Howea forsteriana is
notable for the particularly skinny trunk and graceful spread of leaves. The Kentia Palm is
relatively slow growing, though given enough time it can reach the 30+
feet that this one has attained. Howea forsteriana is tender if the
temperatures drop much below freezing. That leaves much of coastal
Southern California as a nice setting for this gem of a palm. In a windy location Howea
forsteriana will hold up better than most any other palm. The Kentia
Palm is often used indoors due to the clean lines, skinny trunk and slow
growth.
A Book Review
Seed to Elegance
By Kevin Williams
Kentia palms have been a status symbol as well as a darn good house
plant. If there ever was a short list of plants with romantic
histories, the Kentia Palms should surely be on that list. Captain
Cook, Mutiny on the Bounty, Queen Victoria are all part of the
tale. If a guy can figure out how to grow tropical plants in
Michigan on a production scale, there is plenty to be learned.
High resolution images
of Howea forsteriana are available
