Areca Palm Tree

The Areca Palm is a lovely tree that has gorgeous long, feathery fronds with golden stems that arch over towards the top. This variety known as “Dypsis lutescens” perform their best in USDA growing zones 4-8 on the patio (or potted) and 9-11 outdoors. In warmer climates, they’ll do better with indirect sun. In colder climates, they prefer to be in full sun. Areca palm trees are moderate growers, maturing to a height of 25-30 feet tall and 8-10 feet in width. Take into account the tree’s mature height when selecting a location to plant it. Avoid power lines or where your roof may be above the tree.

Location: Choose a location that receive a lot of sun (6+ hours daily) in colder climate, but indirect sun in warmer climate.

Planting Directions (in the ground):
1) Dig your hole 2-3 times the width and slightly shallower than the root ball.
2) Loosen the soil, in and around the hole so the roots can easily break through.
3) Use your fingers to separate the roots of your fan palm and gently position downward in the hole. The top of the root flare (where the roots end and the trunk begins) should be about an inch above the surrounding soil.
4) Hold the tree straight as you begin to backfill the site, tamping down the soil as you go.
5) When finished, apply water to settle the soil and remove any air pockets.

Planting Directions (potted):
1) Choose a container that is 1-2 times larger than the pot that the plant initially arrived in.
2) Use a quality acidic potting medium such as a palm or citrus mix.
3) Partially fill the container part way, position the palm and fill the remainder leaving a slight space from the rim of the pot.
4) Choose a location on the patio, backyard, or front/side of the house providing it will receive full to partial sun.
5) Water until it begins to flow through the bottom drainage holes, keep the soil slightly moist but not saturated.
6) If bringing indoors during the winter, keep by a sunny window and water as needed. Avoid exposure to both drafts and heat from a window or vent.

Watering (in the ground): Palm trees are drought tolerant once established, but will require frequent watering as they establish. Allowing the soil to dry out will weaken the root system of the palm tree. Only allow the soil to dry 1-2 inches down before watering again. The frequency will depend on the climate and how much rain you receiving.

Watering (potted): Stick you finger into the potting soil down to a depth of 2 inches and feel around for any moisture. If the soil is drying out, go ahead and water until you see it escaping the drainage holes and then stop. If there is still moisture present, leave it be until it dries a bit more.

Pruning: Palms do not need much pruning except to remove damaged fronds. Be careful not to pull off any dead or damaged fronds as that can leave a wound behind. Always remove any damaged fronds by pruning them off with a sharp pair of sterilized pruners.

Mulch: To help enrich the soil and reduce growth competition from weeds, apply a heavy mulch around the trunk, using wood chips, cypress bark or lawn clippings. This will also help to reduce water consumption. Avoid letting the mulch touch the trunk as this can promote rot and/or fungus.

Fertilizing: Nutrients are vital for palm trees to thrive. The sandy, well draining soils they prefer have a tendency for nutrients to leach away quickly. You can apply palm fertilizers that contain specific nutrients best suited for palms. The slow release of these nutrients will provide consistent, targeted feeding to help your tree grow strong and healthy. If you prefer, you can use a balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8 formula for quicker growth in spring and summer. To avoid yellowing and maintain a healthy shade of green coloring, feed your tree a few spoons full of Epsom salt or a fertilizer that contains nutrients like manganese which will prevent the yellowing and shriveling of the fronds.