Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
Elegant feathered palm with arching golden-green fronds that can reach 2m indoors. One of the best air-purifying houseplants according to NASA research. Creates an instant tropical feel in any room.
Best rooms for areca palm
Light requirements
Best near a window with filtered light — avoid harsh direct rays.
How to care for areca palm
Place in bright filtered light away from direct midday sun, which scorches the fronds. Water when the top few centimetres of compost dry out. Mist fronds in dry weather or stand near a humidifier. Feed monthly April-September. Minimum 16°C.
Watering
Water when the top 2–3cm of compost feels dry. Roughly weekly.
Propagation
- Division of clumps in spring
- Seed (very slow)
Toxicity
This plant is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
Common problems
- Brown frond tips from dry air or fluoride in tap water
- Yellow fronds from overwatering
- Spider mites in dry conditions
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