Kentia Palm: Australia's Native Palm

A highly versatile palm that can be grown indoors or outdoors, Kentia palms tolerate low light and infrequent watering. A member of the larger Arecaceae family, Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) hail from Australia’s Lord Howe Island and can also be found growing extensively on Norfolk Island. Gaining popularity as a houseplant in the 1870’s in both Europe and North America, Queen Victoria was so besotted with this stately palm that she left instructions that her coffin was to be bedecked by their fronds as she lay in state. Grown by seed that was hard to source, the Kentia palm was seen as a status symbol which added prestige to many well to do Victorian households. This was echoed in their inclusion on the much-fated RMS Titanic where some unfortunate palms were installed in the first-class areas, sadly also going down with the ship. 

Able to tolerate short periods of sub-zero temperatures, Kentia palms will grow successfully in most areas of Australia, although they prefer warm temperate and sub-tropical climates where the average minimum temperature is around 10oC. Growing to 10m at maturity in their native climate, their slow growth rate makes them highly suitable for most gardens.  

Their ability to thrive under low light and humidity has made them one of our most popular native plants for use indoors, although they will always be more successful if given some time outdoors when conditions are right. Select a position outside in part sun and give potted plants a holiday outdoors at least one weekend a month during the warmer seasons. This spell outside allows you to hose the dust off the foliage, apply a half strength liquid fertiliser and offers the Kentia a chance to enjoy a bit more breeze. Increased air-flow is a great way to deter scale insect infestations that can be common in a wide range of houseplants that spend too much time inside. If you do notice the start of a scale attack, drench the whole plant with a horticultural oil, and repeat again two weeks later to treat any remaining pests.    

A popular choice for gardeners wanting to bring some greenery inside, plant in a dish while small, upscaling to a large bowl or pot as your palm grows.