Areca catechu, the Betel Nut Palm, is the true betel palm of tropical Asia, a slender, single stemmed feather palm grown for its elegant arching fronds. As a young plant it makes a striking, upright tropical accent for a warm, bright room.

Origins

Native across tropical Asia and the western Pacific, Areca catechu has been cultivated for centuries for its seed, the areca or betel nut. It is a genuine palm in the family Arecaceae and brings an instant jungle feel indoors. It sits happily among our warmth loving houseplants and, as a lover of moist air, our humidity loving houseplants.

Light, water and humidity

Give it bright, indirect light and warmth. Let the top few centimetres of compost dry before watering thoroughly, and never let it stand in water. It prefers humid air, so mist it or group it with other plants, and expect the odd brown tip in a dry, centrally heated room. A free draining tropical mix from our houseplant substrates keeps its roots healthy.

A note on toxicity

This is the true betel nut palm, and its seed contains arecoline, so the plant is toxic if eaten. Do not confuse it with the common, pet safe Areca palm sold as Dypsis lutescens, which is a different species. Keep Areca catechu out of reach of pets and children, and treat it as a decorative plant only rather than anything to be tasted.