Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
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Bright, indirect light
Moderate; keep soil slightly moist
Easy to moderate
Up to 6–10 ft indoors
Details
🪴 Plant Type
Perennial, tropical palm
🌍 Native Region
Native to Madagascar
📈 Growth Habit
Upright, bushy palm with clumping stems and feathery, arching fronds
📐 Size
Indoors: Up to 6–10 feet tall
Outdoors: Can reach 20 feet or more
Spread: 3–5 feet
🌸 Bloom Time
Rarely flowers indoors; yellow flowers may appear in summer outdoors
Care Requirements
☀️ Light
Prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Can tolerate some direct morning light, but too much direct sun can scorch leaves
💧 Water
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering — yellow or brown tips may indicate too much or too little water. High humidity preferred
🌍 Soil
Well-draining potting mix (ideally for palms). pH: Neutral to slightly acidic (6.1 to 6.5)
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal: 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Avoid cold drafts and temps below 50°F (10°C)
🧪 Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during growing season (spring to summer). Reduce feeding in fall and winter
Additional Information
🌱 Propagation Methods
Best propagated via division of clumps during repotting. Not easily propagated from seed indoors
🐛 Common Problems
Brown tips: Low humidity or inconsistent watering. Yellowing fronds: Overwatering or root rot. Pests: Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale
🌿 Companion Plants
Pairs well with other tropical plants like: Snake Plant (Sansevieria), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum), ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
⚠️ Special Notes
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (great for pet-friendly homes!). Excellent air-purifying plant per NASA Clean Air Study. Likes to be a bit root-bound, so don’t rush repotting