How to Care for Indoor Dypsis lutescens Palm Plants
The Dypsis lutescens palm is a member of the Arecaceae family of plants. The common names for this plant are golden palm, yellow butterfly palm, and Areca palm. The tree is native to eastern Madagascar, and it flourishes as a landscape plant in some of Florida's tropical areas. Like many warmth-loving tropical plants, with proper care, Dypsis lutescens palms make attractive potted plants in homes and offices. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Transplant your Dypsis lutescens into its permanent pot. Mix equal amounts of peat moss with potting soil to form a loose, airy medium. Place the soil into a broad-bottomed pot that contains numerous drainage holes. Insert the palm's rootball into the soil, keeping the surface of the rootball at the same level as it grew in its original pot. Place soil around the inner edges of the pot to hold the rootball in place. Place a 1-inch layer of sphagnum moss over the top of the soil to help hold in moisture, especially if you live in an arid climate.
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Place the pot in a deep drip tray to catch excess water. Set the plant in a sunny location within your home. Although Dypsis lutescens grows well in both sunny and shady environments, bright light encourages thick growth and healthy foliage.
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Water your palm plant deeply and slowly, stopping when water begins to appear in the drip tray. These tropical plants require evenly moist soil. Depending on your climate and the size of your palm, you may need to water every five to eight days to keep the soil evenly moist near the level of the roots.
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Rotate the Dypsis lutescens every two to three weeks to provide even amounts of sunlight throughout the foliage. Move the plant back from intense heat and sunlight that streams through nearby windows during the warm summer months.
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Feed the potted palm two or three times during its active growing season. Select a balanced fertilizer labeled for use on palms and foliage-type houseplants. Following the label instructions, apply the food early in the spring and again in late spring and toward the middle of summer.
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Set the Dypsis lutescens outdoors during the summer months to encourage blossoming and help enhance the appearance of a porch or patio. Keep the potted palm in a protected location, away from strong winds and heavy traffic.
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Trim the old fronds when the tips begin to yellow and dry out. Prune off the old, outer leaves near the base to display the lush inner foliage.
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