Plant DetailShow Menu

Golden Butterfly Palm Dypsis lutescens

Previously known as:

  • Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Phonetic Spelling
DIP-sis loo-TESS-enz
Description

This tropical plant is grown as a houseplant in temperate climates.  In the home, they prefer a bright location in a warm to average room and high humidity.  They have multiple stems that arise from one base and large, arching, pinnately compound green fronds.  Panicles of yellow flowers appear in the summer.  One of several common names, "butterfly palm" refers to the leaves which curve upwards in multiple stems that look similar to a butterfly.  It has been shown to reduce indoor air pollution and is one of the most popular indoor palms.

Grow in well-drained potting soil and keep moist but not soggy during the growing season.

Family name Arecaceae (Palmae)

Quick ID Hints:

  • Yellow-green petioles and leaf rachis
  • Petioles have maculate, fleshy base

Subtropical to 30, vase-shaped and tree-like. 

Used as large floor specimen. Prefers medium light, moist soil and medium humidity; very cold-sensitive; overfertilization results in yellow leaves; pest problems

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#bright light#interiorscape#palm#fan shaped#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#bright light#interiorscape#palm#fan shaped#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dypsis
    Species:
    lutescens
    Family:
    Arecaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Madagascar
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2 inch long yellow-orange fruits that mature to nearly black.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 feet long panicles of yellow flowers in summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 feet compound light green upward curving leaves with yellow midribs. Leaflets are lance-shaped, 0.5 to 0.75 inches long and there are 40-60 per side of rachis, linear to lanceolate; petioles yellow-green, waxy, base maculate. Evenly pinnately compound
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Bamboo like stems, erect, clustered, smooth and ringed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container