Howea forsteriana

RHS Plant Profile
sentry palm

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sentry palm RHS 2002
sentry palm Dorling Kindersley Ltd
sentry palm Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

flat palm, Forster sentry palm, kentia palm, paradise palm, thatch-leaf palm

Synonyms

Kentia forsteriana

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A single-stemmed evergreen palm to 2m in height, with dark green leaves to 1.5m in length, pinnately divided into several narrow segments. Flowers seldom produced under glass

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost with equal parts added of composted bark and leaf mould, in bright light but with protection from the sun. Water moderately and provide moderate humidity when in growth and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly during the summer. Water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at not less than 19°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free