Triangle palm tree in the wild

Credit: Forest et Kim Starr

Stipe of triangle palm

Credit: Forest et Kim Starr

Dypsis decaryi palms growing in a V-shape

Credit: Carl Bagge

Fruits of Dypsis decaryi

Credit: Roger Culos

The triangle palm Dypsis decaryi, the geometric palm

Close your eyes and imagine a palm tree. Chances are you've visualized a tree with a long trunk and a crown of leaves. If so, prepare to be surprised by Dypsis decaryi. Endemic to Madagascar, this plant of the Arecaceae family is distinguished by its triangular crown and stipe.

How to recognize the triangle palm, Dypsis decaryi?

In the wild, the Dypsis decaryi triangle palm grows up to twelve meters tall. In our latitudes, it grows to no more than six meters in the ground and three in pots. It differs from its cousin areca Palm in its fan-shaped habit.

Its palms grow along three axes. From the front, the evergreen foliage forms an equilateral triangle. Seen from the sky, Dypsis decaryi looks like a three-pointed star. It's not just the crown that adopts a geometric shape. When mature, the stipe also takes on the appearance of a triangle.

Palms are attached to the trunk by a reddish petiole covered with a waxy plum. Green and pinnate, they grow in a V shape from the stipe.

The triangle palm blooms from June to September, weather permitting. Yellow flowers bloom in clusters of three.

They then turn into a yellowish or green fruit, which encloses the brown seed. Curious eaters may be tempted to taste the juicy flesh. But it's best not to. The drupe is not edible.

Couldn't resist? Don't worry, the triangle palm is not toxic to humans or animals.

Our maintenance tips

Triangle palms are easy to grow. To avoid killing them, you need to remember two things:

1. Palms need light. Be careful, however, not to expose it to full southern exposure: too much sun will burn its foliage.

2. Indoor palms like humidity, but hate excess water. Over-watering can rot the roots.

Watering

Triangle Palm likes humidity, but not at root level. Water only when the rootball has dried to a depth of two or three centimeters.

Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature. If you've placed your houseplant on a dish, empty the stagnant water each time it appears.

Spray

Brumisez le feuillage avec une eau non calcaire améliore l'hygrométrie et lutte contre les attaques de nuisibles.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Dypsis decaryi to give it more space.

Choose a pot that's deep enough for the roots to grow and perforated so that excess water can drain away.

Pour in a bed of clay balls or pozzolan and cover with drainage felt. Then add a mixture of equal parts sand, potting soil and topsoil. You can also use a substrate for green or Mediterranean plants.

Meanwhile, soak your palm's root ball to rehydrate it. Untangle the roots and plant in the center of the pot. The potting soil should be level with the collar. Top up with substrate, pack and water.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Dypsis decaryi, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Apply a liquid fertilizer for green plants to stimulate growth.

Cleaning

When the foliage of your Triangle palm is covered with dust, the photosynthesis process is slowed down. To allow the plant to take full advantage of the light, gently wipe the leaves with a clean, damp cloth.

To avoid damaging the largest limbs, support them with one hand while you wash them with the other.

Prune

You can remove dead palms, i.e. Those that are dry and yellowed. To do this, use pruning shears and cut at the base of the leaf.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

While you're soaking the rootball, dig a hole at least twice as big. You can amend the soil with sand and potting soil to improve drainage and fertilization.

Place a layer of clay balls and a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at the bottom of the pit.

Plant your Triangle palm in the center. The soil should be level with the collar. Fill in, pack and water to promote contact between roots and soil.

Seedling

Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 48 hours.

You should plant your seeds only when the temperature is between 20 and 24 degrees.

Prepare cups or a tray filled with special seedling soil and perlite. Then press the seed into the substrate to within a centimetre of the surface. Keep the soil moist by spraying regularly.

Once your seedlings have four leaves, they're developed enough to be transplanted into a larger pot.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Arecaceae - Arecaceae
Type	Dypsis - Dypsis
Species	Triangle palm - Dypsis decaryi
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade Shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Tree Shrub
Tag	Large pot
Origin	East Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower color
Fruit colors