Howea belmoreana

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: HOW-ee-uh bell-more-ee-AN-uh


Common Name: Sentry Palm

Howea belmoreana is a bit more difficult a palm to grow than the ubiquitous Howea forsteriana, but a very ornamental plant and commonly grown palm for California. Unlike the common Kentia palm, this plant has markedly recurved leaves (nearly curving back to the trunk sometimes) with upright leaflets in a narrow 'V' orientation of the leaflets, with on a bit of floppiness near the leaflet tips. The leaves are similarly dark green. Indoors it performs well, but not nearly as low-light tolerant as Howea forsteriana.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 12-14 pinnate leaves
  • Height: 30'
  • Trunk: single; 6" in diameter; deep, dark green; prominently but irregularly ringed; smooth; self cleaning
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 10'-12'
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; strongly recurved; 8' long; leaflets upright and fairly stiff, drooping only at the tips; in a narrow, upright 'V' on cross-section; deep green
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 3' long; smooth; lime green; un-split leaf bases, not retained on trunk
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: 4' long; unbranched; drooping; pinkish-orange flowers
  • Fruit: 2"; ovoid; pointed; olive green turning reddish-brown when ripe
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 27F
  • Drought Tolerance: moderate
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: low
  • Growth Rate: slow
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: filtered light to full sun near coast
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
  • Transplants?: moderately tolerant
  • Indoor?: does fairly well as indoor palm, but does not tolerate the degree of dark that Howea forsteriana does
  • Availability: rare, but readily available at most palm specialty nurseries


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