Sentry Palm Howea forsteriana
Other Common Name(s):
- Description
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A popular houseplant in temperate climates, this slow growing palm requires little light. 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.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Howea
- Species:
- forsteriana
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Howe Island, near Australia and New Zealand
- Distribution:
- Coastal and low elevations
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Tree
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are arching, up to 10-12 feet long, with drooping leaflets.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Heptapleurum arboricola
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Pandanus tectorius
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Setcreasea pallida 'Purple Heart'
- Howea forsteriana has some common insect problems:
- Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage
- Howea forsteriana has some common disease problems:
- Sooty Molds
