Areca catechu is a very commonly grown palm tree in the tropics, grown for the mildly narcotic effects of its seeds when chewed, thus the name Betel Nut. It is a very tall palm and can often be seen in clumps rising head-and-shoulders above neighboring Coconut Palms. Young plants grow well in shade or in full sun but require constant watering or will die quite easily if the soil dries out. A mature established plant can make it through the dry season. Betel Nut Palm seedlings are quite large and hardy but can be sensitive to dryness or poor drainage.

Areca catechu has been said to originate in Malaysia or The Philipines, but the betel nut palm has been cultivated for so long no one is quite sure, although it is almost certainly a palm tree indiginous to South-East Asia.

Along with the sugar palm, coconut palm and oil palm, this is the most commonly cultivated palm tree to be found in the tropics. Due to the long period of cultivation, sub-species have developed such as the attractive minature betel nut palm, and the production of betel nut palm trees has become big business. Areca catechu palms produce a very attractive crown of dark green fan leaves and large, bright orange fruit.

• Common name: Betel Nut Palm
• Origin: South-East Asia
• Spaced required: very tall palm with slender trunk
• Prefered conditions: shade when young, constant watering
• Seed germination: easy
• Distinguishing features: slender ringed trunk and large orange fruit
• Status: Commonly grown