Does Areca Palm Need Sunlight?

Areca palm is very popular being grown indoors as a houseplant as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical environments. They need very little care and give a stunning appearance to your home or office.

But do you know, as a tropical indoor plant, how much light an Areca palm needs?

In this article, we will discuss why lighting is important for your Areca palm plants and the amount of sunlight that your plant needs! So, let’s not keep you waiting any longer, and let’s begin!

Why is sunlight important for plants?

All life on earth depends on sunlight. Light supplies the energy required to initiate photosynthesis in all plants. This enables the plant to convert all available nutrients, water, and carbon dioxide into sugars that will promote growth and sustain health, as well as release oxygen through the leaves.

Plants simply cannot survive without sunlight as it needs light for the process of photosynthesis to create their food. But depending on the environmental conditions, each plant has a distinct requirement for light to survive. Some might require direct sunlight, while some may need partial to indirect sunlight.

So how do we make sure we give our indoor plants the right lighting because indoor lighting is significantly different from the lighting they receive outdoors?

Let us now explore the different sun exposures that indoor plants receive!

Different types of sun exposure for indoor plants

There are a few types of sun exposure that we mention for plants that need direct, indirect, partial, or low sunlight. Everything depends on the plant and its requirements. It also depends on the surroundings they are growing up in. We all know that almost all plants need sunlight to develop, but that does not mean they require the same amount of light. Each plant differs from others due to its growing conditions. Let us now discuss some types of sun exposure that an indoor plant receives!

1. Direct sunlight

It means that a plant receives sunlight without any filters or obstacles in its way. Between 12 to 4 in the afternoon, the light is said to be at its strongest. A regular indoor plant will require as much sunlight as it can obtain daily, or at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Usually, you place the plant outside directly under the sun’s rays.

2. Bright direct sunlight

When the plants are not directly under the sun but rather in a location that has lots of light. Typically the plants are placed near south-facing windows or next to fixtures that reflect light throughout a room. It is beneficial for the plants that need light for about 5 to 7 hours daily but not the direct light from the sun. Direct sunlight can be harmful to plants if kept under it for a long period.

3. Low light

Areas that are remote from windows or close to a north-facing window that is shaded. The least intense light is like in a room without windows. The plant that needs low light is kept in shaded areas but not completely as they receive partial light. Keeping the plants without any light or reflected light can be harmful to the plant and lead to its death also. Low light refers to less light compared to bright indirect light.

4. Filtered light

It refers to the bright indirect light that gets filtered through another object like a curtain or any other obstacle. In this situation, the light passes through the object and gets reflected by it leading to only a little needed amount of light left that reaches the plant.

Amount of sunlight needed by Areca Palm

Due to their nature, areca palms typically demand direct sunshine. They are commonly found in regions with full sun, where they spend the majority of the day in direct, intense light, or partial sun. In places of direct sunlight, the leaves of this plant can quickly scorch and change color. Since they are protected and receive uneven light throughout the day, the inner leaves appear to be the healthiest. The plant’s care and exposure to light determine all of its development.

Areca palms need at least six hours of indirect sunshine each day. The best place to grow this kind of palm is next to a window or under a shaded area of your porch. The more moisture you can provide these palms the better. Also, to prevent them from browning, keep your palm out of direct sunlight for no longer than five hours. Excess sun exposure can also cause damage to the Areca palm.

What are the signs of Areca Palm that you should look for not receiving enough sunlight?

Tropical vegetation like palm trees requires sunlight to survive. Areca palms are known to handle lower illumination levels than some other types of palms. But, very low light for extended periods will affect their growth and nourishment. Palm trees need care and attention to grow healthily. Especially Areca palm needs sunlight for better and more developed growth because, without sunlight, the plant has to face many problems.

Lack of growth is the primary indicator that the plant is not getting enough light. The plant requires extra light if you don’t see any new foliage or if the ones you do see start to bend over and lose their shape. Proper amenities and sunlight need to be given to the plant to avoid such a situation. Place your Areca palm in an appropriate location to receive the correct amount of sunlight.

Another sign is that the plant may also create more chlorophyll due to reduced light, which causes the leaves to turn a darker shade of green, a sign that it might benefit from a brighter location. Areca palm should daily get around 5 to 6 hours of sunlight for nourished growth. Less or no light can make your palm lose its color and then, gradually wither away. Hence, you have to give the plant the attention it requires.

Where should you place your Areca Palm for the best sunlight exposure?

Areca palms are listed as being tolerant of a variety of lighting situations, including low light and direct sunlight. They do, however, develop most effectively in locations that receive a lot of bright, indirect light throughout the day.

However, if the palm is exposed to too much light, the plant’s leaves will begin to burn or eventually turn yellow. Therefore, you must be careful when putting your areca palm in the sun. They don’t mind spending a couple of hours in the morning sun, but the rest of the day ought to be spent in bright indirect light. Think about assuming a position in front of a window with a sheer curtain that faces south or west.

Make sure the plant is positioned in the window’s light rather than next to or below it, where it can be blocked. Also, for easy access, many individuals choose to place their Areca palms in pots on their porches or close to their swimming pools. Depending on your space, you can plant an Areca palm in the ground in a container.

FAQ’s

Q1. Can Areca Palms Survive Outdoors?

Ans. Areca palms can survive outdoors to a certain extent. They can grow successfully outdoors if provided with proper care and kept out of direct sunlight. If planted in the ground, areca palms can reach heights up to 20 feet. This particular variety of palm grows well in nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil.

Q2. Can Areca Palms Take Full Sun?

Ans. Even though these trees can resist direct sunlight, it is preferable to keep them out of it. When exposed to too much direct sunlight, the fronds of areca palms, which are much lighter than those of other palm trees, tend to become brown or yellow. Keep in mind when planting an areca palm that they are easily damaged by extreme sun exposure.

Q3. How often should I water my areca palm?

Ans. You should regularly water your Areca palm. Before watering, you should check the soil by inserting a finger in to see if it is dry or not. Water only until the top two inches of soil is dry. Although underwatering and uneven watering can also cause the leaves to dry out, which may further harm the plant. To avoid such a situation, ensure that the container the plant is placed in has a proper drainage system.

Conclusion

The best palm tree to grow indoors is Areca Palm. It is a plant that grows quickly, which makes the spring and summer months quite exciting. Areca Palms makes your home feel like a tropical paradise. As we have learned before, areca palms don’t appreciate direct sunshine. So, choose a location that gives your plant the right amount of light to brighten up any room!

I hope the above-provided information was helpful to you and cleared all your doubts regarding the sunlight needs of an areca plant. If you have any further questions that are revolving in your mind, feel free to comment down below, and also don’t forget to share this article with your plant lover friends and family!