Areca Palm or Butterfly Palm

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Native to: Madagascar Growth habit: An upright plant that is some what vase shaped. Specimen plants can reach 10 to 12 foot in height. Flowers: No Temps: Normal indoor temps Humidity: Prefers a humid area to avoid tip damage. Pests: Watch for spider mites. The "Butterfly Palm" is a favorite of the beginning plant enthusiast. They are inexpensive and readily available. When shopping for an Areca palm look for plants with larger caliber trunks. Plants that have pencil thin stems tend to topple over and are very difficult to maintain. 

Keep your Areca in bright indirect light. In a dry climate they can't tolerate direct sun. Keep their soil moist but not soggy. Do not allow them to sit in a saucer of water as root rot will quickly develop.

Feed bi-monthly with Plant Food. You can find Areca palms in nearly any size container and height range. Propagation is by seed or dividing the plant. Ours was a birthday gift for Bernice.