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Kentia Palm

(105 customer reviews)

$188.00$409.00

Elegant and stately, the Howea forsteriana is one of the first plants cultured for use inside buildings (think hotel lobbies in classic Bogart films), and it stands the test of time.  It’s also one palm that can tolerate low-light conditions.  As part of our collection, it comes to us with a strong root system grown in lava rock from Hawaii or soil from Florida giving it long-lasting properties with very little fuss.  Using sub-irrigation, this plant can go nearly a month between waterings.  It’s got a nice upright nature, but can spread its fronds over time.  With no disrespect for the less-expensive Areca Palm, don’t confuse the two – the Kentia has a much lower light requirement, will last longer, and it is much more majestic in character.  If this plant is added to your favorite room, you will not be disappointed.

Kentia Palms are grown in Florida and Hawaii.  There is some size variation, but the main difference is Florida-grown palms are in “traditional” soil while Hawaiian palms are grown in lava-rock based soil.

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Plantz Profile

Check out this video to learn more about the Kentia Palm from our plant specialists.

Read below for more information on caring for your new plant.

Description

If you want to make a tropical statement, with long-lasting and (nearly) care-free features, the Kentia Palm will deliver for you.  Here are some helpful hints on keeping your Kentia in great shape for years to come:

Watering

Our Kentia Palms come from top growers in both Florida and Hawaii and the soils differ considerably in their water-holding capacity.  Florida soils hold more water, while lava-rock Hawaiian soils drain more readily.  Regardless, the plants share the same characteristic – they like an evenly moist rootzone.  The Kentia should be watered thoroughly, around the entire soil surface, and not watered again until the soil feels dry – you’ll want a soil probe to help you determine relative soil moisture.    The Hawaiian soils are a different, and sometimes hard to probe, but it’s the best soil for plant owners that tend to over-water because there’s so much air space between the small particles of lava rock (cinder).  Please check out our watering guide for more information.

Light

While this palm has strong tolerance for lower light levels, much better than most palms, it will thrive in moderate and high light.  So, good filtered natural light or bright fluorescent light will keep this palm growing strong.

Nutrition

Like other plants right out of nursery production, you won’t need to feed this palm for at least 6 months after you get it.  That’s because there is residual nutrients in the soil from when the palm was being propagated.  After 6 months, it can be fed quarterly with a complete fertilizer formulated for interior plants.  Please refer to our plant nutrition guide for details.

Cleaning

An occasional wipe down with a damp cloth will keep your Kentia looking good.  That’s it.

Pruning

The older leaves on the Kentia Palm may turn yellow and brown.  So sweat…just prune off the leaf as close to the stem as possible.

Bugs

The biggest bug problem for this palm is scale.  They’ll show up as little brown bumps on the underside of the leaves and can be wiped off.  Because scale insects form a waxy proactive coating over their bodies, you will need to apply a little more pressure to dislodge the little boogers from their happy little spot on the underside of the leaves.

Trouble

Give it a little light and occasional water, and you should be in pretty good shape.

Additional information

Weight 20 lbs
Dimensions 10 × 10 × 52 in
Size

5-6' (in 12" growpot), 3-4' (in 10" growpot), 3-4' (in 8" growpot), 2-3' (in 8" growpot), 3.5-4.5' (in 10" growpot-H), 3-4' (in 10" growpot-H)

105 reviews for Kentia Palm

4.9
Based on 105 reviews
Showing 1 of 105 reviews (2 star). See all 105 reviews
  1. Sami Khader (verified owner)

    The plant was beautiful but was damaged during the shipping. Sue was very helpful when I informed her about it and provided a partial refund. But as for the plant it still needs to recover from its hard travel, its still very droopy and bent from places.

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