Areca Palm
The areca palm is the go-to for a big, soft, tropical statement in a bright room — arching feathery fronds on bamboo-like canes that fill a corner without the menace of anything spiky. It is completely pet-safe, which is a large part of why it beats out fussier or toxic palms for family homes.
It is thirstier and more humidity-hungry than the easygoing parlor palm: keep the soil lightly moist, never bone dry and never soggy, and give it the brightest indirect light you can. Brown, crispy frond tips are the usual complaint and almost always mean dry air, salts in the water, or fluoride — raise the humidity and switch to filtered or rainwater. Watch the frond undersides for spider mites, its main pest.
Bright indirect light keeps the fronds full and green; a little morning sun is fine. Deep shade thins it out, and harsh direct sun scorches the leaflets.
Water when the top inch dries and drain well — it likes even moisture but rots if left standing in water
Low — keep to a consistent rhythm and don't let it dry out hard.
Non-toxic and safe around cats, dogs, and children — a large, pet-safe statement palm.
Water when the top inch is dry; keep it lightly moist
Feed with a balanced fertiliser
Rinse or wipe the fronds and mist to raise humidity
Crispy brown tips mean dry air or tap-water salts — raise humidity, use filtered water
Repot when tightly root-bound — it dislikes disturbance