Help Identifying a House Plant!
Hello Judy! I hope you’re doing well! Attached are pictures of a house plant that was gifted to me and I am in need of identifying it. Do you know the Scientific and Common Name? I would like to know the name so I can research how to best take care of it! Thank you so much. Have a great day!
ZD
Hi Zachary,
Your plant looks like a beautiful Areca (Butterfly) Palm. Here are some care tips on how to grow an Areca Palm. You can read more about the plant in the Popular HousePlant section of the website.
Light: Areca Palms require
bright indirect light. Too much light or direct sun burns the fronds and causes them to turn yellow.
Water: Allow the top 1-2” of soil to dry out before watering an Areca Palm. Never allow an Areca to sit in water as this causes root rot. The fronds of an Areca wilt when they need water but quickly perk up once the soil is drenched. Like all palms, Arecas do not like chemicals or salt so avoid water that has passed through a softener or contains fluoride or chlorine. Both chemicals and salt cause freckle-like spots on the leaves.
Fertilizer: Feed an Areca Palm monthly when it is actively growing with a balanced liquid
fertilizer at 1/2 the recommended strength. Too much salty
fertilizer spots the leaves.
Temperature: Areca Palms prefer temperatures between 65-75 degrees during the day and around 55 degrees at night. This plant is very sensitive to low temperatures so if you place it outside during the summer be sure to bring it in before temperatures dip below 50 degrees.
Humidity: High humidity is essential in keeping an Areca Palm looking good.
