Areca catechu ‘Dwarf’
 
Common Names Dwarf Betel Nut Palm, Miniature Areca Palm, Pinang Kecil
 
Zones 10B–11
 
A compact cultivar of the iconic Betel Nut Palm, Areca catechu ‘Dwarf’ features tight leaf clusters and a reduced overall height, making it suitable for container culture and small tropical gardens. Though visually similar to the standard form, its shorter leaves and slower growth rate distinguish it as a collector’s choice. Like its full-sized counterpart, it produces the culturally significant areca nut, though fruiting is rare outside ideal tropical conditions.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing; compact form
Height: Typically 6–12 ft (1.8–3.6 m); trunk diameter ~4 in (10 cm)
Trunk: Slender; smooth; ringed; green to gray-green
Crownshaft: Emerald green; short and glossy
Leaves: Pinnate; ~1 ft (30 cm) long; tight clusters; jagged leaflet tips
Inflorescence: Whitish; sweet-scented; emerges below crownshaft
Fruit: Oval; orange-yellow when ripe; ~2.5 in (6 cm) long; rarely produced in cultivation
Ecology: Native to Southeast Asia; dwarf form likely selected from cultivated populations
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Part shade to filtered sun; tolerates full sun in humid climates
Watering: Moderate to high; prefers consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-drained; dislikes drying out
Temperature: Cold-sensitive; damage below 50°F (10°C)
Humidity: Very high; essential for healthy growth
Propagation: By seed or division; dwarf trait may not be reliably passed from seed
Tolerance: Not drought-, salt-, or wind-tolerant; best grown in pots or protected gardens
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical courtyards, conservatories, and collectors of compact palms. Pairs well with Licuala grandis, Chambeyronia macrocarpa, and Areca vestiaria.