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(Howea forsteriana)
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
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Michael Hains
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Michael Hains
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Michael Hains | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Occurence ID: https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2423543163 | Publisher: Atlas of Living Australia |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Howea forsteriana, commonly known as Kentia Palm, is an evergreen palm tree native to Lord Howe Island, Australia. It belongs to the Arecaceae family and is known for its graceful form and tolerance of low-light conditions, making it a favored indoor plant. The Kentia Palm can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall and 6 meters (20 feet) wide in its natural habitat, which consists of subtropical rainforests and moist, sheltered valleys. Its fronds are pinnate and can reach 3 meters (10 feet) in length, contributing to its elegant appearance.
The Kentia Palm is valued for its air-purifying qualities and its ability to adapt to indoor environments, where it adds a tropical touch. It is widely used as a container plant in homes and offices, and in outdoor landscaping in regions with mild climates. The palm is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases, although it can be susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs when grown indoors. It requires well-drained soil and should be watered thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Fertilize regularly during the growing season. In outdoor settings, it is used as a street tree or in private gardens, particularly in southern Australia and northern New Zealand. It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from temperatures below 10°C (50°F).CC BY-SA 4.0
The Kentia Palm is valued for its air-purifying qualities and its ability to adapt to indoor environments, where it adds a tropical touch. It is widely used as a container plant in homes and offices, and in outdoor landscaping in regions with mild climates. The palm is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases, although it can be susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs when grown indoors. It requires well-drained soil and should be watered thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Fertilize regularly during the growing season. In outdoor settings, it is used as a street tree or in private gardens, particularly in southern Australia and northern New Zealand. It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from temperatures below 10°C (50°F).CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 20-33 feet
- Width: 10-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Fall, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to subtropical rainforests and moist, sheltered valleys of Lord Howe Island
Other Names
Common Names: Paradise Palm, Sentry Palm, Palm Court Palm, Thatch Palm, Forster Sentry Palm, Thatch-Leaf Palm, Sentrypalm, Kentiapalme, Förmakspalm, Palmeira-Quência
Scientific Names: , Howea forsteriana, Howeia forsteriana, Kentia forsteriana, Denea forsteriana, Grisebachia forsteriana, Kentia australis,
GBIF Accepted Name: Howea forsteriana (F.Muell.) Becc.