One of the most used indoor plants is the kentia palm tree. It is a plant that stands out for its ease of adapting both indoors and outdoors, which means that it can be used in both spaces without any problem. In fact, being a tree, the most common would be to find it in outdoor spaces and with good lighting. However, because it adapts surprisingly well to indoor spaces, as long as proper care is taken, it is one of the trees that will offer the best results when located in closed spaces. If you want to know the main characteristics and care of the kentia palm tree
, keep reading and we will show you with this practical guide .Characteristics of the kentia plant
The Kentia palm , whose scientific name is Howea forsteriana , is an original palm from Lord Howe Island, eastern Australia. It is a tree that grows in the shape of a palm, from whose trunk from 3 to 10 palms can sprout, each one with its respective leaves. It is a very slow growing plant. It prefers soils rich in organic matter and well drained, although it must also be said that it is a tree that adapts quite well to most soils, which means that it can be found in most places on the planet.
In fact, although it prefers temperate temperatures between 14 and 25 degrees Celsius, it can tolerate frosts that are not very strong, reaching up to -4 degrees Celsius for short periods of time. On the other hand, it is a plant that has a small, reddish fruit, with an appearance and size similar to that of an average chicken egg. Although it is a plant that enjoys exposure to the sun, it is also well suited to environments dark, which makes it a perfectly viable option when placing indoors, especially if you want houseplant large, which often present more problems precisely because of the lack or little light in closed spaces.
Kentia palm tree care – practical guide
The care of the kentia palm or H owea forsteriana , will refer mainly to the situations in which the plant is indoors.
Irrigation
When kentia is planted directly in the ground, the most common is that care has to be limited to appropriate watering, and only in areas where it does not rain frequently. In fact, one of the things to keep in mind regarding kentia palm tree care is that it does not tolerate excess water well. Whether it is indoor or outdoor palm trees , it is best to give only 1 or 2 times a week in summer. Being able to do it 1 or 2 times a month in winter. However, if the kentia is planted in a pot in a heated interior, we will have to adapt the irrigation to 1 or 2 times a week. In addition, it is essential to avoid excess water, as it could rot its roots.
Humidity
Likewise, especially in summer and in spaces with low humidity due to heating, it is important to moisten the leaves with a water spray. If possible, it is recommended to do it once a day or, if not, at least once a week.
illumination
Regarding lighting, it is a plant that tolerates the lack of light well, although if it is indoors it is better to place it near a window or light source. Likewise, if it is a young specimen, it is important to avoid direct sunlight until it is at least five years old, as its leaves could easily burn.
Kentia palm tree diseases
One of the most important aspects regarding the care of the kentia palm or Howea forsteriana is related to the diseases that it can suffer. In this sense, it is essential to avoid excess water in the soil or substrate, since it can cause the appearance of fungi, such as powdery mildew, with great ease. To do this, the correct thing to do is to water it when the soil is dry and always avoid excess water accumulating in the pot plate. Likewise, it is also advisable to apply a natural fungicide to the soil once a year.
Other diseases that usually attack the kentia palm are the cottony mealybug and the spider mite , which are by far the most common pests of this type of plant. They usually make their appearance especially during the warm periods of the year, so it is convenient to be attentive to any symptoms that may betray their presence.
