How to Grow and Care for Kentia Palm

Kentia palm, also known as sentry palm, paradise palm, or thatch palm, makes an excellent indoor houseplant. With its upright growth habit, high tolerance for neglect, and tropical vibes, it's the perfect candidate for adding lush greenery with a little height to dimmer spaces. 

These palms are known for their ability to grow to a strikingly great height: 40 feet outside or up to 12 feet inside, even in less-than-ideal conditions—though note that they do have a slow growth rate. They have long, slender leaves on graceful fronds in an attractive shade of deep green.

It might take several years, but a happy, healthy kentia palm will eventually grow high. To keep yours a manageable size for as long as possible, start with a smaller tree only a few feet high. This plant is not toxic to humans or pets.

• Botanical Name: Howea forsteriana
• Common Name: Kentia palm, sentry palm, paradise palm, thatch palm
• Plant Type: Perennial tree
• Mature Size: 12 feet high (indoors)
• Sun Exposure: Low light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 6.1–6.5

Plant Care

While kentia palms are relatively drought-tolerant, keep an eye on yours to avoid underwatering. Yellowing leaves are a sign that the plant needs water. At the same time, too much water isn't good for them, either. A good rule of thumb is to water your kentia palm when the top inch of soil in the container has dried out. 

In the summer growing season, that may be as frequently as once per week. An occasional soaking of the leaves in your shower with tepid water (for smaller specimens) or misting (for larger ones) will help keep the plant moist and remove dust from its leaves. In the winter, when the plant goes dormant, plan to cut back on watering.

Feed your kentia palm with standard houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength once per month in spring, summer, and fall. Pause feedings during the winter months. If the tips of the lower leaves turn dry and brown, it's a sign of overfeeding. If you notice this, cut back on fertilizer. 

Since they're so slow-growing, kentia palms don't need to be repotted very frequently. Every two or three years, if your plant is showing signs of being root-bound—water draining out of the pot very quickly or not being absorbed by the soil as well as roots growing out of the hole in the bottom of the pot—gently remove it from the container, taking care not to disturb the roots. Repot with fresh potting soil in a container one size larger. 

At maturity, kentia palms will blossom with three-foot-long spikes of tiny white flowers, but this typically doesn't happen until the plant is 15 years old or more. 

Best Growing Conditions for Kentia Palm

Despite the kentia palm's reputation for growing well in low light, it'll still grow best with lots of bright, indirect light. To give your plant the best chance of growing lush and full, choose the brightest spot possible. Near an east- or west-facing window is ideal. 

It's also important to consider the size of your plant when you decide where it'll live in your home, especially if you've purchased a large specimen. It's true that they grow slowly, but kentia palms can't be cut back like rubber plants as they grow tall.

Plant your palm in an appropriately sized container with good drainage. Use a well-drained potting soil formulated for containers. If you notice leaf yellowing, you're probably overwatering your palm, whereas brown leaf tips indicates underwatering.

Kentia palms can tolerate a pretty wide range of temperatures, anywhere from 25–100 degrees, but they can't tolerate too much bright sun. Spotting on the leaves is a sign that your palm is getting too much direct sunlight.

How to Propagate Kentia Palm

Unlike similar plants, such as parlor palms, kentia palms can only be propagated via seeds, which don't grow well indoors and can take several months to three years to sprout. For this reason, it's best to leave the propagation to the professionals and simply purchase an additional plant if you're looking to add to your collection. 

Common Growing Problems With Kentia Palm

Luckily, kentia palms are pretty easy to maintain. That said, you may encounter some minor issues, particularly when it comes to watering.

Yellowing Leaves

The most common issue with these trees is that they're very sensitive to water. It's always better to miss a watering than to overwater. If you watered too much, you may notice the fronds turn yellow. In that case, just skip the next watering, and let your plant dry out.

Brown Tips

While it's better to miss a watering than overwater, completely neglecting watering will result in brown leaf tips. Consider misting you plant weekly to help increase moisture levels without overwatering.

FAQs

Are Kentia Palm Easy to Care For?

Yes, these plants are very easy to care for.

How Fast Does Kentia Palm Grow?

Kentia palms are slow-growing, reaching mature size in well over five years.

How Long Can Kentia Palm Live?

Kentia palm, with proper care, can live over 50 years.