Kentia (Howea Forsteriana)

Pot: 24cm Height: 140cm

Water
The kentia palm prefers to be well-hydrated, but never soggy. Water your kentia palm weekly in the spring and summer, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. During the fall and winter months, you can likely slow your watering cadence down a bit, but look to your plant as an indication. If you notice yellowing leaves, that can signal too much water and/or root rot. Likewise, brown tips on the plant's fronds can be a good indication that the palm needs more water.

Temperature and Humidity
Like any tropical, the kentia palm prefers warmer temperatures and lots of humidity. Though it's hardier than most other palms and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit, it will always perform better if its home maintains an environment of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, the kentia palm can benefit from added humidity, so plan to spray the leaves lightly at least once a week. If you have a particularly dry home, you can also increase the plant's humidity by placing its container on a bed of wet rocks.

Fertilizer
Fertilize your kentia palm monthly, but only in the spring and summer, with liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets (a specially-formulated palm fertilizer is preferable). If you fertilize it too much, you may see the tips of the lower leaves turn brown.

Kentia palms are also prone to potassium deficiencies, which can reveal itself as necrosis on the tips of the oldest leaves first. In order to ensure your palm gets enough nutrients, it's recommended that you also feed it with a control release potassium supplement.