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Howea Forsteriana “Kentia Palm”

Latin name

Howea forsteriana “Kentia”

Pronounciation

(“HOW-ee-ah for-steh-ree-AH-nah”)

Common name

N/A

Origin

Lord Howe Island (a tiny island, 320 miles off the East coast of Australia). This is the only place on Earth where these plants grow in the wild, and all Kentia palms in cultivation are grown from seedlings started from wild-collected seeds on the island under the strict control of the Lord Howe Island Nursery. Every plant is unique and originated on the island. The species was first introduced to Europe in 1772 by the Forsters – father and son botanists from Germany who travelled as part of Captain Cook’s second voyage to the islands of the Pacific

How easy am I to care for?

Buy one of my cousins from the nursery:

Kentia Palm is a statuesque and graceful palm plant with dark green foliage and arching fronds, also known as Howea forsteriana or even Thatch Palm. Often grown as multiple plants in a pot to give bulk. They are best displayed on their own to show off their shape and they need a good amount of space around them. Kentia palms are the palms found in the “Palm Courts” of great hotels and during the heyday of ocean liners. On Lord Howe Island, the palm’s fronds were used as thatch for the huts of whalers who used to visit the island during the hunting season. Kentia palms are slow growing plants and rarely grow beyond their juvenile form to grow a proper trunk indoors.

All our potted plants come in compostable coir pots.

Caring for your plant

Light

Medium to medium-high light. Avoid direct sunlight.

Watering

The growing medium should be kept moist, but not constantly wet. Under watering may cause the leaves to turn yellow

Pruning

Palms cannot be pruned. Dead or dying fronds should be cut back to the base of the plant

Feeding

Dilute fertilizer can be added to the water every time you water the plant

Pest & Diseases

Generally pest free, but keep an eye open for mealybugs, which should be removed by cleaning with a damp cloth or paper towel. Two-spotted spider mite may also be troublesome if the air is too dry.

Mill Pond Nurseries,
Mill Road,
Henham,
CM22 6AA

T: 0345 505 3333
E: enquiries@planteriagroup.com

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