Areca catechu
Description
Areca catechu, commonly known as the Betel Nut Palm or Areca Palm, is a tall, slender palm known for its smooth, ringed trunk and feathery, arching fronds. This palm is widely cultivated for its ornamental value and the betel nut, which is commonly chewed in many cultures.
Flowers
The Betel Nut Palm produces small, white to cream-colored flowers that grow in large, branched inflorescences below the crownshaft. The flowers are followed by clusters of bright orange to red fruits.
Foliage
The leaves are pinnate and gracefully arching, with numerous narrow, pointed leaflets arranged along the length of the frond. Each frond can reach up to 2-3 meters in length, creating a lush, tropical canopy. The leaflets are bright green, providing a vibrant and attractive foliage display.
Fruit
The fruit of Areca catechu is a small, oval drupe that turns from green to bright orange or red as it matures. The fruit contains the betel nut, which is chewed for its stimulant properties in many cultures.
Form and Size
The Betel Nut Palm typically grows to a height of 10-20 meters with a spread of 3-5 meters. It has a slender, smooth, grey trunk marked by prominent ringed leaf scars and is topped with a crown of 8-12 arching fronds.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a range of soil types but thrives in moist, loamy conditions.
- Sunlight: Grows best in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate full sun exposure once established.
- Water: Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. It prefers consistently moist soil.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is frost-sensitive and should be protected from cold temperatures and strong winds.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for tropical and subtropical landscapes, used as a specimen tree, in group plantings, or along driveways and pathways. It is also suitable for coastal gardens.
- Ornamental: The tall, slender trunk and arching fronds provide a majestic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Cultural: The betel nut is harvested and chewed for its stimulant properties in many cultures.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged fronds to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Betel Nut Palm is a versatile and elegant palm that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its cultural significance and striking appearance make it a valuable addition to tropical and subtropical gardens.
Companion Plants
- Heliconia spp. (Heliconia)
- Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
- Codiaeum variegatum (Croton)
- Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise
Common Name
Betel Nut Palm, Areca Palm
Botanical Name
Areca catechu
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
