Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

A Kentia Palm is one of the most elegant and expensive palms that can be used in an indoor container. Ranging in size from 4ft. to 12ft. or more, a Kentia is slow growing, durable, and very forgiving. It has long (sometimes several feet in length), graceful, feathery, dark green fronds coming off of a single thin trunk. This stately Palm grows almost anywhere in your home or office. Direct sun, however, burns the leaves.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: A Kentia Palm is an indoor plant that can survive in low light conditions but grows better and develops more fronds in medium indirect light

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Water a Kentia Palm well and then allow the top 25% of soil to dry out before watering again. Over-watering, resulting in root-rot, is the major reason Kentias die. Kentia Palms, like most indoor palms, are sensitive to salt, fluoride, and chlorine in the water. Use bottled water if your water has a high chemical concentration.

FERTILIZER: A Kentia Palm is a slow growing plant. Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing with a basic houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength.

TEMPERATURE: Keep the room temperature between 65 and 85 degrees for a Kentia Palm.

HUMIDITY: A Kentia Palm does well in basic household humidity.

PESTS: Kentia Palms are bothered by the plant pests spider mites and Mealy Bugs. Since Palm fronds are easily damaged, never use anything containing alcohol on them. Use a biodegradable soap solution to treat houseplant pests. If this doesn’t eliminate the plant pests on a Kentia Palm, try an insecticidal soap or Neem Oil.

SOIL: Use a well-aerated potting soil that drains quickly but still holds water for a Kentia Palm; add some sand if the soil appears too heavy.