How to Propagate Areca Palm | 3 Ways of Dypsis lutescens Propagation
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Botanical name: Dypsis lutescens
Synonym: Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Family: Arecaceae
Common names: Areca Palm, Butterfly Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Yellow palm
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) also called Butterfly Palm or Golden Cane Palm can easily be easily propagated by plant division or from offshoots. Although seeds can be germinated the process can take long.
Golden Cane Palm bears smooth yellowish bamboo-like canes and long, feathery fronds which droop downwards gracefully lending an air of elegance and sophistication in any space.
The stems in Areca Palm grow in clusters or thick clumps which can be divided to propagate new plants.
The Golden Cane Palm grows slowly and may take a few years to reach the average height of 6-10 ft while the fronds can reach 3 ft or more.
Dypsis lutescens has its origins in Madagascar and has been naturalized in many parts of the world like the Andaman Islands, El Salvador, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Canary Islands, southern Florida, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands and the Leeward Antilles.
How to propagate Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) propagation can be done in 3 ways; from seeds, from offshoots or from splits (plant division).
1. How to propagate Areca Palm from seeds
Areca Palm seed propagation; Seed germination is difficult and may take up to 4-6 months. It also requires that the soil be kept moist through out the period.
Fill the rooting container with loose, free-draining potting mix and slightly moisten the soil.
Sow the seeds in the moist soil and cover the seeds slightly with soil. Do not bury them too deep to hasten germination.
Cover the set up with polythene cover to create a greenhouse effect and place in a shaded, warm place at about 300C. Warmth and humidity are important for germination.
Keep the soil moist through out the period until germination of the seeds takes place. Germination may take upto 4-6 weeks.
Lower the temperature slightly after germination and maintain the soil moist until the new palms are well established after which you can begin routine care.
The seedlings may take 2-4 months to reach the height of 3-4 ft.
2. How to propagate Areca Palm from offshoots
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) propagation from offshoots;
Water the Areca Palm thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to seperate the offshoot and also hasten its establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
With a sharp sterilized knife or scissors, carefully seperate the Areca Palm offshoot from the mother plant.
Ensure the offshoot has adequate roots before seperating it from the mother.
Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot.
Make sure that the hole is slightly wider than the base of the Areca Palm offshoot.
Place the offshoot in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the offshoot at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until the new palm is well established after which you can begin routine care.
3. How to propagate Areca Palm from splits (plant division)
Areca Palm propagation from splits (plant division);
Water the Areca Palm thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the palm out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by cutting through the rhizome with a sharp clean knife.
Carefully pull apart the roots. Ensure each section has at least 3-4 stems and adequate roots to hasten establishment.
Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot.
Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the Areca Palm section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
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