Areca palm (Dypsis Lutescens)

The Areca Palm (Dypsis Lutescens): Bring a piece of tropical rainforest into your home

The Areca palm, also known as the golden palm, is a true tropical enrichment for your interior. This beautiful houseplant, native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, not only brings a touch of the tropics into your home, but is also known for its air-purifying properties. It gets its name ‘golden palm’ from the orange-coloured fruits that can grow on the palm. With its lush leaf volume, the Areca palm effectively filters pollutants from the air.

Caring for an Areca palm

An Areca palm requires more care than other houseplants. The plant likes constantly slightly moist soil and needs plenty of light, but direct sunlight can damage the leaves. These factors make the golden palm a demanding plant, ideal for plant lovers who are willing to give it the necessary care and attention. If you do this properly, you can enjoy this beautiful tropical palm for a long time.

Watering an Areca palm

The Areca palm needs plenty of water to stay healthy. It is important to keep the soil slightly moist, but make sure the plant is not standing in a layer of water to prevent root rot. Regular watering of the leaves is essential, especially in the winter months, to keep the leaves nice and green and prevent disease. Ideally you should water the large plant daily, but at least once a week is recommended.
Check if the Areca palm needs water by sticking your finger into the soil; if it feels dry around the roots, it's time to water. Small bits of water, spread over the week, are better than a large amount all at once.

The perfect location for an Areca palm

The Areca palm needs a light, warm spot to thrive, but it doesn't tolerate direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves. Yellow leaves are a sign of too much direct sunlight, while too little light can stunt growth. So a location with plenty of indirect daylight is ideal. If the palm is close to a radiator, be sure to water it regularly to prevent it from drying out.

Repotting an Areca palm

If you plan to repot your Areca palm, do so in spring or summer when the plant has more energy to recover. Choose a pot at least 20% bigger than the current one, so that the houseplant has enough room to grow and store water. This reduces the risk of root rot by making it less likely that there will be a layer of water at the bottom of the pot.

Pruning the Areca palm

To maintain the graceful appearance of the Areca palm, regular pruning is necessary. Over time the leaves of the golden palm will turn brown, especially at the tips. This is a natural process. Cut away the brown tips to keep the leaves fresh and green. If you need to prune whole leaves, do so as close to the trunk as possible, but don't prune the trunk itself, as new shoots will sprout here.

Food for the Areca palm

The Areca palm grows relatively quickly and therefore appreciates some extra food, especially in spring and summer. When watering, give the plant a little plant food to stimulate growth. Avoid feeding in autumn and winter, when the plant is dormant and too much nutrition can be harmful.

Diseases affecting the Areca palm

The Areca palm is susceptible to mealy bugs and spider mites, especially if in a dry environment. Regular spraying helps prevent these pests. If you do notice signs of mealybug, take action quickly. In severe cases, chemical control may be necessary.

Is the Areca palm poisonous?

Good news: the Areca palm is not toxic to humans or pets! This makes the plant a safe choice for households with children and pets. Cats sometimes like to nibble the leaves, which can reduce the palm's ornamental value, but it is not harmful to the animal.

How big can the Areca palm grow?

In its natural habitat, the Areca palm can grow up to 5 metres tall. As a houseplant, it usually grows between 1.5 and 3 metres, depending on the pot size.

Buy an Areca palm at Green Bubble

Want to buy a beautiful Areca palm? At Green Bubble you can count on the healthiest and most beautiful plants, straight from the grower. Simply order online and receive your golden palm at home quickly and without fuss. We make sure you never have to drag plants around again. Convenience and quality, that's what Green Bubble stands for.