Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
Areca palm (golden cane palm) (Dypsis lutescens) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Eastern Madagascar. It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Areca palm (golden cane palm) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Areca palm (golden cane palm) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Madagascar |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Is Areca palm (golden cane palm) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as golden palm).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Areca palm (golden cane palm)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Areca palm (golden cane palm) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Areca palm (golden cane palm)
- How far apart should I plant Areca palm (golden cane palm)?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft).
- Does Areca palm (golden cane palm) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Areca palm (golden cane palm) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Areca palm (golden cane palm)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Areca palm (golden cane palm) flower?
- From about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Areca palm (golden cane palm) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as golden palm).
- What grows well with Areca palm (golden cane palm)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Areca palm (golden cane palm). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only in frost-free climates; in temperate gardens grow it under heated glass (as in the Kew Palm House).
- Clumping palm with yellow cane-like stems; endangered in the wild (Madagascar).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons
- Clustering fishtail palm Caryota mitis