Plant of the day

Howea forsteriana

Kentia PalmPalm

Howea forsteriana, the Kentia palm, thatch palm or palm court palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, Arecaceae, endemic to Lord Howe Island in Australia. It is also widely grown on Norfolk Island. It is a relatively slow-growing palm, eventually growing up to 10 m (33 ft) tall by 6 m (20 ft) wide. Its fronds can reach 3 m (10 ft) long. The palm gets its common name from the capital of Lord Howe Island, Kentia, and the genus name, Howea, from the island itself. The species name forsteriana is after Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster, father and son, who accompanied Captain Cook as naturalists on his second voyage to the Pacific in 1772–1775. The seeds require six years to mature.

FamilyArecaceae

GenusHowea

NativeAustralia & Oceania

LifespanPerennial

Signs Your Hibiscus Needs Repotting

Roots growing out

Rootbound

Roots appear from drainage holes.

Water drains too quickly

Dry

Soil no longer retains moisture.

Slowed growth

Stalled

Leaves become smaller or sparse.

Plant becomes top heavy

Unstable

Plant tips or becomes hard to balance.

Repotting Step-by-Step

Remove the plant

Step 1

Gently slide the plant out of the old pot.

Prune roots

Step 2

Trim circling roots and loosen the root ball.

Choose a pot

Step 3

Select a pot 1-2 inches wider.

Add fresh soil

Step 4

Use a rich, well-draining mix.

Plant and water

Step 5

Place, fill, water, and keep in shade.

TipObserve your plant regularly and adjust care according to your local climate and conditions.