With soft, arching fronds that fan out like feathers, the Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) brings instant tropical calm to a room. Also known as the Butterfly Palm or Golden Cane Palm, it grows in lush clumps from slender, bamboo-like golden stems, giving a light, airy look that suits a bright living room, hallway or home office. Native to Madagascar, it is one of the most loved indoor palms, both easy-going and quietly glamorous.

It makes a graceful floor plant in a bright spot, adding height and a relaxed, resort-like feel. A rewarding, air-freshening palm that asks for little beyond good light and steady moisture.

Care at a glance

Light: Bright, indirect light near an east or west-facing window. A south-facing spot works with a sheer curtain. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which scorches the fronds.

Water: Water thoroughly once the top couple of centimetres of soil feel dry, letting it drain fully. Never leave it sitting in water. Water more in spring and summer, less in winter.

Humidity: Prefers moderate to higher humidity. Mist or stand on a pebble tray in drier rooms to keep the fronds looking their best.

Temperature: Happiest in a warm room above 16°C, away from cold draughts.

Pet note: Considered non-toxic, so a good choice for homes with pets and children.

Supplied in a 14cm nursery pot. As a living plant, size and form vary from one to the next, so yours will be one of a kind.