Areca Palms

Plants that Detoxify the Air

The Areca Palm is one of the most popular and graceful palms. It is tolerant of the indoor environment, releases copious amounts of moisture into the air. Additionally, the areca is consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor air toxins tested.

The Areca Palm is a tree or shrub-like plant with graceful, long feather-shaped fronds.

Planting / Care:

• Light: Palm trees will not do well in dimly lit corners. Without adequate light your plant will lose all its lower fronds. This plant is best kept in semi-sun.

• Watering: Keep palms relatively moist. In spring and summer, or when temperatures are warm and days are longer, water them as soon as their soil feels dry a little below the surface. Allow the soil to get slightly drier in winter. It's important that potting soil drains well and containers you use have functioning drain holes. Water palms thoroughly, then spill or siphon off excess water that collects in the tray or saucer below the pot. The Areca Palm is fussier about over-watering and more prone to root rot than others.

• Fertilize lightly from late winter through early autumn, the time when houseplants are likely to grow most actively. A build-up of fertilizer salts in the soil results in those dreaded brown tips and edges, especially if you allow the soil to get too dry between waterings. If you're unsure about fertilizing, err on the side of too little rather than too much. You can always fertilize again, if necessary. Medium green foliage has a tendency to yellow when heavily fertilized.

• Keep palm fronds clean. Spider mites are attracted to dusty foliage and can balloon into a serious problem, particularly in winter when relative humidity is low indoors.

• Temperature: They do best in reasonably warm temperatures. Keep them away from leaky windows and cold entryways where they'd be exposed to blasts of frigid air.

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