Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm)

There are only two howeas and they are both native to Lord Howe Island. The Kentia Palm is calledThatch Palm on the island because of its use in this way.

Kentia Palms were the iconic parlour palms of the Victorian era. They are very graceful plants with asingle, smooth trunk and feathery fronds on long, smooth stalks. The flowers are small and fleshyand are borne on long arching spikes which grow up under the fronds and mature as small red fruit.

They were named after a father and son, Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster, naturalistswho sailed on Cooks second voyage to the Pacific. The Forsters got the opportunity to sail with Cookafter Joseph Banks withdrew from the expedition.

Growing conditionsKentia palms are long lived plants. They tolerate low light, dry atmosphere and draughts theperfect indoor plant!

Spraying with warm water may prevent the tips of the leaves from browning. They prefer a stabletemperature and a minimum of 10C. If the light is poor it is best not to have them in too warm anenvironment.

They should not be in bright sunlight. Kentia palms may be kept in the same pot for years as long asthe potting mix contains some humus and is well drained.

Pest and disease problemsThey are susceptible to Mealybugs, mites and Scale. Wolverton (see information sources) gives arecipe for a non-toxic spray:

2 teaspoons (10ml) vegetable oil1/8 teaspoon (0.6ml) washing up liquid

230ml warm tap waterShake vigorously in a spray bottle and spray the leaves.

Kentia Palm may succumb to Phytophthora in low light and very moist conditions.

Kentia Palm grows into a substantial palm in the right conditions. This image is courtesy ofwww.justpalmtrees.com, a US company that buys unwanted palms from homeowners (not inAustralia!)Information sources::500 Popular Indoor Plants for Australian Gardeners, 1999 Random House.Wolverton, B C, 1996, Eco-friendly House Plants, Orion Publishing.