Is Areca Palm a Woody Plant? A Closer Look

Other Names for Areca Palm

Areca bamboo, yellow coconut, purple palm.

Habits of the Areca Palm

The Areca Palm is a tropical plant that likes warm, humid, semi-shaded environments. Its cold tolerance is rather poor, and the leaves turn yellow when the temperature drops below 20°C. In winter it can overwinter safely when the temperature stays above 10°C, and it will freeze to death at 5°C.

Areca Palm seedlings grow slowly, and after they develop into young plants they grow rapidly. It prefers loose, well-drained, fertile soil. Its branches and leaves are dense, it stays evergreen all year round, and it has strong shade tolerance.

For Areca Palms grown outdoors in northern China, they are generally brought indoors from late September to early October and must be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight. During the overwintering period the room temperature should be 23-25°C during the day and maintained at 15°C at night, and must stay above 8°C at the very least, otherwise the plant will suffer cold damage and die in winter or spring; during the overwintering period, also be careful to regularly wipe the leaf surfaces or spray a small amount of water on them to keep the leaves clean.

Symbolism of the Areca Palm

Gentleness and grace.

Uses of the Areca Palm

Medicinal:Harvest fresh Areca Palm, remove the leaves, dry them in the sun and then decoct them for oral use; it has the effect of astringing and stopping bleeding.

Landscaping:The Areca Palm is mostly planted as an ornamental tree on lawns, in tree shade and beside houses. In northern regions it is mostly used as a potted plant, and it is a high-grade potted foliage plant for decorating living rooms, dining rooms, meeting rooms, studies and so on.