Chrysalidocarpus–commonly called Areca palm–is a graceful, feathery palm with clumps of slender, reedlike canes and arching, shiny, lance-shaped yellowish-green fronds.
Chrysalidocarpus is a genus of about 20 species of single- or cluster-stemmed palms. Only one is grown as a houseplant, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens.
Chrysalidocarpus prefers full sun but will grow in shade. Indoors grow Chrysalidocarpus in bright light. Chrysalidocarpus is a bit temperamental and can take some time to acclimatize to indoor growing.
Get to Know Chrysalidocarpus
- Plant type: Palm
- Growing zones and range: Zones 14 and 15
- Hardiness: Tender
- Optimal growing temperature: day, 70° to 80°F (21° to 27°C), night 58° to 65°F (14° to 18°C).
- Height and width: 5 feet (1.5 m) in height indoors; outdoors in tropical regions, 28 feet (9m) takk and 20 feet (6m) wide.
- Foliage: Graceful feathery palm with clumps of slender, reedlike canes that bear arching, shiny, strap-shaped green fronds.
- Flowers: Small 3-petal flowers are borne on panicles
- Bloom time: Summer
- Uses: Houseplant, grow as a specimen tree in tropical regions
- Common name: Areca plam, cane palm, yellow palm
- Botanical name: Chrysalidocarpus
- Family name: Arecaceae
- Origin: Madagascar
Where to Plant Chrysalidocarpus
- Light indoors: Bright light, no direct sun, from eastern or western exposure. Give areca palm bright light.
- Light outdoors: Sun or partial shade
- Soil indoors: All-purpose mix, with good drainage. Use an all-purpose soil mix for repotting.
- Soil outdoors: Humus-rich, well-drained soil.
When to Plant Chrysalidocarpus
- Set Chrysalidocarpus outdoors any time of the year in tropical and subtropical regions.
Planting and Spacing Chrysalidocarpus
- Space Chrysalidocarpus 20 feet (6m) apart outdoors.
How to Water and Feed Chrysalidocarpus
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy. Mist daily, twice in warm weather. Humidity, 45% to 60%.
- Feeding: Every 2 weeks during growing season, with mild liquid fertilizer. Fertilize regularly during spring and summer.
Chrysalidocarpus Care
- Chrysalidocarpus rests during winter. Keep soil barely moist; withhold fertilizer.
Growing Chrysalidocarpus as a Houseplant
- Give Chrysalidocarpus bright light, warm room temperature, and medium humidity.
- Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy; wet, cold soil can cause leaves to turn yellow.
- Fertilize regularly during spring and summer.
Chrysalidocarpus Pests and Diseases
- Check for mealybugs, spider mites, scale. Avoid drafts. Areca palm is subject to damage by aphids, whiteflies and salt buildup.
- Areca palm is subject to damage by aphids, whiteflies and salt buildup.
Chrysalidocarpus Propagation
- Propagate from offsets. Area palm grows slowly, about 6 inches a year, and needs repotting only when it outgrows its pot. It can become pot bound without adverse effects. Use an all-purpose soil mix for repotting. By division or seeds.
Chrysalidocarpus Varieties to Grow
- Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, areca palm, yellow palm: Only species of palm in this genus grown indoors.grows to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall with light green, arching fronds to 4 feet in length; fronds are yellow-green; only species grown as a houseplant .
