Areca Palm, Golden Feather Palm Indoors (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Features

Rows of slender leaves form the fronds of this airy palm, which is native to Madagascar. Perfect for bringing a feel of trees and tropics to any room without overwhelming it. Multiple stems give this palm a broad habitsuited to softly filling empty corners or providing a lush backdrop to a mix of other houseplants.

Uses

The soft, movable texture makes Areca palm a good choice for high traffic areas. Great for adding a relaxed feel to interiors or an airy screen on patios and decks during warm weather.

Plant Feed

Apply mild liquid fertilizer monthly.

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist during active growth. Can allow plant to dry between thorough waterings in the winter.

Soil

All-purpose commercial potting mix.

Basic Care Summary

Protect from frost. Rotate periodically to promote uniform growth. Prune to shape or contain growth.

Planting Instructions

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.

Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.

Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.

Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Watering Instructions

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Fertilizing Instructions

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.

Pruning Instructions

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.