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Howea forsteriana (Sentry palm)

Other names: Flat palm , Forster sentry palm , Kentia palm , Paradise palm , Thatch-leaf palm, Kentia forsteriana

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Species
H. forsteriana is a slow growing, upright, single-stemmed, evergreen palm with arching, pinnate, dark green leaves divided into numerous narrowly lance-shaped, semi-glossy leaflets. Clustered spikes of star-shaped, green female flowers and pale brown male flowers in summer are followed by orange-red fruit.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
10 m 4 m 20-50 years
32 ft 13 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with equal amounts of added leaf mould and composted bark. Site in full light with shade from hot sun. Maintain moderate humidity. In growth, water moderately and feed monthly. Flowers are rarely produced when grown under glass.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Architectural, Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Conservatory, Foliage only

UK hardiness

H1a

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

H2, H1, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Inappropriate
Central Valley = Inappropriate
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Multi-stemmed palm, cycad or tree

Native to

Lord Howe Island

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent foliage if desired.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed at 26C (79F) when ripe.

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

Scale insects

Thrips

Diseases

False smut

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Apply a fertiliser container grown plants regularly

Requires little or no pruning (winter)

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (2)

Howea

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Howea forsteriana
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Howea forsteriana Sentry palm
Howea belmoreana
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Howea belmoreana Belmore sentry palm
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Companion plants (0)

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