Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm

• Council or Civic Landscapes

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm works in an:

• Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
• Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
• Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
• Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height: 3–6 metres (smaller in pots)

Mature Width: 2–3 metres

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm is expected to grow 10 – 30 cm per year (slow–moderate).

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm is expected to grow 10 – 30 cm per year (slow–moderate).

They are considered to have a:

• Slow Growth Rate
• Medium Growth Rate

Is Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm frost tolerant?

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

• Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
• Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
• Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
• Sydney & Central Coast
• South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
• Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
• Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
• Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
• Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
• Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Howea forsteriana produces slender cream-coloured flower spikes in late spring to early summer. These arching inflorescences emerge gracefully from within the crown and develop into ornamental seed clusters, offering subtle seasonal interest against the elegant feathered fronds.

Does Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm flower?

• Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

• Summer

Flower Type:

• Clustered

Flower Colour:

Cream

Yes

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm is Native to Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of Australia, where it grows naturally as an understory palm in subtropical forests.

Its flowers attract small pollinating insects, while the dense canopy of arching fronds provides excellent shelter, shade and roosting habitat for small birds. The fibrous leaf bases and trunk also support insects and microfauna that contribute to biodiversity in subtropical and coastal gardens.

Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm will thrive best in:

• Part Shade
• Full Shade

Howea forsteriana performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse sand to boost drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the palm matures to support strong root health, frond quality and long-term resilience.

Is Howea forsteriana – Kentia Palm Drought tolerant?

As a young palm it requires regular watering, and once established the Kentia Palm develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with consistent moisture, especially during hot or dry weather, but can handle short dry spells with deep, occasional watering to maintain lush, healthy fronds.