Areca vestiaria – Maroon Leaf
 
Common Names Maroon Crownshaft Palm, Red Collar Palm, Pinang Merah
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A rare and visually arresting form of Areca vestiaria, the Maroon Leaf variant is distinguished by its deep burgundy emergent leaves and red-to-maroon crownshaft. Native to the montane rainforests of eastern Indonesia, this clumping palm thrives in humid, shaded environments and adds dramatic color to tropical landscapes. Compared to the orange form, the maroon variant suckers more readily and exhibits stronger pigmentation at higher elevations.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Clumping; slow to moderate growth
Height: 15–25 ft in cultivation
Trunk: Slender, 3–4 in diameter; ringed and often supported by aerial roots
Leaves: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 6 ft long; emergent leaves maroon, fading slowly to green
Petiole: Unarmed; crownshaft and petiole deep red to maroon
Inflorescence: Small yellow-orange flowers beneath crownshaft
Fruit: Ovoid, orange to dark red when ripe
Ecology: Native to Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands; found at elevations up to 1200 m
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Partial shade; filtered light preferred
Watering: Regular; prefers consistently moist soil
Soil: Rich, well-draining loam with organic matter
Temperature: Ideal range 70–90°F (21–32°C); sensitive below 35°F
Humidity: High; thrives in tropical humidity
Propagation: By seed or division; germination in 30–90 days
Tolerance: Sensitive to cold, drought, and wind; prefers sheltered locations
 
Landscape Use Ideal for shaded tropical gardens, walkways, and collector landscapes. Pairs well with Calathea lutea, Cyrtostachys renda, and Alpinia purpurata.