Howea forsteriania F. Muell., Becc., 1877

Common name(s): Kentia Palm, Thatch Palm, Court Palm, Parlor Palm, Sentry Palm

Family: Arecaceae Synonym(s): Kentia forsteriana F. Muell., Kentia australis T. Moore & Mast., Howeia forsterianan C. Moore & F. Muell., Becc., Grisebachia forsteriana F. Muell., H. Wendl. & Drude, Denea forsteriana F. Muell., O.F. Cook
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 15th October, 2019 at Sydney Botanic Gardens, New South Wales
Stem_lower
Stem (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Frond_back
Frond (Back)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Palm / Palm Ally Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: LH
Plant Type
Frond Self Cleaning, Palm Feather-leaved, Solitary
Frond Self Cleaning,
Palm Feather-leaved,
Solitary
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Tropical-Sub
Tropical-Sub
Climate Range(s) - Tolerance
Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light,
Shade - Medium
Mature Height
9-10m
9-10m
Mature Width
5-6m
5-6m
Growth Rate
Slow
Slow
Plant Shape
Standard Crown - Open
Standard Crown - Open
Standard Crown - Open Standard Crown - Open
Life Span
100-150yrs
100-150yrs
Maturity
20-25 yrs., 25-30 yrs, 30-35 yrs., 35-40 yrs., 40-45 yrs, 45-50 yrs.
20-25 yrs.,
25-30 yrs,
30-35 yrs.,
35-40 yrs.,
40-45 yrs,
45-50 yrs.
Frond Properties
Frond Colour(s) (front)
Green Dark
Green Dark
Frond Colour(s) (back)
Green
Green
Frond Texture (front)
Leathery
Leathery
Leathery Leathery
Frond Texture (back)
Leathery
Leathery
Leathery Leathery
Frond Length
2.75-3m
2.75-3m
Frond Aroma
None
None
Frond Shapes
Pinnate / Parapinnate
Pinnate / Parapinnate
Pinnate / Parapinnate Pinnate / Parapinnate
Frond Arrangement
Stemmed Open Crown
Stemmed Open Crown
Stemmed Open Crown Stemmed Open Crown
Trunk / Stem Properties
Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)
Green-grey
Green-grey
Colour(s) (Base)
Grey, Grey-green
Grey,
Grey-green
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Male
Flowering Time (start)
Winter Late
Winter Late
Flowering Time (end)
Spring Mid
Spring Mid
Colour(s)
Cream-brown
Cream-brown
Arrangements
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Spike
Spike
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar,
Spike Spike
Arrangement Shape
Pendulous , Spike , Spikelets 3-4 , Spikelets 4-5 , Spikelets 5-6 , Spikelets 6-7 , Spikelets 7-8
Pendulous,
Spike,
Spikelets 3-4,
Spikelets 4-5,
Spikelets 5-6,
Spikelets 6-7,
Spikelets 7-8
Pollinator(s)
Bees
Bees
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Same Flower Head
On Same Flower Head
Gender: Female
Flowering Time (start)
Winter Late
Winter Late
Flowering Time (end)
Spring Mid
Spring Mid
Colour(s)
White
White
Pollinator(s)
Bees
Bees
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Same Flower Head
On Same Flower Head
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Drupe
Drupe
Drupe Drupe
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid
Length
30-40mm, 40-50mm
30-40mm,
40-50mm
Aroma
Fruity-Slight
Fruity-Slight
Fruit Ripening
3 yrs., 4 yrs.
3 yrs.,
4 yrs.
Maturation for Fruiting
6 yrs., 7 yrs., 8 yrs., 9 yrs., 10 yrs.
6 yrs.,
7 yrs.,
8 yrs.,
9 yrs.,
10 yrs.
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter, Premium Potting Mix
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter,
Premium Potting Mix
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition(s)
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Moist-Dry
Moist-Dry
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist,
Moist-Dry Moist-Dry
Fertile , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Waterlogging Class
None
None
Watering Requirements
WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering, WR11 - periodic misting to maintain humidity
WR3 - never let soil dry out,
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering,
WR11 - periodic misting to maintain humidity
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Poor
Poor
Bird Attraction
Habitat
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
Poor
Poor
Coastal
1st Line
1st Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Very Good
Very Good
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Architectural, Garden-Modern, Garden-Shade, Garden-Bali, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Formal, Garden-Indoors, Garden-Informal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Interesting Trunk, Litter Issue - Fruit, Pool Side, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares
Garden-Architectural,
Garden-Modern,
Garden-Shade,
Garden-Bali,
Garden-Australian Native,
Garden-Courtyard,
Garden-Foliage,
Garden-Formal,
Garden-Indoors,
Garden-Informal,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Interesting Trunk,
Litter Issue - Fruit,
Pool Side,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Moist,
Specimen,
Sunny Moist,
Tolerant-Deer,
Tolerant-Kangaroo's,
Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares
Humidity Requirements
Medium, High
Medium,
High
Altitude Range - Tolerance
0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m
0-100m,
100-200m,
200-300m,
300-400m,
400-500m,
500-600m,
600-700m,
700-800m
Fertilising Requirements
FR3, FR5, FR6, FR11
FR3,
FR5,
FR6,
FR11
Wind Tolerance
Moderate Winds
Moderate Winds

General Notes

An elegant solitary palm, often used as a house plant, considered to be one of the most beautiful palms in the world. Tolerant of low light and poor treatment. Often planted in pots as a group but it really is a solitary palm.

The Kentia palm has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit