Howea

( HOW - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This small genus of palms includes species which need partial shade and regular water to perform well. These trees are commonly called Kentia Palms, and are slow-growing, tropical additions to gardens. They are native to Australia's Lord Howe Island (hence the botanical name Howea), and are commonly grown as houseplants. Outdoors, they are picturesque feather palms with clean, green trunks ringed with leaf scars. They can also be grown in pots outdoors, if desired, to add a tropical feel to patios, walkways, and pool areas. Plant Kentia Palms along driveways or entrances, around pools or patio areas, or as part of mixed beds or borders.

howea Species and Varietals

The genus Howea includes just two species, and is a member of the plant family Arecaceae. Kentia Palms grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11 or Sunset growing zones 17, 21-24, H1 and H2, or grown indoors as a houseplant. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Howea belmoreana (Kentia belmoreana) (Sentry Palm, Curly Palm, Belmore Sentry Palm, Belmore Palm, Umbrella Palm)
This species produces palms that reach up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with 6 to 7-foot long fronds that form its canopy, which at maturity has around 36 leaves. This species is less commonly grown than Howea forsteriana. It is endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia, where it prefers to grow in volcanic soils. Commonly kept as a houseplant.

Howea forsteriana (Paradise Palm, Thatch Palm, Palm Court Palm, Kentia Palm, Forster Sentry Palm)
This relatively slow-growing species reaches 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with 9 foot long leaves that have a drooping habit. The species is named for Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster, a father and son who accompanied the famous Captain Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific. This species has invasive potential in subtropical regions such as Hawai'i.

Caring for Howea

These palms are typically grown indoors in areas of the world that are not tropical, but they can do well outdoors in the right conditions. These palms prefer partial shade to filtered sunlight when grown outdoors, especially if they are in a warm climate. They can tolerate full sun, but will need some protection from harsh afternoon rays, especially during the warmer months. Foliage on these palms is susceptible to sunburn if they are exposed to too much direct sun. These trees do well in soil that is well-draining but retains some moisture; loamy or sandy soils are ideal. If local soils are heavy or clayey, make sure to amend the planting site with plenty of sand and organic material to increase drainage and improve soil structure. These palms prefer a soil pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. Apply a thick layer of mulch around plantings to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperatures. After planting, make sure young trees receive regular waterings to help them establish a strong, healthy root system. Mature trees should be deep watered to encourage a root system that stretches farther down into the soil. Avoid overwatering these plants, as they do not like to have wet feet, and will develop root rot issues.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Avoid fertilizing these palms with synthetic fertilizers, as this can cause a buildup of salts in the soil which will damage the tree. These palms don't require much pruning except to remove spent fronds as they turn brown to approve the plant's appearance. Avoid cutting into healthy fronds, as this can harm them and reduce the tree's overall health. Howea trees are long-lived, able to survive in the landscape for 50 to 100 years before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Howea in Containers
These palms are happy in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, especially in zones where these trees cannot remain outdoors during the cooler months of the year. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Howea trees grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Howea Indoors
These trees are well-known as greenhouse and houseplants, and are typically best grown indoors in cooler climates. When grown indoors in containers, these palms typically reach a maximum of 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide. They can put on about 8 inches of growth each year. Place in an area that receives bright, indirect sunlight. They should stay out of direct sunlight, even coming through windows, as this type of exposure can cause leaves to sunburn. Make sure soil substrate is well-draining; potting soil amended with plenty of perlite can do the trick, or there are also palm and succulent substrates that can be purchased at garden centers, as well. Ensure that containers have functional drainage holes. Water regularly and reduce waterings in fall and winter when trees are dormant. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in springtime to support the season's growth. Keep these palms away from drafty or cold areas of the home; they thrive in warm, humid environments, and appreciate an occasional misting with a spray bottle. Remove dead or dying leaves as they fade, and keep green ones clean to maximize photosynthesis. Indoors, these palms can survive for between 15 and 25 years before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Howea is best propagated from seed. They grow rather slowly, and take a long time (approximately 15 years) to reach a mature age when they begin producing viable seeds. These palms do not produce offshoots that can be propagated through division, and only produce new leaves from the top of the trunk. To propagate your palm tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Howea by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Seeds of Kentia Palms are produced within fruits. They are harvested when they turn from a dull orange color to a deep red. They are produced from summertime to early wintertime, depending on the climate in which the trees are grown. Remove fruits from their attachments (or pick them off the ground once they have been released), and cut them open to remove the seeds. There is one seed inside each drupe fruit. Remove the fleshy covering and rinse off any flesh.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between a few weeks to over a year from sowing (be patient!). Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Howea palms produce fruits that contain seeds.

Howea seeds are typically brown and shaped a bit like an Almond.

Problems and Pests

Certain Howea species are considered potentially invasive in some subtropical regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Howea palm trees are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases: