Howea forsteriana
 
Common Names Kentia Palm, Palm Court Palm
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A graceful, slow-growing palm native to Lord Howe Island, Howea forsteriana is renowned for its arching fronds, slender trunk, and adaptability to indoor conditions. Once favored by Queen Victoria and European aristocracy, it remains one of the most elegant and enduring palms for interiors and subtropical gardens. Its tolerance for low light, dry air, and cool temperatures makes it ideal for homes, offices, and shaded outdoor spaces.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing; upright
Height: Up to 40 ft (12 m) in habitat; 6–12 ft (1.8–3.6 m) indoors
Trunk: Slender; pale gray; ringed with leaf scars
Leaves: Pinnate; arching; up to 10 ft (3 m) long; leaflets narrow, dark green, feather-like
Inflorescence: Clusters of small white to cream flowers; rarely seen indoors
Fruit: Egg-shaped; reddish-brown; insignificant in cultivation
Ecology: Endemic to Lord Howe Island; grows in shaded forest understory; seed trade tightly regulated2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Low to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun indoors
Watering: Moderate; allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Soil: Well-drained; rich organic mix
Temperature: Prefers 65–85°F (18–29°C); not frost-tolerant
Humidity: Moderate; tolerates dry indoor air
Propagation: By seed; slow germination
Tolerance: Excellent indoor resilience; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for interior design, shaded patios, and subtropical gardens. Pairs well with Chamaedorea elegans, Rhapis excelsa, and Aspidistra elatior.