Kentia palm
Howea forsteriana (Howea forsteriana)
Also called Forster Senty Palm.
Cats and dogs
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.
Source: ASPCA entry "Kentia Palm", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol Copes
- Medium light 6+ mol Best
- Bright indirect 10+ mol
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Tolerates fairly low light and has a reputation for surviving dim interiors, but grows best in moderate to bright indirect light; avoid direct sun. Clemson favors bright indirect light such as an east window with morning sun.
Direct sun: best kept out of it.
On our scale it grows well from about 6 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 0.5 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Easy. Water: Water generously in summer; in winter water only once the potting mix has dried.
Known for coping with dust, central heating, drought and general neglect.
More pet-safe plants for similar light
- Calathea medium light
- Guzmania bromeliad medium light
- Prayer plant medium light
- Ripple peperomia medium light
- Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) bright indirect light
- Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) bright indirect light