Betel Nut

The Betel Nut Palm (Areca catechu) is a tall, thin, and very beautiful tree grown throughout warm regions for its unique areca nut fruit.

It has a perfectly straight, smooth trunk topped by a crown of feather-like leaves. It's an elegant tree that's great for making a garden look lush and tropical. The nuts themselves have a long history of cultural importance; people often chew them with a betel leaf for a mild stimulating effect.

Key Facts

 Height: It usually grows between 10 to 20  meters tall.

 Sunlight: It needs full sun once it's grown, though young plants prefer some shade.

Water: This palm needs soil that is always moist and well-drained. It is very sensitive to drought and loves high humidity.

Fruiting Time: It takes about 6 to 10 years from a seed before it starts producing nuts.

Did You Know?

 The Name: The fruit is the areca nut, not the "betel nut." Betel is actually the name of the leaf people chew with the nut.

Farm Use: Farmers often plant it alongside other crops, like cocoa, because the tall palm provides a beneficial, cooler shade for those plants.

In WA it's illegal to sell nuts. Plants are fine.