Kentia Palm
Howea forsteriana — The Adaptable Classic Office Palm
Light
Low to bright indirect — one of the most adaptable palms, from darker corners to near windows. Slow grower, so even moderate light maintains acceptable form for years.
Water
Water when the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Humidity
Prefers moderate humidity. Mist or group plants through the heating season.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Protect from cold drafts near entrances.
Difficulty
Moderate
Sizes
Tabletop (under 5 ft) · Mid-floor (around 7.5 ft) · Floor specimen (10 ft+)
Kentia palm, Howea forsteriana, is a single-trunk palm with long, graceful arching fronds — one of the most adaptable palms for indoor use, tolerating everything from darker corners to spots near a window. It's a slow grower, so even moderate light keeps its form acceptable for years, and it can survive for decades indoors.
In the Office
It's forgiving on light, working in low to bright indirect conditions, which makes it one of the safer palm choices for offices without much natural daylight. Its height is fixed at purchase — cutting the crown kills the stem, so there's no growing it taller later. It's pet-friendly and suits both quiet corners and higher-traffic areas alike.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- One of the most light-adaptable palms available, working from darker corners to bright spots near a window
- Slow grower, so its form stays acceptable for years with minimal upkeep
- Pet-friendly, with no skin irritation risk, making it safe for any office environment
- Can survive for decades indoors, making it a genuinely long-term fixture rather than a short-lived install
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Darker interior corners without much natural light — few palms tolerate this as well as a Kentia does
- 2
Reception areas and lobbies — its classic arching form reads as timeless rather than trendy
- 3
Anywhere a long-term specimen is wanted — decide on height at purchase, since cutting the crown kills the stem
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Remove yellowed lower fronds by cutting close to the trunk
- Trim brown tips following the natural shape of the frond rather than cutting straight across
- In low winter light with dry heated air, supplemental lighting meaningfully extends how long it stays healthy
- Check the crown and frond undersides regularly for spider mites, scale, and mealybugs
Want Kentia Palm in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.