The Areca Palm is a dynamic plant that looks fabulous in the home. It features tall stems which grow upward and arch out into bright fronds. It is sometimes known as the Golden Feather Palm or Butterfly Palm on account of the shape of its leaves. This plant is easy to care for and brings lots of benefits, including purified air and the relief of dry skin.
Because the Areca Palm transpires a lot, it humidifies its environment and has a positive effect on skin, especially during the colder months when we rely on central heating, which can dry out our skin. NASA's cleaner air studies have also identified it as a great plant for removing pollutants and toxins from the air.
Known in Latin as the Dypsis lutescens, this plant is native to the Madagascan tropics and is sometimes classed as an endangered species due to the loss of its natural habitat. If nurtured well, an Areca Palm can grow several inches per year and reach a height of 7 feet tall! The plant does best in bright rooms out of direct sunlight, as intense sun can damage its delicate fronds. Regular misting will keep your Areca Palm healthy, and being kept on a shallow tray of water is a great way of supporting your plant's transpiration. The Dypsis lutescens grows plenty of leaves on narrow stems, so don't be afraid to remove any dying stems to stimulate the palm's growth.
