Howea forsteriana

Natural origin and horticultural history

Howea forsteriana grows naturally only on Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It is one of two native Howea palms and forms dense palm forest from the coast into the island’s lower slopes, with smaller populations at higher elevations.

Kentia palms often grow on calcarenite, a limestone-like rock formed from compacted calcareous sand. They share parts of the island with H. belmoreana, but usually flower earlier. The different flowering seasons help the two palms remain distinct. Introduced rats once reduced seed production by feeding on fallen palm seeds.

Seeds of H. forsteriana became an important island export, and the palm gained international popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. This trade carried a species with a very small natural range into homes and glasshouses around the world.

Care for palms in containers

Repotting and propagation: Root disturbance sets back the slow-growing Howea forsteriana. Repot only when necessary, keep the roots as intact as possible and move up by one pot size. Several stems in a nursery pot are normally separate seedlings, so pulling them apart damages individual palms rather than propagating the plant.

Light, temperature and humidity: A well-lit position without harsh midday sun supports steady growth, although Howea forsteriana tolerates a dimmer position at a slower pace. Move greenhouse-raised fronds towards direct sun in stages. Keep the moist root ball away from cold floors and draughts, and use moderate humidity with gentle air movement.

Feeding and propagation: Remove only fully dead fronds because green tissue continues feeding the single growing point. Cutting this growing point does not produce branches. Kentia palm grows from seed rather than stem cuttings.

Watering and root care: Water after the upper few centimetres of a loose palm mix have dried, soaking the soil evenly and allowing full drainage. Avoid keeping the roots continuously wet or leaving them completely dry for long.

Troubleshooting and recovery

Dry brown tips on Kentia palm can follow drought, dry air, rubbing, mineral salts or cold draughts. A crust on the potting mix together with widespread tip burn suggests salt buildup and calls for a thorough flush with water. A light, dry pot needs a full watering instead. Existing brown tissue will not turn green again.

One oldest frond yellowing gradually can be normal ageing. Yellowing across several fronds indicates a wider root or watering problem. Dark soft roots in wet soil point to rot, while a very light pot with dry soil points to drought. Keep healthy green fronds while correcting the cause because they continue supporting the growing point.

Spider mites leave pale speckles and delicate webbing. Thrips make silvery scars accompanied by dark specks. Isolate an infested palm, treat both sides of every leaflet and continue until no fresh damage appears.

Scale appears as fixed bumps with sticky honeydew, while mealybugs form white waxy clusters around sheltered leaf bases. Clean these protected areas as well as the visible fronds and continue treatment until no fresh residue or insects appear.

A central spear that pulls loose from a soft or unpleasant-smelling crown indicates advanced crown rot. Keep water out of the crown and stop routine watering until the roots and stem base have been checked. A dead growing point cannot recover, although other seedlings sharing the pot may survive independently.

Howea forsteriana is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Why is it called Howea forsteriana?

Howea takes its name from Lord Howe Island. The epithet forsteriana honours William Forster, a nineteenth-century politician in New South Wales.

Odoardo Beccari established the genus Howea in 1877 in Malesia, volume 1, page 41.

Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller first described it as Kentia forsteriana in 1870 in Fragm, volume 7, page 100. Odoardo Beccari later placed it in Howea as Howea forsteriana in 1877 in Malesia, volume 1, page 66.