Dypsis lutescens
Yellow palm, Areca palm, Butterfly palm, Cane palm, Golden yellow palm, Bamboo palm
Also known as Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Areca lutescens
- Height × spread
- 6m × 1.8m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Seen in tropical climes this makes a specimen up to 12 metres in height. The many slender golden canes carry huge arching fronds that can be 3 metres in length, and can also produce large panicles of yellow flowers. It may be used to line pathways achieving a naturally elegant effect. It also has a happy life as a domestic palm when grown in a pot in a house, the growth habit is the same, but on a much smaller scale. Indoors it can be used in warm entranceways, where it can reach a couple of metres in height, or kept on windowsill. The plant will produce offsets. Stems that become too large can be removed. Fronds that turn yellow can also be removed. These palms require bright indirect light and should not be placed in draughty places. They should be watered when nearly dry and given a little less water in winter. A general purpose liquid feed should be given monthly in spring and summer. These palms are not frost-hardy and need a minimum temperature of 10C (50F).
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Gold
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 6m
- Spread
- 1.8m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep soil moist
Water regularly, but do not leave the plant sodden or with water in a saucer at its feet. It likes to be dry during the winter months.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.