How to Grow, Care and Propagate Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana)
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Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana) prefers bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Howea belmoreana also called Curly Palm is one of the popular palms with soft, drooping leaflets ideal for adding an exotic feel in any space.
Howea belmoreana is among the slow-growing palms and belongs to a group of palms (called feather palms). These palms produce fronds which are divided on either side of the midrib into leaflets.
Curly Palm has a thin, slender trunk with feather-shaped drooping fronds which produce wide leaflets. The trunk is dark-green when young and turns brown as it ages.
Sentry Palm like Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) and Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions. These palms are among the best plants for a low-light office where they will act as bold statement plants.
Botanical name: Howea belmoreana
Synonym: Kentia belmoreana
Family: Arecaceae
Common names: Sentry Palm, Curly Palm
Origin
Howea belmoreana is endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia.
Size
Sentry Palm can grow to a height of 3-4 feet. The canopy of a mature Sentry Palm can spread 5-10 feet in diameter placing it among the best tree-like plants for the large spaces.
Curly Palm bears more drooping fronds and is generally smaller than its close relative Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm) which grows to a height of 8 feet.
Toxicity
Sentry Palm is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is safe to grow indoors.
Where to Buy
Sentry Palm is a beautiful addition to any plant collection to inject a touch of elegance. You may acquire these palms from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Howea belmoreana Care Indoors
Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana) thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Howea belmoreana requires pruning to to keep it neat as well as minimize pests and diseases. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Sentry Palm thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist at all times.
Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Curly Palm like all palms, is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Therefore, water the palm with chlorine-free water only.
Avoid getting the base of the palm wet as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the palm. Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the palm.
Light Requirements
Sentry Palm grows best in bright indirect light. Do not expose it to direct sunlight as it can cause the fronds to develop a yellowish color instead of the attractive green color.
Curly Palm can tolerate some shade though it will grow much slower. If the natural lighting is not enough, you may grow the palm under a grow light. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the palm receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Howea belmoreana thrives in average warmth of 16-270C. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for this palm. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause reduced growth and brown leaf tips.
Sentry Palm requires a humidity of 50-55%. If the air is too dry, you may raise humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray to keep the fronds looking green and healthy. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Occasionally clean the mature leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pests and diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Sentry Palm with a liquid fertilizer, rich in micronutrients on monthly basis during the growing period for a lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal at this time.
Take care not to overfeed as it can lead to yellowing. To prevent fertilizer build up which is indicated by leaf burn and brown spots, water thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage hole.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Howea belmoreana should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Sentry Palm only when it is extremely root-bound and take care not to damage the roots. Avoid repotting the palm too frequently as is sensitive to root disturbance.
Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Sentry Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the plant tidy as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Cut any flower stalk immediately to prevent the palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers.
Propagation
Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana) can be propagated from seeds but this is difficult and the palm rarely produces seeds when grown indoors. It is advisable to buy a new plant from the breeders.
Howea belmoreana Problems
Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana) problems include brown leaf tips, browning leaves, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
The common pests in Sentry Palm are spider mites, scales and mealy bugs. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Ensure to follow the instructions on the label.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips in Sentry Palm are due to four possible reasons. Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors to minimize spread of diseases. One possible reason for brown leaf tips is dry air. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
The second possible reason for brown leaf tips in Sentry Palm is underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season. Decrease watering during the cold season and keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely.
The third possible reason for brown leaf tips in Curly Palm is cold drafts. Keep it away from windy doors, drafty windows and air conditioning units to maintain an average warmth of 16-270C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The fourth possible reason for Sentry Palm brown leaf tips is damage by touching. Place the palm away from the line of traffic.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots in Sentry Palm are due to two possible causes. Remove the affected leaves and discard to reduce spread to the rest of the palm. One possible cause of brown leaf spots is overwatering.
Keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season but not soggy. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the correct way.
The second possible cause of brown leaf spots in Sentry Palm is sudden decrease of temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the palm away from drafty conditions to maintain an average warmth of 16-270C.
Browning leaves
Sentry Palm browning leaves are due to two reasons. The lower leaves may turn brown and droop due to age; remove them by cutting and not pulling. If the browning of the leaves is general and accompanied by rotting, the reason is root-rot due to soggy soil. Learn how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Yellowing leaves
Sentry Palm yellowing leaves are due to underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Drooping leaves and stems
Sentry Palm drooping leaves and stems are due to underwatering. Water the palm liberally during the growing season to keep the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
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