How to Grow Kentia Palm

Botanical Name: Howea forsteriana

Over many years, a kentia palm tree can reach several feet in height, making it a striking, tropical floor plant. Give it some elbow room, too. Those elegant, arching fans can grow as much as 1 ft (30 cm) wide and at least 2 ft (60 cm) long.

All of them grow from a single trunk, but growers typically plant several together for a lush, full appearance. This is hands-down one of the most popular indoor palm trees, and it's easy to see why.

The palm family is large, but only a few kinds of palm trees are tolerant of average home conditions. This dramatic palm is one.

How to Care for Kentia Palm Indoors

Give it a shower. Keep the fronds dust-free by giving your palm a shower. This has the added benefit of flushing the soil of built-up fertilizer. Use a gentle flow of tepid water. Or stand the plant outdoors for a gentle summer (warm) rain shower. Remember to keep your palm out of direct sun.

Watch for scale insects. They look like brown oval bumps that tend to lurk on the undersides of the leaflets. Treat any infestation immediately. Dry indoor air can attract spider mites to indoor plants; if left untreated, they can cause a lot of damage to a plant then move on to your other houseplants. Maintaining humidity is the best prevention for these pests -- and your tropical palm will love it.

Repot only when needed. Planting palm trees is only necessary every 3 years at the most. Kentias are slow-growing and don't like to be disturbed. Their roots are fragile, so handle them carefully. 

Brown leaf tips are common even on healthy palms. Boosting the humidity around your plant will help. Watch humidity levels, especially during the winter months when indoor air can become extremely dry. 

Kentia Palm Indoor Care

Origin: Lord Howe Island (Northeast of Australia)

Height: Grows slowly, but can reach up to 8 ft (2.4 m) indoors

Light: Kentias tolerate shade better than some, but you'll get a healthier, greener plant by giving your palm bright, indirect light year-round. Take care not to put it in direct sunlight, which may cause brown scorch marks on its leaves.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall. In winter, allow the top half of the soil to dry out before watering again. Too much water will cause leaves to turn yellow then brown. To keep Kentia palm looking its best, brown fronds can be cut off.

Humidity: Kentia palm likes high humidity (around 50-60% relative humidity). If the relative humidity drops below 40%, use a cool-mist room humidifier. Brown leaf tips are a symptom of dry air, although this is common even on healthy palms.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-80°F/18-27°C. Kentia palm can tolerate a minimum of 55°F/13°C.

Soil: Peat moss-based potting mix with added horticultural sand for quick drainage.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer. Organic palm fertilizer contains the micronutrients this palm needs. Don't feed in fall and winter when growth has slowed.

Propagation: Kentia seeds can be grown with a grow light and heat mat, but seedlings are slow-growing. You'll wait for years for seedlings to grow into a tall palm tree.

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