Heidi shows you her Areca palms that have been growing in her yard for over seventeen years. She will give you tips and insight on where to plant, what to watch out for, how to manage, and if this plant is one that you may want to incorporate into your yard. She will tell you a story about how this plant sent her to the ER and how to best take care of this plant.
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Plants on Purpose Specification Sheet for Areca Palm

Origin: Madagascar
Scientific Name: Dypsis lutescens (formerly Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Plant Family: Arecaceae (pronounced “ERA-kay-cee-ay”) Over 2500 species.
Class: Monocots (same plant class as grass)
Unusual History: Palm fronds symbolize Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, still used in the celebration of Palm Sunday. Archaeologists have founds fronds and used them as household objects back in ancient Mesopotamian sites. The worlds largest Palm is called the Quidio Wax Palm (Colombia's National tree). It can grow to 200 feet tall. These are found in the forests of the Andes.
How it arrived in America: Franciscan missionaries are credited with bringing and planting palm trees in Southern California. Some historians believe that the 1932 World Olympics in Los Angeles included a beautification project that planted over palm 40,000 trees, still alive and making the city famous for palm trees.
Purpose:
Food: No
Forage: Yes
Medicinal: No
Structural: Yes Fronds/trunks used to make products
Ornamental: Yes, great for the natural screen/privacy fence
Soil Fixer: No, however, leaves great for compost building soil
Pollinator: No, when the flower is blooming it does attract bees
Toxicity: Non-Toxic to cats and dogs
Indoor Air Purifier: Yes
Plant Zone Hardy: Outdoor Zone 10-11
Indoor Special Instructions:
Indoor temp range 60-75 degrees F. Avoid sudden drops in temp, gets to 6-10 feet in height. The soil in the pot needs to be planted in well-draining potting soil and container with drainage holes and best with a large drain plate with rocks to allow for extra humidity. When waterIng, always allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. It is best to water from the bottom. Water less often in winter months. Arecas need bright indirect light from South or West facing window. Repot every few years, repot during the spring in a pot 2-4 inches wider than the current pot. Don't mess with roots too much during transplant.
Pro Tip: For faster growth feed with diluted water-soluble fertilizer monthly only during the growing season. The indoor growing season is April-September.
Foliar Spray can be used on the leaves especially during indoor heating months.
Plant Life Growth Rate: Moderate to slow growth, 2 feet per year outside.
Evergreen: Yes
Planting Instructions for Outdoor: This makes an excellent live privacy fence/hedge, also great for windbreaks.
Soil is versatile: Can grow in clay, loamy or sandy soil with an acidic to alkaline pH.
Water: Moderate
Light: Full sun to part-shade (Young palms do best in part-shade)
Plant Spacing: 4-5 feet ( for hedge) I would recommend at least 7' to 10' off a house. 5'-7' off the driveway.
Mature Width: Base 8-10 feet
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Soil type: Prefer sandy, plant with some organic peat moss or topsoil to the hole.
Mulch: Yes (do not allow grass to grow directly up to this plant)
Fertilization Needs: Apply only in growing season April-September with a 12-4-12-4 (N-P-K-MG) fertilizer. (Indoor)
Outdoor frequency: Early Spring is best, April-May in SWFL
*** Make sure you follow your local fertilization restriction ordinance. LEE County has NO FERTILIZATION restriction dates for June 1- Sept 30, 2020, of N and P. Also restricted during all Tropical Storms, Watches, and Hurricanes.
Propagation Seed: Yes
Plant Maintenance
Tools: Pruning Shear, Hand Lopper, Pole Saw, Eye Protection, Gloves
Maintainance Low-High: High
Difficulty: Increases with the height of trees
Time: Weekly, needier
Debris Removal: Weekly, heavy
Best Time to Hard Trim: Winter or dry season prior to the growing season.
Safety Tip: Wear eye protection, trim at fronds at the base of the trunk.
Pest Disease Control: Stressed Plants, Hurricanes, Frond, and Trunk Damage
Main Disease Problem: Susceptible to Ganoderma Butt Rot
Species: Fungus Ganoderma Zonatum
Signs: Conks form at the base of the palm, upper mature fronds die, and fall off. Slow death. No cure. Must remove and DO NOT place plant material in city recycle. Needs to be burned. The soil will hold spores, so no palm may grow in that location.
Palm Disease Identification: [ Ссылка ]
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