Last Updated on May 29, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Aren’t Areca Palms just absolutely gorgeous? Their beautiful green leaves add a touch of lusciousness to any space, and they’re oh-so pretty to look at. But have you ever wondered exactly how fast do Areca Palms grow? So have we, which is exactly why we’ve done the research for you!
The Growth Rate of Areca Palms
Areca palms are relatively fast-growing plants already, but sometimes their growth can slow down due to several reasons. The most common reason is a lack of nutrients. Areca palms, like many other house plants, benefit from an application of liquid fertilizer every few weeks in spring and summer and perhaps every month or so in the fall and winter.
Decrease of growth is also associated with the fact that areca palms are susceptible to many leaf diseases in particular squash vine diseases and sooty mold. Moreover, an increase in temperature and a drastic change of the light regime are common reasons for a decrease in palm growth.
On top of that, palms are also sensitive to excess salts that may accumulate in the soil and inhibit growth. So, it’s important to flush the pots of palms once in a while to prevent this problem.
What you need to know for the first time Palm growers?
When seeding a palm seed for the first time, it’s important to begin with only one bulb and watch the plant’s growth very carefully. If the plant isn’t growing quickly enough, you may want to try a different pot size or add another bulb. You may also want to try a different potting medium. Many palms thrive on a combination of potting soil and sand and they dislike potting soil that’s too fertile. In general, the more water palms receive the more fertilizer they need.
After receiving seventy-five to one hundred gallons of water a month, the fertilizer application can be reduced. If you have a bag of fertilizer mix, then you can apply a quarter to a half a pound to each palm. If you’re using a stronger fertilizer, you’ll need to use less. But if you’re using a weaker one, you’ll need to use more. It’s important to read the directions on the package very carefully to avoid over-fertilizing. For example, some packages specify that the fertilizer should only be used on one side of the palm. If you use too much fertilizer, you’ll need to water more to flush it out, and you’ll need to wait longer for the fertilizer to take effect.
How Fast Do Areca Palms Grow Outdoors?
Areca palms are some of the fastest-growing palms you can grow, but the rate at which they grow depends on several factors, like the temperature, the amount of water that’s used, the climate, the species of the areca palm, and the kind of soil it’s growing in.
In ideal conditions, an areca palm can grow between three and six feet each year. They can also grow much faster, however. Some areca palms have been known to grow quickly enough to turn around a compost pile in a matter of months. The tallest areca palm in the world is actually from Puerto Rico and is over 150 feet high, how amazing! The tallest palm in the United States is in Florida and is over 156 feet high. But the biggest and the tallest do not always have the fastest rate of growth. So if you just want a big palm, it’s a better idea to look for a faster-growing variety that will get to the height you want in a shorter amount of time. When this one is grown in the garden typically only 10 to 25 feet.
The fastest-growing areca palm is the Australian areca palm, called Cyrtosperma polyneuron. Young specimens have been clocked for growth at almost two feet a season! Not everywhere, of course, but with the right sun, water, and soil, areca palms can be a part of some fast-growing tropical landscapes. If you want to grow areca palms for their soft, spiky leaves and their interesting-looking flowers, don’t miss your chance to get it before it’s gone.
The History of Areca Palms
Historically, areca palms were grown more as ornamental plants than for their starchy root. However, in recent years, the area around Java and Malaysia has seen an increase in areca palm plantations.
This areca palm is usually used for ornamental purposes and rarely for its starch-rich underground stems.
The name of the areca palm is derived from “arica”, the fruit where starch is found. This provides a good way to tell the male from the female areca palms. The fruit of the areca palm is a red drupe that develops at the base of the trunk. It is initially green and oval but then turns red as it matures. Females will have a small fruit at the base of the plant and males will have much larger fruit.
The areca palm has been used in Hindu worship for centuries and produces areca nuts (also known as betel nuts). The areca palm can also be found in areas of the Middle East and Sumatra.
This palm is usually large, reaching heights of six to ten feet. However, some dwarf varieties are only a few feet tall. Males can grow up to fifteen feet high and females up to twelve feet. They can grow up to ten feet wide but sometimes grow much wider. The areca palm can live for over fifty years if cared for properly. The trunk of the areca palm is usually green and can have rotted at the base, and the Areca palm can be propagated through seed, cutting, or layering.
How to plant?
In the plantations, areca palms are grown in rows. Each row is separated from another by two feet.
Before areca palms are planted, the land on which the palms are to be planted is burned. This step improves the nutrients in the soil, eliminating much of the competition for the areca palms. The adult areca palms are planted 12 feet apart to minimize competition for resources but rows are planted 40 feet apart to maximize productivity.
The palms are planted in holes that are ten inches across and eighteen inches deep and then watered when the hole dries out.
After the palms are planted, they are pruned with little regard to what is above ground. The stumps are then covered in a mixture of soil and Sun-disc fertilizer pellets.
This process of planting is repeated until approximately 250,000 plants occupy an area of one square kilometer, or roughly one acre.
These plantations yield approximately 36 tons of processed areca nuts for export every year.
Where to Grow?
The areca palm can be grown in tropical climates where there is abundant sunlight.
Areca palms like to be sheltered from the hot afternoon sun and should be placed in part shade. They should be planted in rich loamy soil and should be watered often and deeply. Fertilizer should be placed around the plant while the plant is still young. This palm likes to be protected from the cold and can be grown indoors if necessary. The areca palms should be trimmed regularly around the edges.
Plantations of areca palms are usually located near rivers and lakes for easy transportation of areca nuts to town. These plantations are also located near a source of water and sometimes fruit is picked to be eaten. There is controversy surrounding the harvesting of areca palm fruits because it is highly polluting and water-intensive. The tree can also be corrupted easily because of its large fruit. But since most areca palm plantations are located near large bodies of water, they can replenish their rivers or lakes with water.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, we absolutely adore the gorgeous areca palm, which is why we went above and beyond to tell you all about this interesting plant, not only including its growth rate, but also its history, a few interesting facts and how to ensure that your areca palm will flourish. Bye for now, we’re off to check on our own palm beauty!
