Howea forsteriana (Kentia palm)

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Plant description

Howea forsteriana, the Kentia palm, is a beautiful palm native to Lord Howe Island. It is valued as an indoor plant, as well as making a good garden specimen. It can tolerate low light conditions and lack of humidity. It can grow to 15 metres tall, but in a garden situation it is usually smaller, to around 5 metres.

Kentia palms like a well drained, fertile soil, and regular watering. Mulching will help to keep the soil moist as well as discouraging weeds. When young, full sun may burn the leaves, but older plants can take more sun.

If kept indoors, keep moist but don't overwater. Fertilise with half strength liquid fertiliser, or slow release fertiliser. The plant can be taken outside periodically for a spell in a shady spot, and will benefit from more watering to flush any fertilser build up in the potting mix, as long as pot does not sit in the water.

Propagation is from seed.

Further reading: Top ten native plants and Best natives for pots and small gardens (articles written by native plant expert and horticulturalist Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: not specified
Flowering season: not specified

Plant size

Maximum height: 15 metres
Minimum height: 4 metres

Maximum width: 5 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: dry, moist, well-drained.

Clay: well-drained.

Sand: moist, well-drained.

Pests

Scale, mealy bugs

Miscellaneous information

Native to: Australia.

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose liquid or slow release fertiliser.

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