Size of an Outdoor Areca Palm Plant

Identification

• Native to Madagascar, Comoros and Pemba Island, the areca palm is winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. It also goes by the names butterfly palm, yellow butterfly palm, golden cane palm, cane palm, bamboo palm, golden bamboo palm and Madagascar palm. The clump-forming palm boasts large, elegant foliage as well as sturdy branches that resist breakage.

Size

• Areca palms reach heights between 12 and 35 feet, though in good conditions they usually top out at around 28 feet. Their relatively slow growth rate of about 12 inches per year is still quicker than the growth rate of their indoor counterparts. Either way, they take a while to reach their full height. Pinnately compound fronds grow to between 3 and 8 feet in length, and grow in an upward arching manner to a canopy spread of 8 to 20 feet. Stems are 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Appearance

• The areca palm has light green evergreen leaves that remain the same color year-round. The palm’s multiple canes may be green or yellow in color, and the yellow coloration increases with sun exposure. Each cane has lateral rings around it like bamboo, ranging in color from green to yellow to orange. Each pinnately compound leaf has 40 to 60 leaflets and a yellow midrib. While flowers are not showy, the fruits that follow are 1/2 inch long and initially orange, maturing to deep black.

Culture

• Outdoors, the areca palm prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil. Plant it during the rainy season to allow development of good root structure and so it can leaf out. Maintain consistent moisture. The palm will grow in a range of soil types, from sand to loam to clay, and acidic and alkaline. It will even tolerate aerosol salt spray, so it can be grown in coastal areas. If you do not like the yellowing effect of sun exposure, which is natural and doesn’t indicate a problem, you can shade the palm to keep it greener. Plant areca palms 10 feet apart to create a privacy screen.