The Kentia Palm is our personal favourite and the plant we have chosen for our company logo. It is a premium palm, having elegantly curving fronds with long slender leaves. We use it frequently in entryways, lobbies and other areas of offices that require a plant with impact.
12ft Specimen Kentia Palm Tree in a Toronto office lobby
The Kentia Palm is slow growing which is a desirable trait in an indoor plant. It will keep its shape longer without the need for pruning. It is also one of the few palms that can tolerate lower light and temperature/humidity variations.
The Kentia is native to Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia but is produced commercially mainly in Hawaii, growing best in soil rich with lava rock. It is a single trunk palm in its native environment, but growers usually place 3 or 4 trees together in a pot for retail sales.
Indoors, the Kentia Palm does best in medium, indirect light such as in an east window. It will tolerate bright light, but the leaves may burn and it will be more susceptible to spider mites. It prefers well-drained, porous soil. Keep the soil moist at all times. Ideally, use a container with a sub-irrigation system. This plant rarely requires re-potting. It prefers to have its roots crowded in the pot. Keeping the plant in a smaller pot also restricts the growth. To show off this palm’s beautiful arching fronds, make sure it is placed in a large open area. Wipe the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to discourage spider mites.
Regular fertilizing is important to keep the leaves green. Over fertilizing will result in yellow, weak leaves though, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully. Only fertilize monthly from February through to November.
Simple elegant design in a Toronto office lounge.
JUL
2018