In the wild, the Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) grows up to ten meters high. Of course, it doesn't reach this height in the apartment, even if the care is optimal. Their homeland is in Madagascar, so you have to simulate dry and rainy seasons when caring for them. How to properly care for an Areca palm.
How do I properly care for an Areca palm?
Proper care of an Areca palm includes regular watering without waterlogging, fertilizing with palm fertilizer every 14 days during the growth phase, repotting every two to three years and overwintering at at least 16 degrees. In addition, the humidity should be increased by spraying with rainwater.
How should you properly water an Areca palm?
The ball of an Areca palm must never dry out completely. However, the plant cannot tolerate waterlogging at all.
At temperatures above 18 degrees, water the Areca palm more frequently and thoroughly. If the temperatures are lower, the plant only gets a little water.
You should also regularly spray the Areca palm with rainwater to increase the humidity.
When and how are Areca palms fertilized?
So that the Areca palm achieves annual growth of up to 25 centimeters and the fronds remain he althy, you should fertilize it every 14 days with a special palm fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon).
Fertilization is only carried out during the growth phase from April to September. In winter you are generally not allowed to fertilize palm trees.
When is repotting the Areca palm necessary?
You should repot an Areca palm every two to three years. The best time for this is early spring. Choose a slightly larger pot and place it in fresh planting substrate.
Be careful not to damage the taproot of the Areca palm when transplanting.
What diseases can occur?
- Black sooty mold
- Root rot
- Phoenix Smut
Most diseases are caused by improper care of the Areca palm. You can usually recognize them by the fact that the leaves turn brown or entire branches die.
If you suspect root rot, pot the palm tree and place it in fresh substrate - provided that there are still he althy roots.
What pests affect the Areca palm?
Occasional pests include spider mites and thrips. Both pests should be de alt with immediately as they can cause real damage to the Areca palm.
Spider mites leave residue on the plant, which can lead to sooty mold, and should therefore definitely be eliminated.
How is the Areca palm properly overwintered?
Like all palm trees, the Areca palm does not tolerate frost temperatures. It is grown indoors all year round. You are also welcome to take them outside in the summer if you can find a bright, not too sunny location.
The Areca palm likes it if you keep it a little cooler in winter. However, the temperatures must not be lower than 16 degrees.
In winter, the Areca palm is watered more sparingly and no longer fertilized.
Tip
A mixture of compost and potting soil is suitable as a substrate. If you buy palm soil from a specialist store, make sure that the pH value is 6. So the soil should be slightly acidic.
