Howea belmoreana

RHS Plant Profile
Belmore sentry palm
Belmore sentry palm RHS 1999

Other common names

curly palm

Synonyms

Kentia belmoreana

Palms

A medium-sized palm with ringed trunk and arching pinnate leaves to 2m long with slender pinnae; pendant pale brown male flowers and green female flowers appear in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Arecaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Howea are evergreen palms with solitary stems bearing large, long-stalked, pinnate leaves composed of linear segments; with small star-shaped flowers borne in pendulous axillary clusters of spikes, followed by small oval fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Lord Howe Island, Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with equal parts pulverised bark and leaf mould, in full light. Provide moderate humidity and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser. Water sparingly in winter and top dress or pot on in spring. Repotting will not need to be done often, as it is a slow growing plant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 26°C (76°F) as soon as it is ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Coastal

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free