Howea forsteriana
Common name: Kentia palm · Sentry palm · Thatch palm
Howea forsteriana is an elegant palm endemic to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia. It grows slowly into a single-trunked palm with gracefully drooping, dark green fronds, and is renowned for tolerating indoor conditions better than most palms.
Care summary
Sun
Low to bright indirect light
Water
Allow top soil to dry between waterings
Soil
Well-draining, loamy potting mix
Hardiness
Zones 9b–11
Mature height
Up to 3 m (10 ft) indoors, 12 m (40 ft) in habitat
Pet safe
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
Propagated only from seed, which is slow and demanding: soak fresh seed, sow it in a warm, moist, well-drained medium, and expect germination to take several months. Home propagation is rarely practical, so plants are usually bought as seedlings.
Fun facts
- It grows naturally only on Lord Howe Island, a small island between Australia and New Zealand.
- It was a favorite of Victorian Europe and graced ballrooms, hotels, and ocean liners.
- It is famously slow-growing, which makes large specimens expensive.
- Kentia palms were reportedly among Queen Victoria's favorite palms.