Yagua Palm
Attalea butyracea · Arecaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around yagua palm and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Butter palm
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to slow
- Hardiness
- Tropical (12 to 27 °C)
- Origin
- Central and South America
- Exposure
- Full sun
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil moist but well-drained. Reduce watering in winter or during dry periods. In containers, let the substrate dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Light Exposure
Place this palm in full sun or very bright light. It tolerates brightly lit environments and needs this for optimal development. Indoors, prioritize a south- or west-facing sunny window.
Soil
Use well-draining substrate rich in organic matter, such as a palm mix (garden soil, potting soil, coarse sand). Good drainage is essential to prevent root diseases, especially in containers.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced or palm-specific fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce or stop fertilizing in autumn-winter. Prefer fertilizer with trace elements for healthy foliage.
Pruning
Remove only dead or severely damaged fronds, cutting them at the base. This palm requires little structural pruning. Avoid cutting the apical bud, which ensures its vertical growth.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for spider mites and scale insects, particularly indoors and in dry conditions. Excess moisture or poor drainage encourage root rot. Ventilate regularly and check the container's drainage.
Did you know?
Attalea butyracea owes its name to the richness of its endosperm in oil: "butyracea" literally means "resembling butter." Its fruits produce an oil traditionally used by tropical American peoples for lighting, cooking, and cosmetics, long before the industrial era.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Dwarf fan palmChamaerops humilis
- Chinese windmill palmTrachycarpus fortunei
- Dwarf palmettoSabal minor
- Mexican fan palmWashingtonia robusta
- Queen palmSyagrus romanzoffiana
- Areca PalmDypsis lutescens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.