow the label instructions for amounts and frequency. Do not feed during fall and winter.

Pruning

These palms don't need much pruning or trimming. The Areca palm is self-cleaning, which means it typically will shed its brown fronds on its own. Wait to remove any dying fronds until they are mostly brown, as they still play a role in photosynthesis.

Pruning Tip

Looking for the best pruners for your areca palms? We tested 8 top-rated pruners in our Lab to make sure your plants stay happy and healthy.

Propagating Areca Palm

The best way to propagate Areca palm is through root division. Don't both trying to grow an Areca palm from seed—it's a lengthy process and involves steps not recommended for home gardeners.

Root division can be done at any time during the year, but the plant will be at its strongest in the spring. Here’s how to divide a potted Areca palm by root division:

1. Find the right plant. Choose a mature plant with multiple stems.
2. Loosen the roots. Water well the day before dividing to loosen up the roots from the soil.
3. Remove the plant. Pat the sides of the container to loosen the rootball, then remove the plant from the pot.
4. Shake soil from the roots. Rinse soil from roots to see the roots that belong to each stem.
5. Make the cuttings. Cut four to five stems off the parent plant with a sharp knife.
6. Divide the stems. Gently place divided stems together in a pot with a 2-1 mixture of regular potting soil and coarse sand.
7. Place plant in the right location. Place the pot in bright and indirect light (not direct sun) and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Potting and Repotting Areca Palms

Areca palms like a somewhat cramped container with ample drainage holes, and crowded roots will aid in keeping the palm's size in check for growing as a houseplant.

Repot every two years or so to refresh the potting soil and remove built-up fertilizer salt deposits. Use the same pot if the palm's root ball still comfortably fits. Otherwise, move up one container size.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Areca palms don’t have serious issues with pests or diseases. Occasionally a palm may be infected with lethal yellowing, an insect-transmitted bacterial disease that causes fronds and ultimately the whole palm to die. Outdoor palms are more likely to become afflicted with this, and because treatment usually isn’t effective, it’s typically best to remove the palm before the disease spreads.

Indoor Areca palms are vulnerable to common houseplant pests, including mites, aphids, mealybugs, scale, and whiteflies, which cause foliage damage and discoloration. Treat any infestation as soon as possible.

Pest to Watch

A good indication that your plant may have aphids is if you notice ants on your plant. Ants appear to feast on the honeydew secretions left behind by aphids.

Common Problems With Areca Palm

Although the plant is easy to care for, it is prone to leaf tip burn, which occurs on both indoor and outdoor Areca palms: Tips and leaves turning yellow or brown can be caused by chilly air, overwatering, underwatering, poor soil conditions, or compacted roots.

From: thespruce