Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
ABOUT
Dypsis lutescens grows to a height of 20-40 feet. Numerous stems emerge from the base. The branches are arched, 6.5 feet to 10 feet long, pinnate, with 40-60 pairs of leaflets.
In summer, the plant displays panicles of yellow flowers.
It grows as an ornamental plant in gardens in tropical regions, and as an indoor plant.
The fruit of the Areca Palm is food for some bird species.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Arecaceae
Synonyms
Golden Cane Palm, Areca Palm, Yellow Palm, Butterfly Palm, Bamboo Palm, Cane Palm, Golden Yellow Palm, Golden-Feather Palm, Madagascar Palm, Yellow Butterfly Palm, Dypsis
Common names
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Areca flavescens , Chrysalidocarpus baronii var. littoralis , Chrysalidocarpus glaucescens
ToxicityTo humans
Areca Palm leaves has no poisonous properties.
Please note that the inflorescences and berries of this plant are poisonous.To pets
Areca Palm leaves has no poisonous properties.
Please note that the inflorescences and berries of this plant are poisonous.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
40 feet
Spread
13 feet
Plant type
Palm
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Madagascar
Benefits
General BenefitsThis plant requires no special care and, unlike other indoor plants. It can survive occasional over-watering. The Areca Palm can be easily pruned to control size. The only requirement is bright indirect light, as the plant cannot grow in a dark place;
It is non-toxic to pets and children;
Areca Palm will beautify your home with its fine texture and ability to green year-round with minimal effort. Moreover, it gives your room a tropical touch.
Medical PropertiesAreca Palm is used to treat a mental disorder - schizophrenia;
It is used to treat glaucoma;
It is also used as a mild stimulant and digestive aid.
Do not use Areca Palm without consulting your doctor. Although the plant is not poisonous, it may cause personal intolerance.
Air-purifying QualitiesAreca palm can help reduce indoor air pollution by breaking down compounds such as acetone, xylene, formaldehyde and toluene, resulting in pollution-free air;
By having a large leaf surface area, it can produce more oxygen;
It also improves the humidity of the air.
Other UsesBasket weaving: The leaves of the Areca palm are flexible and durable, making them suitable for weaving into baskets, mats, and other handicrafts.
Pulp production: The leaves of the Areca palm can also be used to produce pulp for papermaking.
Traditional medicine: In traditional medicine, the Areca palm has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, dysentery, and digestive issues.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiAreca Palm is considered lucky. It brings wealth, peace, and prosperity to the house, pushing out negative energy, and attracting positivity.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityLeos' main qualities are strong-willed character, loyalty and positive aura. Areca Palms are tropical plants that represent fire, the main symbol of the zodiac sign Leo.
Plant SymbolismThe Areca palm is a popular houseplant that has various symbolic meanings in different cultures and traditions:
Prosperity and wealth: In feng shui, the Areca palm is believed to attract prosperity and wealth into the home or workplace. It is often placed near the front door or in the wealth area of a room to promote financial success.
Peace and harmony: The Areca palm is associated with peace and harmony and is often used in meditation and mindfulness practices to create a calm and tranquil environment.
Growth and vitality: The Areca palm is a plant that thrives in warm and humid conditions and is often associated with growth and vitality. It is a popular plant for those seeking to bring new life and energy into their homes or offices.
Health and well-being: The Areca palm is believed to have air-purifying qualities and is often used in interior design to promote health and well-being by purifying the air and reducing toxins.
Longevity and endurance: The Areca palm is a hardy plant that can withstand a variety of conditions and is known for its longevity. It is often associated with endurance and the ability to overcome challenges and obstacles.
WaterAreca palms do not require much water. In summer, watering once every 7 to 14 days is sufficient;
In winter, watering time is reduced to once every 14 to 21 days, as they tend to grow more slowly during these months.
LightAreca Palma needs bright indirect light.
Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, as it can burn the foliage. But an overly dark location can also damage your plant. Palms don't grow or grow very poorly in the shade.
It is recommended to turn to the light, otherwise the plant will cover the leaves unevenly.
TemperatureAreca palm is a heat-loving plant, so it needs temperature between 65°F and 75°F.
Can survive a short-term drop in temperature of up to 60 °F.
PruningYou can prune the branches of an areca palm to make sure that all the leaves get enough light. The palm is not sensitive to pruning, so you can trim the plant to give it the shape you want. Or don't trim, just get rid of old and diseased leaves as needed. However, it is not advisable to cut off the brown tips of your palm leaves. Cutting off brown tips can cause the entire leaf to die. Therefore, only cut off dead tips if they have turned brown or look unsightly.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThere are different options, but for young plants a mixture of turf, leaf, humus soil and sand in a 2:2:2:1 ratio. As the palm trees get older, the proportion of turf soil increases. The best ready-made soils are for palms, for Dracaenas or for Yuccas. Others are less desirable.
RepottingAs long as the palm is young, it should be repotted regularly once a year, while older plants should be repotted about once every 3 years. Very large and old plants are not transplanted, but instead the top layer of soil in the pot is replaced every year.
Humidity & MistingAverage humidity of 40-60% is perfect.
Suitable locationsIndoor
All year round
Outdoor
In suitable climatic conditions, it is often grown as an ornamental outdoor plant.
Can be kept outside and in a pot if the temperature is not below 60 °F.Hardiness zone
10 - 12 USDA
Life cycleIt should be noted that areca palms are not propagated by cuttings.
After precipitation, the first leaves appear after about 2 months if you follow the right conditions. Once the plant has its first leaves, it should be transplanted into a separate, small container. Next - the plant is transplanted as it grows and fills the pot with the root system.
Repotting should be done until the plant reaches adulthood, which is about 3-4 years.
Please note that the inflorescences and berries of this plant are poisonous!
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The Areca palm can be propagated by seed or shoots.
Examine the base of the Areca palm for any offshoots growing from the main branch. Use a sharp knife to separate this offshoot from the main plant.
Gently free the offshoot from the soil.
Fill a bowl halfway with warm or cool tap water, then submerge the exposed roots in it and soak for 1 hour. After that, plant the plant in the soil.
Plant liberally, and place in a place that should be effectively protected from drafts and direct ultraviolet rays.
Seeds can also be used to propagate the plant.
Before planting, soak the seeds in a solution of sulfuric acid for 10 minutes, then, rinse with running water. Then each seed is sown into the soil to a depth of 1 inch.
After planting with both seedlings and seedlings, the containers are covered to create a greenhouse effect and placed in an illuminated area where the temperature is 80 to 86 °F.
PestsSpider mite, Diaspididae, Whitefly, Mealybug
DiseasesRoot Rot
