Abstract: The shape, texture and peel composition of areca fruits from Hainan province were analyzed during the growing period. Results showed that the suitable harvesting period of areca was 117～145 days after flowering. After 117 days of flowering, the fruits shaped up. Besides, the pectin in peels accumulated rapidly from 110 to145 days, and hemicellulose and cellulose increased slowly as the fruits grew. After 145 days of flowering, the contents of lignin in pericarp of areca nuts ascended rapidly with the increment speed of 17.6% every 7 days,which indicated that the fruits began to age, and would show larger hardness and worse chewing sensation.