Kentia palm care guide

Kentia palm care at a glance

Care and maintenance for an indoor kentia palm.

How much light does a kentia palm need?

Medium to bright, indirect light is ideal. Kentias handle lower light than most palms, which is why they're used in hotel lobbies and corners away from windows, but they grow very slowly there.

Keep them out of hot direct sun, which yellows and scorches the fronds.

How to water a kentia palm

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks in spring and summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter. Water thoroughly until it drains. Kentias dislike both soggy soil and a root ball that dries out completely.

With a moisture meter, push the probe about halfway down the pot and water when it reads around 3 on a 1 to 10 scale (the dry side of moist). Large pots hold water much longer than the surface suggests.

Kentias are sensitive to salt and fluoride buildup. Use filtered or rain water when you can, and flush the pot thoroughly every few months.

Brown and yellow leaves

Brown tips are the most common kentia complaint. They come from dry air, salts in tap water, too much fertilizer or letting the root ball dry out. Trim brown tips with clean scissors, following the frond's natural shape.

Whole fronds browning from the bottom of the plant is normal aging; cut them off at the base only once they're fully brown, since the palm draws nutrients from yellowing fronds. Many yellow fronds at once usually means overwatering or a nutrient shortage, especially potassium or magnesium. A palm fertilizer corrects it.

Scale insects and other pests

Kentias attract scale insects (small brown bumps on the stems and undersides of fronds), mealybugs and spider mites, especially in dry rooms. Wipe scale off with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol, then treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap and repeat every 7 to 10 days. Wiping the fronds monthly with a damp cloth prevents most infestations.

Soil, repotting and feeding

Use a well-draining palm mix or potting mix with perlite. Kentia roots are sensitive, so repot only every 3 to 4 years, in spring, and disturb the root ball as little as possible. Go up only one pot size.

Feed with a slow-release palm fertilizer in spring and summer, following the label. Don't feed in winter.

Outdoor kentia palm care

Kentias grow outdoors in USDA zones 9b to 11, including coastal California and South Florida. Plant them in shade or part shade, in well-draining soil, and keep them out of hot afternoon sun. Mature plants tolerate brief light frosts, but young plants should be protected.

In landscaping, kentias work well under taller trees, along shaded front walks and in courtyards. Water weekly until established, and feed with a palm fertilizer in spring and summer.