How to Care for an Areca Palm Tree

Areca palm is often grown and cared for as a houseplant.

Native to the Madagascar islands, areca palm trees require warm tropical environments to survive outdoors in the landscape. This is available in few areas of the U.S. However, areca palm is not only suitable but very popular as an indoor plant. This palm adds a tropical touch to any setting and also acts as an air purifier by removing harmful toxins from the surrounding air. Growing an areca palm tree only requires a little extra attention.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears
• Pot
• Potting soil

1. Keep the areca palm tree in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Find a location about five feet from a sunny window and away from any drafts.

2. Water the areca palm tree until you see water drain out the bottom of the pot, but never leave any water in the drainage tray that may cause root rot. Do not use water that contains any salts or minerals. Wait until the soil dries a few inches down to water again.

3. Apply a palm-type fertilizer monthly or as directed throughout the growing season from spring to fall. Or use a time-released formula once or twice a year as needed.

4. Prune the areca palm tree only as required to remove any fronds that have already died or to get rid of any unwanted shoots that emerge. It is common for the tips of the fronds to turn brown and it is not recommended to trim them, which could stop further development of that branch.

5. Repot the areca palm tree in the spring when it outgrows its container. Use a container one size bigger and a palm-type potting soil, and never plant the areca palm tree deeper than it was before.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the Areca palm with soap and water if you detect the presence of spider mites. You can also apply a pest remover or miticide.

• Dust the leaves of the Areca palm to improve the overall appearance.

• Don't snip brown ends of Areca palm leaves as this will cease the growth of that frond. If an entire frond deadens and turns yellow down to the root, you should remove the whole frond.

References

• University of Florida Extension; Dypsis Lutescens, Areca Palm; Melissa H. Friedman, et al.; May 2010
• Floridata; Dypsis Lutescens; Jeff Bielski; January 2000
• University of Minnesota Extension; Growing Palms Indoors; Deborah L. Brown; October 1998
• University of Hawaii at Manoa: Areca Palm

Resources

• North Dakota State University; Large Houseplants; Ronald C. Smith; March 1997