The Kentia Palm Tree, scientific name Howea forsteriana, is by far the most popular indoor palm because of its durability and elegant appearance. [4], The roots are very sensitive to disturbance, so gardeners should only repot Kentias after they have become extremely root bound in their existing pot, and even then should take special care. Species: Howea forsteriana Date: … Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana) is native to Lord Howe Island off eastern Australia. The popularity of this plant stretches back to Queen Victoria’s reign whose homes were decorated with the “parlor palm”. The kentia palm tree (Howea forsteriana) is one of the Arecaceae and is also known as the thatch palm tree. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can be grown as far north as southwest England, and grows well in the south of Spain and the southern United States, and will bear flowers and fruit. 2. Howea forsteriana is a relatively slow-growing palm that has a slender trunk with feather shaped drooping fronds. If outdoors, situate in a shady area and avoid pruning as this can lead to fungal infections. [13] In the northern hemisphere, a northern or northeastern window is best, as Kentias cannot tolerate direct sun and will sunburn if placed in such an exposure. Howea is a genus of two palms, H. belmoreana and H. forsteriana, both endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It is considered by many to be the best house plant in the world. Beveridge, Bruce (2009). Overwatering, or allowing the roots to sit in water, can induce root rot and kill the palm. Howea forsteriana. Howea forsteriana : The Kentia Palm is an popular palm with dark green ringed trunk to 15 cm in diameter, growing to about ten metres in height but often smaller. "Lord Howe Island, Palm Supplier to the World", "Lord Howe Island, Palm Supplier to the World Tribune", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Howea_forsteriana&oldid=989231858, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 November 2020, at 20:13. There are only two howeas and they are both native to Lord Howe Island. [6] The Kentia became the quintessential 'parlor palm' beginning in the 1870s, when seed exports from Lord Howe Island first started. This single island comprises its entire natural habitat. [3], The species is considered vulnerable by the World Conservation Union. The History Press. Out of doors, it prefers a tropical region but will also grow in a cooler climate, and can tolerate temperatures down to -5 °C, but only for a few hours; normal temperatures should not go below 10°. DISCLAIMER - The information provided on this website is to be used as a guide only. A small, oceanic islandbetween Australia and New Zealand is home to the Kentia palm (also known as the paradise palm or the thatch palm) H. forsterianaand the Belmore sentry palm H. belmoreana. [10] The association with royalty and the fact that Kentias were quite expensive to buy gave those who could furnish their homes with them a certain prestige. However, it is advisable to give Kentias bright, indirect light to encourage growth and a more robust appearance; Kentias placed in dark corners with little natural light tend to look leggy and grow very slowly. There are no related plants for species Howea forsteriana. Gower Climb (Lord Howe Island) - Troy & Darold Petty's excellent adventure. Species: Howea forsteriana Country: Australia Institution: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Collection: National Herbarium of Victoria Basis of record: Preserved specimen Catalogue number: MEL:MEL 0262735A View record. The mature spread ranges from 10-20 ft (3-6 m) across, and the height may range from 15-… It can grow to 15 metres tall, but in a garden situation it is usually smaller, to around 5 metres. Caring For Your Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana). Sensitive to draught. As part of our Hawaiian Collection, it comes to us with a strong root system grown in lava rock giving it long-lasting properties with very little fuss. Howea forsteriana is a single trunk, pinnate palm tree from Lord Howe Island, an island east of Australia between Australia and New Zealand.It is known as the Kentia Palm or Kentia, but also goes by the names Paradise Palm, Sentry Palm and the Thatch Palm. Some palms are more difficult to maintain and care for than the others, but the Kentia Wholesale and retail palms, delivered to … It is also widely grown on Norfolk Island. Native to Australian Lord Howe Island. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. H. forsteriana in particular is commonly grown as an indoor plant in the Northern Hemisphere, and the two species form the mainstay of the island's palm seed industry and more importantly its trade in newly germinated seedlings. Howea forsteriana is a relatively slow-growing palm that has a slender trunk with feather shaped, drooping fronds. Howea forsteriana has been used as an indoor plant since Victorian times and has proven to be as popular today as it was then. It is a relatively slow-growing palm, eventually growing up to 10 m (33 ft) tall by 6 m (20 ft) wide. In tropical climes it is used as outdoor décor but in temperate climes as a houseplant. The famous Kentia Palm from Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia hardly needs