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Howea forsteriana is often confused with:
Howea belmoreana Single stemmed, pinnate-leaved palm
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Neoregelia Leaves, flowers
Ravenea rivularis Solitary, thick-trunk palm with pinnate leaves.
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Howea forsteriana has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage
Root Mealybugs
Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Greenhouse Thrips
Fern Scale Insect
Howea forsteriana has some common disease problems:
Sooty Molds

Howea forsteriana

Previously known as:

  • Kentia forsteriana
Phonetic Spelling
HOW-ee-ah for-stair-ee-AH-na
Description

Kentia palm is endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia. It is a single-stemmed, pinnate-leaved, evergreen perennial in the palm family (Arecaceae). The genus name commemorates its island home, and the species epithet honors William Forster, a 19th-century senator of New South Wales. 

Kentia palm is a popular houseplant in temperate climates that requires little light; however, it can adapt to sunny locations and is a landscaping plant in Southern California. As long as direct sunlight is avoided, it can withstand outdoor temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Although tolerant of heat, humidity and rainfall, this plant has a better chance of success in areas where the extremes are not reached. It is also moderately tolerant of salt spray and drought. Indoors, it requires moderate light and temperatures that are comfortable for people. For best growth, it should have a well-drained, humus-rich potting mix that does not dry out. Fertilize with houseplant fertilizer infrequently; encapsulated, slow-release fertilizer is ideal.

Often confused with the Belmore sentry palm (Howea belmoreana), the kentia palm is much faster and easier to grow and has leaves that are not recurved. Both species are endemic to Lord Howe Island, but the kentia palm favors coastal habitats, whereas the Belmore sentry palm grows at higher elevations.

This palm was hugely popular in Victorian times, and photos and engravings from the period often depict large urns of this palm gracing restaurants, parlors, and hotel lobbies. Not as popular today as it was then, the palm has never completely fallen out of fashion. These palms are well suited to containers and have a track record for surviving low light, dust, central heating, rough handling, drought and general neglect. The kentia palm may be planted near a sidewalk, house or fence. Due to their large size, they make a good focal point in an interior or exterior landscape. Although sometimes sold in groups within one large pot, this is not a "suckering" palm. This slow growing plant grows more quickly when planted individually rather than part of a grouping. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The most serious issue for this palm is potassium deficiency. Necrosis (tissue death) can appear on the leaflet at the tips of older leaves. Younger leaves can suffer from manganese deficiency, which will manifest as leaflet tip necrosis on the basal leaflets. Boron deficiency can cause stunted or distorted new leaves. Fungal leaf spot, as well as spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects are common issues.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#specimen#interiorscape#fronds#showy fruits#indoor#tropical palm#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant#showy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#specimen#interiorscape#fronds#showy fruits#indoor#tropical palm#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant#showy
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Howea
    Species:
    forsteriana
    Family:
    Arecaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Container or indoor plant.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Howe Island, between Australia and New Zealand
    Distribution:
    Coastal and low elevations
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Textural
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The oval-shaped fruits will appear when the tree has reached approximately 15 years old. When ripened, they will be a reddish-brown and pointed at each end.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Inflorescence is about 3.5 feet long with flowers on 3-7 spikes, fused at their bases. Both male and female flowers are present in the same inflorescence. They will appear below the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves (fronds) are feather-shaped, arching, up to 10-12 feet long, with drooping leaflets. Each leaf can have up to 90 leaflets that bend in a downward fashion. Leaflets are dark green on the upper side and a lighter green on the underside and 2 1/2' long and 2" wide.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    Its bark is dark green on young plants, that turns brown as the tree ages.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity