Kentia Palm
The elegant, arching palm of grand hotels and Victorian conservatories. Pet-safe, slow-growing and tolerant of lower light and dry air, it is the most forgiving of the tall palms and priced accordingly.
The kentia is the palm to buy if you want a tall one and you want it to last. It grows slowly from a single island off Australia and has furnished hotel lobbies since Queen Victoria, because it tolerates the low light and dry air that kill most palms.
It is expensive because it is slow. A six-foot kentia is a decade old. Buy the size you want and it will still look right in twenty years.
Light
Medium indirect light. A north or east window, or a few feet back from a south one. It tolerates low light better than any other tall palm. Direct sun scorches the fronds.
Water
Water when the top two inches are dry, every eight days or so in summer and every two weeks in winter. It dislikes wet feet. Filtered water helps with tip browning.
Soil and potting
A well-draining mix. It grows slowly and prefers a snug pot; repot every three years or so, carefully. It resents root disturbance.
Feeding
A half-strength palm feed every eight weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation
Seed only, and slow. Buy plants.
In a hot, dry home
The most dry-air-tolerant tall palm and a good choice here. Keep it out of the direct blast of a vent and out of hot sun through glass. Mist or shower occasionally to keep spider mites off in summer.
Problems and fixes
Brown frond tips
Likely cause: Dry air or tap water
Fix: Filtered water; trim tips. Some browning on old fronds is normal.
Yellowing fronds
Likely cause: Too much sun, or overwatering
Fix: Move out of direct light; let the soil dry more.
Fine webbing
Likely cause: Spider mites
Fix: Shower the fronds and treat with insecticidal soap.
Kentia Palm questions
Is the kentia palm safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. It is non-toxic to pets.
Why are kentia palms so expensive?
They grow slowly from seed, and a tall plant is many years old. You are paying for the years.
How much light does a kentia palm need?
Medium indirect light. It tolerates low light better than any other tall palm and dislikes direct sun.
