Areca Palm - How to Grow and Propagate this Indoor Plant

Is areca palm a good indoor plant?

Areca palm, a native plant of Madagascar, is very popular because of its many benefits. Also known as the golden cane palm, bamboo palm, or butterfly palm, it adds an amazing tropical touch to your house, whether indoors or outdoors. This easy-to-maintain plant makes for a grand statement as an indoor plant, as it easily blends in with any décor.

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Also read all about Jade plants benefits and how to take care of them

Does areca palm need direct sunlight?

Areca palm is a good indoor plant, because although it requires a good amount of light, it does not need direct sunlight. The height of these plants supports them as good indoor plants in the palm category. Its resemblance to the bamboo plant with yellowish green or golden stems and narrow fronds has earned the areca palm the name of ‘bamboo palm’.

How to grow areca palm?

For planting areca palm at home, take a pot and make small holes, so that the clustered roots can be accommodated and there is enough space for excess water to drain out.
Place the areca palm plant in the pot and fill it with mud, manure and water. Although it does not need direct sunlight, it requires a good amount of light for healthy growth. So, place the pot in a place where it can get sufficient light.

Source: Pinterest

While pruning the areca palm remember that you should not prune the dry fronds until they are really brown, because even they can contribute to photosynthesis.
As it is a tropical plant, it grows well in places with high humidity or normal humidity. At your home, do not keep the Areca Palm plant near the AC as it may limit their growth.

See also: Steps to set up a kitchen garden at home

How to water the areca palm plant in your house?

Being a tropical plant, like most palm plants, areca palm plants grow well in moist soil.
Areca palm cannot grow if overwatered. They tend to wither away with waterlogging.
Be mindful and water these plants only when they need it and not as a habit.

To avoid the situation of overwatering or under watering, check the dehydration level of the soil on a weekly basis. This can be done by inserting a garden stake inside the soil around 2 inches deep and check the moisture on the soil. If it is still moisty, then don’t water. If the soil looks dry then it’s a good time to water Areca palm.

How often to water Areca palm

Areca palm trees do not need much water. Watering needs of the Areca palm depend on the size of the plant. During summers, you can water the Areca palm approximately once in ten days. During winters, you can water them once between 14 to 21 days as they grow slow during winters.

How to know if Areca palm plant has too much water?

If your Areca palm is overwatered, the plant will show all the stress signs very fast. These include drooping, wilting, yellowing, or browning. Additionally, unlike how it should be, the bark of the Areca Palm may become very soft and spongy. Another issue of overwatering is the problem of root rot. If your Areca Palm suffers root rot, then its soil will give a pungent smell. Check for these symptoms time to time and address the issue of over watering at the earliest otherwise the Areca palm plant may give up.

How to repot areca palms?

If you are planting areca palm as an indoor plant, always plant them in a pot that is slightly cluttered so that its height is maintained.
You should repot the areca palm every year so that the plant gets new soil and the salt deposits in the pot are removed.
If the plant is suffocated for space, plant it in a bigger pot.

See also: Best flower plants for home garden

Leaf tip burn of areca palm

This is a common problem with areca palm, where the tip of the areca palm leaves turn brown or yellow, similar to a burning effect on the leaves. This can be caused by:

Insufficient watering of the areca palm.
Over watering of the areca palm
Poor soil.
Infected plant.
Cluttered roots that hinder the growth of the plant.

The problem can be solved by pruning the leaves, repotting, changing the soil and adding a good amount of fertiliser.

Source: Pinterest

Areca palm benefits

What is areca palm good for?

The areca palm plant is known to increase oxygen levels by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing more oxygen.
Areca palm absorbs toxic substances in the air, like VOCs and pollutants and purifies the air we breathe.
Areca palm is pet-friendly and is a safe bet for homes with pets.
Areca palm is known to reduce stress levels and uplift mood.
They act as a very good humidifier in the house.

See also: Evergreen trees for home garden

Areca palm’s importance according to Vastu and Feng Shui

The areca palm is believed to bring health, wealth and prosperity to a home.
As per Vastu and Feng Shui, areca palm can be placed in the east, southeast, south or north to bring positivity to the house.

See also: Vastu plants for home

FAQs

What are the other names of Areca Palm?

Areca Palm is also known as the golden cane palm, bamboo palm or the butterfly palm.

Are Areca Palm pet-friendly?

Areca Palm is pet-friendly and is a safe bet for homes with pets.

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Anuradha Ramamirtham

With 16+ years of experience in various sectors, of which more than ten years in real estate, Anuradha Ramamirtham excels in tracking property trends and simplifying housing-related topics such as Rera, housing lottery, etc. Her diverse background includes roles at Times Property, Tech Target India, Indiantelevision.com and ITNation. Anuradha holds a PG Diploma degree in Journalism from KC College and has done BSc (IT) from SIES. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and travelling.
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