Kentia Palm

The Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) made its name indoors, and it is an Australian native: it grows wild only on Lord Howe Island off the New South Wales coast. Planted out in a warm garden it settles at about 6m tall and 3m wide, though reaching that height takes ten to fifteen years. That slowness is the appeal. It holds a graceful arching crown, tolerates low light better than any palm sold here, and it is safe around cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• It copes with real indoor light. Most palms sulk away from a window. This one keeps its colour and form in filtered light, and has been the standard indoor palm for over a century.
• Slow growth is a feature. A Kentia in a good pot stays in scale with the room for years instead of hitting the ceiling.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it is one of the few large indoor plants you can stand on the floor without worrying.
• Non-invasive roots. Planted out, the root system stays well behaved near paving, pool shells and pipes.
• Coastal and wind tolerant. It holds its fronds together outdoors where lighter palms shred.

Where it works best

Indoors. Bright indirect light near an east facing window is ideal, though it holds in a darker corner and simply grows more slowly. Keep it clear of air conditioning outlets and heater vents, which brown the tips faster than anything else.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. Slow growth means years between repottings. Choose a heavy pot: the crown catches wind and a light plastic container will tip.

Poolside and feature planting. Salt tolerance and light litter drop make it a good palm for a pool surround. In warmer gardens it plants out well in groups of three.

Growing the Kentia Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Filtered light or part shade. Young plants burn in direct summer sun and mature ones handle more. It takes light frost only, so in Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart treat it as an indoor or sheltered courtyard plant.

Soil and mix. Free draining, organic and never waterlogged. Indoors, use a premium potting mix and make sure the pot drains rather than standing in a full saucer.

Water, feed and groom. Water thoroughly once the top few centimetres of mix have dried, then let it drain completely: more Kentias are lost to constant wet than to drought. Outdoors, deep soak twice a week through the first summer. Feed with a slow release palm fertiliser in early spring and midsummer, since yellow patching on older fronds usually means a potassium or magnesium shortage. Cut old fronds off at the base once they brown, never into the crown.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in a long size ladder: 200mm and 250mm packs, then 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots, then 90L, 100L, 110L and 200L. Kentias are almost always grown with several seedlings to a pot, which is deliberate and gives the multi-stemmed look. Do not separate them.

Because growth is slow, buy close to the size you want. Fronds are packed folded for transit and lift back into position over a week or two. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare the full palm range
• Browse indoor plants for Australian homes
• Choose a pot heavy enough for a palm crown

Common questions

How fast does a Kentia Palm grow?

Slowly. Expect one to three new fronds a year indoors and a little more in a warm garden. Reaching 5m to 6m takes ten to fifteen years, which is why larger sizes cost more.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually dry air, fertiliser salt build up, or letting the mix dry too far between waterings. Move it away from vents.

Can I plant it outside in Melbourne or Perth?

In Perth, yes, in a sheltered position with afternoon shade. In Melbourne, keep it in a pot that can move under cover.