Complete guide to kentia palm care

If you’re looking for a stylish plant with high impact, a kentia palm is a great option. We call ours Big Ken and he oozes class; in fact, kentia palms were Queen Victoria's favourite, don't you know.

Keep your kentia palm happy by:

• Only watering when the top two inches of soil feel dry 
• Putting it in a room that gets a lot of light. Harsh sun is a bit much, so ideally not right next to a window
• Misting your kentia palm's fronds a few times a week

Kentia palms are incredibly popular houseplants - in fact, they have been for years. The Victorians were big fans, and they were even used for decoration on The Titanic.

The kentia palm originated on Lord Howe Island (population: 382), a tiny piece of land off the east coast of Australia. The island gives the palm its botanical name, howea forsteriana. It’s a slow grower that can take decades to reach its maximum height of 10 metres.

Kentia palms prefer bright, indirect light. If you have a room that's filled wit lots of natural light, that's perfect. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can damage the leaves. It's best to keep your kentia palm away from the window.

Water your kentia palm every 7-10 days, allowing the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. The amount of water your kentia palm needs will change depending on things like temperature and whether it's growing, so if in doubt, you can use the finger dip test.

Use a well-draining potting soil for your kentia palm. This will help to prevent root-rot and other problems caused by overwatering.

To give your plant a nutrient boost, fertilise your kentia palm every 3-4 months with a balanced fertiliser.

Prune off any dead or damaged leaves as needed. These will look and feel quite dry. Unfortunately once they turn brown and crispy, these leaves won't be coming back to life. It's best to snip them off so your kentia palm can put its energy into growing new leaves.

Repot your kentia palm every 2-3 years, using a slightly larger pot. It's a slow grower, so this should give your kentia palm plenty of time (and space) to thrive.

Keep your kentia palm in temperatures between 18-24°C. Avoid draughts and radiators where you can, they like a mild climate. If your'e a comfortable temperature, they will be too.

Keep an eye out for mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects, which can damage your kentia palm. Clean your kentia palm regularly with a damp cloth. Not only does this prevent pests, it also gives you the chance to catch them before they get out of control. If you spot pests, treat your kentia palm with a houseplant pesticide.

You can propagate your kentia palm by dividing the root ball. You can learn more about propagation here.