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Kentia Palm Care
Howea forsteriana
Basic Kentia Palm Care
Kentia Palms are pretty hardy plants that can stand environments which many other houseplants wouldn’t be able to, making them quite easy to care for. They can grow up to 40 feet but indoor Kentia Palms won’t often grow more than 3-4 metres.
Bright Indirect Light
I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves.
Water Frequently
I like my soil to be moist so make sure to water me often.
Medium Humidity
Please make sure the air isn't too dry, otherwise I won't be a happy plant.
Potting Soil
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.
Detailed Kentia Palm Care Information
Whether you're looking to make sure your Kentia Palm is in it's perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We've got you covered.
They thrive in bright, indirect light
Kentia Palms will also adapt to low light environments but this might stilt growth. During darker winter months try to move your palm nearer the windows to maximise on the light.
Make sure to water your Kentia Palm regularly
Kentia palms are pretty tolerant when it comes to watering but they don’t like it too dry or overly soggy. Every so often mist your Kentia palm and it will love you.
Room temperature suits them best
This makes Kentia Palms super easy to grow at home and care for. Just be cautious of putting them close to draughty windows or doors and water slightly more if you have the heating on a lot over winter.
Kentia Palms are safe for children and pets
Unlike many other houseplants, kentia palms are completely safe and non-toxic for children and pets!
Remember to dust their leaves
Kentia Palms are a little fussy about having dust on their leaves so as part of your Kentia Palm care routine, try and make sure to give it a once over with a damp cloth every now and again.
Avoid repotting your palm
Kentia palms have pretty delicate roots so don’t like to be repotted often. It is better to leave your palm in the pot even if it is a little root-bound, than to disrupt the root system by repotting.
Propagation can be very difficult
Unfortunately, Kentia Palms can only be propagated by germinating the seed which is pretty difficult to do indoors.
Kentia Palm FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Kentia Palm .
When grown indoors, Kentia Palms can reach 2-4 meters (6-13 feet) in height.
Kentia Palms are quite slow growing and it can take many years for them to fully mature. However, the perk of this is that they won’t outgrow the space very quickly and you don’t need to worry about repotting each year.
You want to water your Kentia Palm moderately, about once a week during summer and less during winter. They don’t like to have super dry soil but also won’t cope well with soggy soil as that can quickly cause root rot.
Kentia Palms thrive in bright but indirect sunlight. Although they can adapt to lower light areas, growth will be slower.
Kentia Palms are completely safe and non-toxic making them perfect for every home.
Kentia Palm Care Starter Kit
We've put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you'll need to take proper care of your Kentia Palm .
Common Problems with your Kentia Palm
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
If you notice that your Kentia Palm’s leaf tips are turning crispy brown, this is most likely due to underwatering which is drying out the leaves. Check the moisture in the soil and water your palm more regularly. Remember Kentia Palms don’t like to dry out completely inbetween waterings.
Yellowing leaves on Kentia Palms is most often caused by root rot meaning you are overwatering your palm. Replace the soil if it is waterlogged and water less frequently. Find out more in our post about yellow Kentia Palm leaves.
Overwatering can affect the root system which will mean your Kentia Palm is unable to stand upright. The best option is to stop watering as much for a while. If the problem persists, try taking your palm out of the pot and replacing the soil.
Simple Kentia Palm Care Requirements
It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here's the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Howea forsteriana.
These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come.
| Common Name | Kentia Palm |
| Latin Name | Howea forsteriana |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Water | Water Frequently |
| Humidity | Medium Humidity |
| Soil Type | Potting Soil |
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Related Plants
Here are some other plants that will work in similar conditions, or have some matching qualities.
