The kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) otherwise known as thatch palm or court palm is an easygoing indoor and outdoor plant suitable for most environments. Native to Lord Howe island in the South Pacific, the kentia stands unlike other palms: easy to grow in many kinds of conditions. This does not mean it will grow under any type of care. Just like any other plant, there are ways to tell if your kentia needs adjustments to its care, so let's dive into everything you need to know before caring for your very own kentia.

Why choose a Kentia?

Kentia palms are standout pieces in any plant collection. Their fan-like leaves are eye-catching in any space and the perfect first tree for a beginner plant parent looking to expand into standing plants. One of the highlights of choosing a kentia lies in their ease of care. Kentias are particularly known for getting along in a wide range of environments and can adapt to many types of soil.

With their ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and lighting, the kentia is the perfect plant for indoor and outdoor placement, although we do recommend avoiding bright light and bringing them inside for the winter months.

Care tips

• Watering. Water whenever the top 2cm of soil has dried out. Keep the soil moist, but don’t allow the roots to sit in water.

• Light & placement. Bright, indirect light, but NOT direct sunlight.

• Humidity. Kentia enjoys a decent amount of humidity, which you can create with a humidifier, regular misting or by setting on a pebble tray.

• Good to know. Give Kentia a feed with liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. These plants are safe for households with children and pets.

Common care mistakes

Like other plants, kentia palms will let you know when they require more attentive care. Brown leaves can mean a variety of things depending on the circumstance. The air may be too dry or it can signify underwatering. Look out for any change in color to your kentia palm, including yellowing leaves or brown patches. If you notice white spots on your kentia leaves this may mean a plant scale insect problem.

Solutions

Brown leaves, signs of underwatering or dry air, can be solved by placing your palm’s pot in a dish of water and increasing regular watering. In any case, cut off the browning parts and avoid cutting into green areas. Yellowing leaves or brown patches can be caused by too much exposure to the sun. An adjustment in placing should do the trick. As for white spots, the bumps can usually be removed by hand or wiped away with alcohol and cotton. One may also consider pruning if the problem is spotted early on.

Care tips for prevention

Kentia palms prefer to grow in shade to medium indirect light so consider this and avoid bright light which may cause sunburn issues. These palms do prefer a bit of humidity and it would be best to shy away from keeping them in temperatures below 12 C. Kentia palms enjoy a good watering though less in the winter (always use the finger trick method of testing the soil’s moisture before watering). And remember to cut off browning leaves or brown fronds at the base.

Kentia and you

Kentias will thrive in just about any space and are naturally slow growing so you won’t feel cramped or pressured to prune. Kentia palms are great plants for any beginner and can add a bit of decorative diversity to any space.