What Is the Difference Between a Parlor Palm & a Kentia Palm?

Kentia Palm

• The native Australian Kentia palm, or Howea forsteriana, is commonly called the sentry or thatch palm. This palm grows slowly, but may eventually top off at ceiling height. It features large, arching fronds, and tolerates cooler indoor temperatures than many other palm species. The Kentia palm suits large interiors, and may eventually grow too large and overwhelm a smaller room. It is best placed on the floor, rather than a desk or table.

Parlor Palm

• Native to Central American rainforests, the parlor palm, Chamaedorea elegans, grows up to 6 feet high, but most commercially available plants remain at tabletop size. While primarily an indoor plant in the United States, you can plant it outdoors if living in United States Department of Agriculture zones 10 or 11. The palm boasts dark green leaves on its pale, thin stem. The parlor palm, so named because of its indoor growing suitability, produces tiny yellow flowers in early spring, followed by little black fruits.

Light

• Indoors, the parlor palm requires either low interior light without any direct sunlight, or no lighting on it at all. This makes it a suitable plant for places in which few other plants do well. If the parlor palm receives too much light, the leaf tips turn brown. The Kentia palm prefers indirect or partially sunny areas. If the palm is more than a few years old, it may be placed in direct sunlight, but avoid this with young plants.

Care

• Keep the parlor palm in a warm area. Plant it in well-drained soil, and keep the soil constantly moist. The parlor palm likes humidity, so mist it on a daily basis. Fertilize the parlor palm every two weeks during the growing season.

  Don't let the soil in the Kentia palm's container get completely dry before watering. This palm requires a well-draining, rich soil. Fertilize the Kentia palm once a year, preferably in the summer. With either type of palm, clean the fronds regularly to keep dust off and deter mites and other insects.