Kentia Palm / Paradise Palm
Howea forsteriana
description
Kentia Palm is an elegant slow-growing palm with long gracefully arching fronds.
benefits
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Kentia Palm
sunlight
In its island forest habitat, Kentia Palm grows beneath taller trees, receiving bright, filtered light. At home, give it a bright room with softened sun rather than intense rays on the fronds.
Bright indirect light
Best for steady growth. Place near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window with a sheer curtain.
Lower light - tolerated
It can handle a dimmer spot, but will grow more slowly and may become sparse. Keep it close enough to a window that the room is comfortably bright during the day.
watering
Water thoroughly when the top 2-3 inches of soil feels dry, then let excess drain away. Kentia palms dislike both bone-dry soil and constantly wet roots.
Spring and summer
Check about weekly and expect to water roughly every 7-10 days in bright, warm conditions. Water slowly until it runs from the drainage holes when the upper soil has dried but the root ball still feels lightly moist.
Autumn and winter
Growth slows in lower light, so watering may drop to roughly every 2-3 weeks. Check first: water only after the top few inches are dry and the pot feels noticeably lighter.
humidity
Relative humidity
Native to the humid, sheltered forests of Lord Howe Island, Kentia Palm looks best with moderate humidity. It usually copes well with typical indoor air around 40%, but prolonged dry air can cause brown, crisp leaflet tips and edges.
For drier rooms, raise humidity around the plant rather than soaking the leaves.
- Run a humidifier nearby.
- Group plants together.
- Set the pot on a pebble tray with water below the pot base.
temperature
Preferred temperature
Winter minimum
Native to the mild, coastal climate of Lord Howe Island, Kentia Palm prefers steady room temperatures. It handles normal indoor warmth well, but growth slows in cool rooms and prolonged cold can damage the fronds.
nutrition
March - August
Feed about once a month while your Kentia Palm is making new fronds. Use a balanced liquid houseplant or palm fertilizer with micronutrients at half the label strength, applied to already moist soil. Stop feeding in autumn and winter unless it is clearly growing in bright, warm conditions.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the palm's slow, steady production of rich green fronds. Regular light feeding is enough - too much can damage roots and cause brown leaf tips.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps keep older fronds evenly green. A palm fertilizer that includes magnesium is useful, especially if older leaves develop yellowing while the newer growth stays green.
soil
Airy, moisture-retentive soil
Kentia palms prefer a mix that holds some moisture but still lets excess water drain freely, so their fine roots can breathe. Combine quality potting soil with perlite or pumice and a little orchid bark or coarse coco coir for lasting air pockets.
pH 6,0 - 7,0
This is slightly acidic to neutral, a range most indoor potting mixes naturally provide. Choose a general-purpose mix rather than strongly acidic soil, and refresh compacted old soil when repotting.