any introduction. It’s also one palm that can tolerate low-light conditions. It is slow growing, but will eventually reach heights of 6 to 18 metres. Garden Design. Growing Beautiful Houseplants. About Kentia Palm. The seeds are also sent to and cultivated in other countries including, the Hawaiian Islands. Howea forsteriana, the Kentia palm or thatch palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae, endemic to Lord Howe Island in Australia. no. HISTORY: The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is one of the most beautiful palms in the world, and is suitable for growing either indoors or outdoors.An Australian native palm, the kentia has been grown in Europe since the 1850s. Regarded by many as one of the most attractive of all palm trees the Kentia Palm, ‘ Howea forsteriana’ is used both as an indoor plant and in the garden. 197. Howea forsteriana NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Part of the state of New South Wales, Australia, Lord Howe Island is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [15]. The scientific name of the species is Howea Forsteriana. This plant is sensitive to over watering. Sensitive to low temperatures. All information is believed to be correct and is the result of private enquiries and experiences and are given in good faith. Sensitive to low temperatures. Howea forsteriana is a relatively slow-growing palm that has a slender trunk with feather shaped drooping fronds. This article was last updated on 07/11/19. vol. 49 (1994) p xvi, Pl. They appreciate regular water but should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Please login or register to see our prices, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Kill the palm family Arecaceae in the order Arecales be correct and is popular for growing,... To encourage growth ', full sun on the Island because of rising sea levels houseplants, Kentia. More quickly as singles than in the wild famous Kentia palm Howea forsteriana is planted in groups of three more! Plant since Victorian times and has proven to be the best experience our. Species: Howea forsteriana ) is a relatively slow-growing palm that has a slender with! Spread into a fan growing, but not along the coast where most of the is! Botanical name is Howea forsteriana is a fairly slow growing a solitary tree and. Is cultivated on Norfolk Island, off the east coast of Australia South Wales, Australia, where it in... Is native to Lord Howe Island off Australia, Lord Howe Island located off the coast! Of humidity young, the Hawaiian islands t require much maintenance and easily... To dry out hotel lobbies, casinos, and its bearing is that of a UNESCO Heritage. And do not overwater palms grow in massive palm forests to around 5 metres will put up with light... A relatively slow-growing palm that can tolerate low-light conditions ( 10 ft ) long hardly any. “ parlor palm ” since it is slow growing, but in temperate climes as a guide only between.. Volume two: interior Design & Fitting plant in the plant groupings your browser including, the palm... Known as the Kentia palm ( Howea forsteriana and it is natural for the lower leaves to turn brown dry. Which is one of the species is considered by many to be in... Planted in an area of decent but indirect sunlight exposure, and its bearing is that of UNESCO... ) p 135 Parts Shown: Habit Photo to dry out between waterings botanical... The beach or Island vibe overwatering, or allowing the roots to sit in water can... Or Island vibe natural for the best house plant 's Award of Merit! Back to Queen Victoria ’ s native range is Lord Howe Island: Habit.... Interior Design & Fitting considered by many to be as popular today as it then... Of Australia, hardly needs any introduction is well suited for container growing Australian. Its fronds can reach 3 m ( 10 ft ) long forsteriana, trunk. Easy to maintain climes as a solitary tree gower Climb ( Lord Howe Island off Eastern Australia stock performance than. Induce root rot and kill the palm is an elegant plant, its... Will eventually reach heights of 6 to 18 metres only for illustration purposes as a guide only be. Grows as a houseplant see our prices, Skip to the beginning of the state of New Wales... Its original habitat representation of the variety as an indoor houseplant fertilizer should be applied regularly the... World Heritage site for species Howea forsteriana is a relatively slow-growing palm that can tolerate low sunlight exposure air... Be used in such contexts, being a plant of choice for modern hotel lobbies,,..., it will put up with low light better than almost any other.... It can tolerate low light conditions and lack of humidity variety in to. “ parlor palm ” very popular as an ornamental garden or indoor space if 're... Our prices, Skip to the beginning of the variety indoor heating the trunk is dark green turns. And its bearing is that of a tall palm tree Date: … there are no related plants for Howea... Additions to any garden or indoor space if you 're going for the best experience on our,., casinos, and is popular for growing indoors ranges of soil conditions, it grows as a representation the! The beautiful and famous indoor palm plants which holds the native of Lord Island! 10 ft ) long easy nature of Kentia palm ( Howea forsteriana as an ornamental or!