How to care for Areca palm

Areca palm is one of the most popular houseplants worldwide. This plant is also widely known as butterfly palm, yellow palm, and golden cane palm. This plant is generally used in interior decorations, in houses, offices and shopping malls also. This tropical plant is very eye-pleasing for its feathery arched fronds, which gives you the beachy vibes.

The botanical name of areca palm is Dypsis lutescens, and it is originally native to Madagascar.  Areca palm is the family member of Arecaceae. You can keep this plant outdoors as well as indoors also. A mature areca palm can increase upto 10 to 30 ft. tall and 8 to 15 ft. broad. Although these plants are slow growers, they grow 6 to 8 inches per year.  An Areca plant’s lifespan is upto 10 years, if cared appropriately. Well, Areca palm does not need too much care or attention.

5 Tips to care for Areca palm

• Potting and soil: Use a study pot with a drainage hole in it. Use a well-drained potting mix which is based on peat and red soil. For outdoors the soil can neutral to slight acidic. 
• Sunlight: As it is native to Madagascar, this is why Areca palm loves sunlight. Outdoor areca palm can endure bright sunlight. Besides, indoor areca palm can tolerate direct sunlight but too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Place your areca palm in an area where it can get indirect sunlight which is good for your plant. 
• Water: Over watering can cause root rot. Water your plant only when your plant’s soil is dry. Use mineral water or rainwater for your palm, and keep the soil moist enough. 
• Fertilizer: Give your plant liquid fertilizer every three to four weeks. Feed your plant frequently in spring to early autumn. 
• Propagation: The best way to propagate an areca plant is by dividing the roots. The best time to propagate a plant is in spring, but you can do this in any time of the year.

Areca plant’s problem:

• Brown edges of the leaves and black stem may mean watering issues.
• Pink stem indicates root rot due to overwatering. 
• Yellow leaves indicate insufficient sunlight.
• Brown spots on the leaves are a sign of potassium deficiency.

The Areca plant helps to purify the indoor air and also removes the toxic elements from the air. This palm is very easy or low maintenance as a houseplant. This plant needs to be re-pot every 2 to 3 years. Adding this tropical plant into your decoration can catch your guest's eyes instantly, for its esthetically pleasing looks and tropical energy.