Dypsis lutescens grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) in height. Multiple stems emerge from the base. The fronds are arched, 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in–9 ft 10 in) long, and pinnate, with 40-60 pairs of leaflets. It bears panicles of yellow flowers in summer. Offsets can be cut off when mature enough, as a propagation method.
The Areca Palm or Butterfly Palm is a relatively easy care indoor houseplant that has much going for it. Its attractive nature has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, which for a plant grown more commonly indoors than out, is a pretty rare feat.
It goes by many names – Areca lutescens, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Dypsis lutescens, Butterfly Palm (because the fronds resemble butterflies), Yellow Palm, Golden Cane (because the lower canes have a gold / yellow colour) and of course Areca Palm.
The Areca Palm’s popularity as an office and houseplant increased (and is maintained today) in part because of the air cleaning experiments carried out by NASA and Dr Wolverton in the 1980’s.
50 plants were tested for their ability to filter the air around us, ease of care and ability to add moisture to the surrounding atmosphere. The Areca Palm took first place scoring highly in all categories.