Guide to Ideal Lighting for Healthy Kentia Palms

The Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) is a superb addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection. This low-maintenance palm lends an air of elegance to any space with its lengthy, sleek fronds. However, your Kentia Palms will only thrive indoors with the right light exposure. In this article, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about your Kentia Palm’s light needs. 

Kentia Palm Light Requirements – Key Takeaways

Kentia Palms flourish in bright indirect light, typical of many tropical houseplants. Although mature palms can endure bright, direct sunlight, you should avoid exposing your palms to such conditions. Excessive light can cause sunburn and leaf browning and increase evaporation, leading to other potential problems. For optimal plant health, Kentia Palms should get at least 6 hours duration of indirect natural light daily to flourish. Locate your palm near an east or south-facing window with a sheer curtain to provide some partial shade. 

The Importance of Light to Kentia Palms

Plants, as you’re likely aware, need light to grow and survive. Sunlight is integral to photosynthesis – the process allowing plants to produce their food.

While the basics of photosynthesis and the light spectrum are commonly known, it’s worth diving deeper.

Chlorophyll (the green pigment that gives plants their lush color) absorbs sunlight, while the roots and leaves draw up carbon dioxide and water. These components are then transformed into oxygen and glucose, the primary food for plants. 

Simply put, light is crucial for the health and growth of your Kentia Palms. Yet, remember: excessive light can be as harmful as insufficient light. Kentia Palms, like many indoor palms, thrive under a specific light type.

Types of Light for Houseplants 

Experienced green thumbs understand that different plants require different types of light and ‘photoperiod’ for optimal growth and health. This is also true for houseplants. 

As confusing as this may sound, there are generally only three main types of light exposure that indoor plants prefer: 

Low Light 

As the name of this category suggests, this means little to no light. Plants sensitive to bright light fall under this section and often prefer darker spots in your home. Examples of these spots in your home include north-facing windows or dark corners.

Bright Indirect Light or Filtered Light

In my experience, most houseplants, including Kentia Palms, thrive in bright, indirect light. This type of light refers to a spot in your home that gets plenty of light, but not a lot of sun, thanks to a sheer curtain or the light bouncing off a wall. 

These perfect spots typically occur a few feet away from a south-facing window. 

Bright Direct Light 

The opposite of bright, indirect light is bright direct light. This type of light typically occurs in front or next to west or south-facing windows. Very few plants require such intense light throughout the day, although, I find that my succulents and cacti benefit from it greatly. 

Artificial Light

This includes fluorescent lights, LED grow lights, and other indoor lighting sources that can be used to supplement natural light.

Light Conditions for Kentia Palms in Their Natural Habitats 

Kentia Palms are native to Lord Howe Island, a tiny island off the coast of Australia. As a tropical plant, Kentia Palms thrive in warm, humid conditions, which allows them to grow so well indoors. 

Outdoors, Kentia Palms can grow to about 40 feet tall. However, while they’re still growing, they’re often protected by larger trees, which filter the sunlight. Only mature, tall Kentia Palms experience bright, direct sunlight exposure. 

When it comes to growing your Kentia Palm Indoors, however, they do best in bright, indirect light near south-facing windows or a covered west-facing window. 

Older Kentia Palms won’t mind the harshness of direct light though, so you can place it close to a south-facing window. For more, see our guide on Where to Position Kentia Palms for Optimal Care. 

Kentia Palm’s tropical roots allow these plants to be a little more forgiving than most. In the right conditions, your Kentia Palm can do well in lower-light spaces. Always be on the lookout for signs of too little light exposure, though. 

Signs Your Kentia Palm is Getting Too Little Light

Kentia Palms can quickly indicate that it isn’t getting enough light. Most signs start with changes to the color of the leaves. 

Yellowing leaves are often linked to overwatering, a few pests and diseases, or age. But it can be a direct sign that your Kentia Palm is getting insufficient light, especially if the yellowing spreads from the lower fronds to the upper fronds. 

You might notice limited frond growth, too. The lack of light means that your plant won’t be able to produce enough glucose for new growth, leaving your Kentia Palm looking spindly. 

Signs Your Kentia Palm is Getting Too Much Light

Kentia Palms will also let you know if they’re getting too much light. The lush green fronds typically begin developing brown tips and, or brown patches, and you may experience some leaf drop. They’ll become crispy and brittle, the sun’s rays burning the leaves. 

Fronds not exposed to the harsh light might begin drooping and browning too. The high levels of light dry the soil out quickly, preventing the entire plant from getting sufficient water. 

If left too long, the entire Kentia Palm could begin to discolor. At this point, there’s little you can do to save it, so it’s best to catch these problems early. 

The Best Light Exposure for Kentia Palms Grown Indoors 

While Kentia Palms can adapt to bright, direct light, or low light conditions, bright, indirect light remains the golden category for these indoor trees. Like most houseplants, Kentia Palms should get a minimum of 6 hours of indirect light a day to flourish. 

Window Orientation

For optimal growth, place your palm near an east or south-facing window with a sheer curtain to protect your palm from any direct glare.  

Acclimatizing Your Kentia Palms 

Plants need a little time to adjust to new light conditions. If moving a Kentia Palm to a brighter location, it’s crucial to do so gradually to avoid shock. 

Kentia Palm Light Requirements FAQs:

Wrapping Up

Like most houseplants, Kentia Palms need plenty of light to flourish. While these tropical trees can tolerate low light conditions, they aren’t perfect for optimal growth. 

Aim to place your Kentia Palms near a southeast or east-facing window, allowing it to soak up bright indirect light for several hours without worry. 

For more, see our in-depth guide to Kentia Palm Care at Home, Kentia Palm Toxicity to Pets and Humans, and When and How to Water Kentia Palms.

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