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Publication #ENH456

Howea forsteriana: Sentry Palm1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

Capable of reaching a height of 40 feet but often seen much shorter, this slow-growing palm has a slim, six-inch-diameter, showy, green trunk. The trunk resembles bamboo. The graceful, dark green fronds have a smooth, neat appearance, unencumbered by spines or rough bark. Often used as an urn or interior plant, Sentry Palm serves well as a small framing or specimen tree in a shady location.

Figure 1. 

Middle-aged Howea forsteriana: Sentry Palm

General Information

Scientific name: Howea forsteriana
Pronunciation: HOW-ee-uh for-stair-ee-AY-nuh
Common name(s): Sentry Palm, Kentia Palm
Family: Arecaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potential
Uses: indoors; deck or patio; specimen; container or planter
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Figure 2. 

Range

Description

Height: 15 to 25 feet
Spread: 6 to 10 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: palm, upright/erect
Crown density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray
Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round, oval
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit covering: fleshy
Fruit color: yellow, red
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: not applicable
Current year twig thickness:
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: partial sun or partial shade, shade tolerant
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Aerosol salt tolerance: none

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant
Pest resistance: sensitive to pests/diseases

Figure 3. 

Foliage

Use and Management

Sentry Palm requires partial to deep shade when young, and fertile, well-drained soils. It is not salt-tolerant. It should be protected from frost, winds, and keep lawn grasses away from the root system. It makes a nice house plant if it is not overwatered.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests

Scale.

Diseases

Lethal yellowing disease.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH456, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1, 1993. Revised 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.