The Areca Palm, often called the Golden Cane Palm, absolutely loves warm weather. While it’s usually kept indoors, you can definitely move your palm outside during the summer months to give it a little vacation. Here’s how to find the perfect outdoor spot for your palm and what it needs to stay happy and healthy.
Finding the Perfect Outdoor Spot
The Areca Palm can be a bit picky about its location. On one hand, it wants a spot that’s warm and bright. On the other hand, constant, direct midday sun is a big no-no for those beautiful fronds. They can actually get a “sunburn,” which isn’t just ugly—it can really hurt the plant’s health. Your best bet is a bright but protected area. Try placing it in the dappled shade of other plants or near a wall where it only gets direct sun for a short part of the day.
Here’s your checklist for the ideal spot:
- Protection from heavy rain and strong winds
- Plenty of light, but no scorching direct sunlight
- Temperatures consistently above 65°F (18°C)
When you first move your Areca Palm outside, make sure to acclimate it slowly to its new surroundings. If the nights are still chilly, it’s best to bring the plant back indoors. Keep an eye on the thermometer: once it drops below 60°F (16°C), it’s officially too cold for your palm. Ideally, you want summer temps to stay at 65°F or higher.
Taking Care of Your Areca Palm
One thing you never want to do is let the root ball dry out completely. Water your Areca Palm regularly using soft water (low in lime). Rainwater is a fantastic choice! If you’re using tap water, let it sit out for a couple of days first, and make sure it’s not ice-cold when you pour it in. Even though these palms like to stay hydrated, they hate “wet feet.” Always make sure excess water can drain freely from the bottom of the pot to avoid root rot.
Your palm will also need a little extra food to grow its best. Use a high-quality palm fertilizer from your local garden center about every two weeks. Just a heads-up: if you’ve recently repotted your Golden Cane Palm, skip the fertilizer for the first two months to let the roots settle. As soon as those temperatures start dipping toward 60°F, it’s time to bring your Areca Palm back inside for the winter.
