Plant guide
Areca Palm
Dypsis lutescens
Areca palm is considered non-toxic to cats. Check that your plant is Dypsis lutescens; the word “palm” alone does not identify it.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: This guide covers the species recorded as Dypsis lutescens in the safety source. It does not cover other plants sold as palms.
Photo:
Photo details
Dypsis lutescens1.jpg
By KENPEI
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Dypsis lutescens1.jpg
By KENPEI
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Areca palm
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Dypsis lutescens and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Dypsis lutescens
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Butterfly Palm
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Dypsis lutescens.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Give bright, indirect light and protect from direct sun.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Maintain moisture without leaving the root zone soggy.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A normal indoor growing range has not been established in this review.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Prefers high humidity; a humidifier can help in dry indoor conditions.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained container mix.
- Through the year
- Repot when needed, commonly every two to three years. Check fronds for scale insects, whiteflies and spider mites.
Growing-guide sources
- chrysalidocarpus lutescens - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
NC State explicitly lists Dypsis lutescens as a previous name for Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. This is the same care subject, not a change to the master name.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.