So widely planted throughout southern Asia and into the islands of the Pacific that its origin is unknown, it is a handsome tree, reaching to 25 metres or more
“Bloody Mary’s chewing betel nut,” sang sailors in the musical South Pacific, adding, “now ain’t that too damn bad.” Fortunately the cancer-causing source of the now notorious betel nut, commonly called Areca palm, A. catechu, from the Malaysian adekka, is but a distant cousin from the similarly named commercial indoor plant of northern climes.
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, confusingly also known as Dypsis lutescens, originated from Madagascar. Equally confusingly, it may be called bamboo palm, butterfly palm, golden cane palm, yellow palm or even – surprise, surprise – areca palm.
Probably this is the commonest palm to be seen offered for sale, often at bargain prices, almost always as an ‘areca palm.’ And if the approximately 2,500 known species of palm family, C. lutescens is one of the easiest to maintain providing a few basic rules are followed.
Few palms tolerate low light and areca isn’t one of them. Grow in a bright location, preferably close to a south- or west-facing window. Repot into a 12-inch clay pot from the plastic grow container it was raised in at the nursery. Areca palms can grow tall and even when a modest metre or so, the nursery pot doesn’t offer much stability. Neither does that container exactly fit into most decors. Clay pots also allow for maintaining better soil moisture levels. Palms dislike soaking wet roots or, at the other end of the scale, bone dry conditions. Just moist is the sine qua non. Allow the top of the soil to dry out for a week or so before watering but no soupçon here: thoroughly moisten the root ball.
Perhaps the most off-putting problem with virtually every species of palm is their susceptibility to spider mite. In the early stages of attack the foliage takes on a dusty appearance. As the infestation advances, masses of fine webs appear in the axils. Most of the miticides resorted to by commercial growers are unavailable to householders. Insecticidal soap, neem oil, possibly pyrethrum extract may offer some protection. The best answer, however, is to repel the pests. Spider mites hate water. In summer move the palm to deck, patio or drive and sluice the fronds with tepid water weekly. In winter, the shower may be similarly utilized.
Your reward will not only be a highly decorative plant but a pollution-stabilizing one as well. C. lutescens is high on NASA’s famed list of indoor plants that reduce interior pollution.
So what’s with cousin Areca catechu? Particularly in Southeast Asia, sidewalks are stained red with spittle from the mildly narcotic betel nut juice. So widely planted throughout southern Asia and into the islands of the Pacific that its origin is unknown, it is a handsome tree, reaching to 25 metres or more. Like tobacco, the use of the nut is addictive. It also causes cancer as well as contributing to coronary disease, diabetes, asthma and cirrhosis – something James Michener was apparently unaware of when he wrote his classic Tales of the South Pacific.
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
