Betel Nut Palm (Areca catechu)

The Betel Nut Palm is a very graceful palm with a narrow, deeply ringed trunk, growing 10-20m tall. Foliage is a beautiful deep dark green and flowers are fragrant and white. Flowers are followed by egg-size fruits of about 50mm long. Mature leaves fall off by themselves, making this a self-cleaning palm.

The fruit of this palm, the Betel nut or Areca nut, is most famous for its intoxicating effect and is often chewed throughout some Asian and Pacific countries. The nut is said to have antidepressant and euphoric properties, but is also considered slightly addictive. Nuts are also used for their medicinal qualities, and are said to cure many ailments.

Areca catechu is fairly fast growing, gaining ½ m/year in height in best conditions. First flowers can be borne at 4 years old, and first nuts at 7 years. Full production can be reached at 10-15 years. Areca catechu can produce up to 6 bunches of fruit per year, each bunch with between 50 and 400 fruits. Annual weight averages between 2.5 -8kg per crop.

Being native to rainforest areas, it will need moist, but well draining soil. It does not like drying out. Mulch heavily if you’re growing this palm in the ground, and provide plenty of rich organic matter. We recommend you keep this plant in a pot until it has produced 5 or more leaves. Plant at least 3m apart in the ground to allow for air circulation.

The Betel Nut Palm is best grown in a shaded position while young, but should be grown in full sun once it is out of the juvenile stage. This palm cannot handle cold and is best grown in the tropics or warm sub-tropics, or alternatively indoors in cooler areas. The Betel Nut is suitable for use as indoor plant.

Common names: Betel Nut Palm, Areca Palm, Areca Nut Palm, Pinang

Supplied as: Plants, 40-50 cms tall (not for NT due to size)

Thank you for visiting National Tropical Plants online nursery – Australia’s Betel Nut plant nursery, garden nursery & mail order nursery for garden plants & tropical plants. We’ll help you plant your own paradise!

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