Sentry Palm

Frost Tolerance: 28°F (-2°C), mature tolerates down to 25°F (-4°C)

Sun Exposure: Shade to light shade, mature trees needs at least part sun to produce flowers

Origin: Lord Howe Islands, off the eastern coast of New South Wales, Australia

Growth Habits: Solitary palmtree, slow growing to 20 to 30 feet tall or more (6-9 m), 5 to 12 feet spread (1.5-3.6 m), when mature; gray trunk with rings, no crownshaft; pinnate leaves, up to 6 feet long (1.8 m), with light green, downward angled leaflets, with lighter undersides

Watering Needs: Moderate water, keep the soil moist, dislikes wet or dry soils. Withstands low humidity

Propagation: Seeds with erratic germination, must be fresh

It grows slower and is less tolerant when grown indoors than H. forsteriana. The two palms are quite similar in appearance but hybridization is very exceptional.

Blooming Habits:
Male and female white flowers on a 1-spike inflorescence coming under the leaves.

Fruiting Habits:
Ovoid fruits, taking up to 2 years to ripen, dark brown when ripe, 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Oval seed.