Kentia Palm Care
Common Name: Kentia Palm, Sentry Palm, Thatch Leaf Palm
Scientific Name: Howeia Forsteriana
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Moderate
The Kentia Palm is characterized by a series of arching feather-shaped fronds radiating from small trunks in a dark green color. Kentia Palms are slow growers so do not expect mass growth. On the other end, they are very durable house plants and therefore can be enjoyed for many years.
Kentia (Sentry, Thatch Leaf) Palms are not tolerable to severe dryness or continual over watering. They prefer to be moist much of the time, however do allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. If frond tips are turning brown and the fronds are droopy, you are probably not watering the plant enough. On the opposite side, if the leaf tips are yellowing then becoming brown, chances are you are over watering the palm. The Kentia, like many palms, is extremely sensitive to chemicals in the water. Therefore be sure to use untreated water for this house plant and all your palms.
The Kentia palm prefers bright, indirect light but will also tolerate lower light levels. In lower light levels the plant's appearance will seem fine; however it just won't quite have the healthy look preferred. If you notice spotting on the upper fronds, the plant may be getting too much bright light, so try and move it to an area with a lower amount of direct sunlight.
Pests are usually not a problem with this house plant. Spider mites may appear. If so, try my home remedy that really hasn't failed me, of spraying the plant twice a day with a soapy dishwater mixture. If that does not work, go to your local gardening center and they can instruct you on which product to use.
Please share you tips on this common houseplant!!
Labels: palms
posted by drayas @ 10:57 AM
6 Comments:
we recently got a kentia palm and this post was quite helpful in taking care of the plant.
I'm glad you found the site helpful. I am trying to get more pictures for the website so its easier to identify what plant you need information on.
Thanks,
drayas
Very Very Helpfull, Thanks For the Information
I was told by a nursery farmer to add vinegar to soapy water when mixing a nonchemical spray for mites, white flys, etc. I add a couple of jiggers of apple vinegar to a standard spray bottle of semi-soapy water. I find that this mixture seems to work faster than the plain soapy water.
I just recently bought a Kentia palm but there are black spots/streaks all over the bases of the fronds and all along the stems. The black spots/streaks are also on the brown shell. Along with this the fronds are brown and dried at the tips and are drooping. I water it every 4-7 days depending on the top 2 inches of recommended dryness. Its close to the patio door with a good amount of indirect light. Is there anything i can do to help make it healthier??
just_me,
Well there are a couple possibilities. I would use trial and error. Try changing one of the below things and see if improvement. If not, try the next.
1) Sometimes when the frond tips turn brown and the fronds are droopy, the plant may not be receiving enough water. These plants like a lot of water, so try providing one extra watering in your normal schedule. If within a week you don't see improvement try the next.
2) Spotting on the fronds can sometimes be caused by the palm getting too much bright light. Try moving it to an area with a lower amount of direct sunlight.
3) Lastly, the plant may be infested with some type of pest. Spray the plant twice a day with a soapy dishwater mixture. This will usually take care of the pests.
Please keep me informed and let me know if any of these ideas work.
Thank you,
drayas
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