Kentia Palms

Lord Howe Island’s greatest export to the world is the Kentia Palm, which over there is called thatch palm as it is used for thatching. Kentia palms (Howeaforsteriana) were sent to Europe from the 1870s, and now they are popular the world round due to their hardiness and adaptability. Their dark green, elegant foliage and graceful, arching fronds made it perfect for interiors.  They live happily in pots for many, many years, and are great for providing a canopy in shady gardens.  Indoors, it is the best pick of palms to cope with low light positions, though will do best if spelled outside in the shade to recover. 

Keep the palm fronds clean and wipe down any dust.  Allow them to dry out slightly over winter, then up the water and fertilise regularly as the temperatures increase.  Sometimes mealy bugs, scale and red spider (two spotted mites) can cause problems indoors, but a non-toxic Eco oil spray used occasionally can help rid you of problems, as well as a good hose down outside.

When you need to repot your palm, we recommend using Eden Garden’s Premium Mix.

 

By: Meredith Kirton