While the Kentia palm is generally a low-maintenance roommate, there are a few pests that can cause some real headaches. My best advice? Give any new plant a thorough “physical” at the garden center before you buy it. You definitely don’t want to invite any tiny hitchhikers into your home!
Thrips
One of the most common troublemakers you’ll find hanging out on the surface is the thrip. These little guys hide in the top layer of soil and on the undersides of leaves. They’re sneaky, too—most people don’t realize there’s a problem until the palm starts developing brown leaves. If the infestation gets serious, you’ll start seeing tiny, silver-ish speckled bite marks on the foliage.
Not sure if your Kentia has uninvited guests? Try the “cucumber trick.” Place a fresh slice of cucumber on top of the soil and leave it overnight. If you see tiny insects crawling on the slice the next morning, you’ve got thrips.
If you catch them early, give your palm a good “shower” in the tub. Thrips hate high humidity, and a thorough rinsing can often wash them away. It’s also a good idea to repot the plant in fresh soil. If you want to reuse the same pot and saucer, just make sure to scrub them down with hot, soapy water first.
Spider Mites
A lot of pest problems with Kentia palms boil down to one thing: dry air. Since these palms are native to tropical regions near Australia, they crave humidity. When the air gets too dry—especially in the winter when the heater is running—it’s an open invitation for thrips and spider mites.
You’ll know you have spider mites if you spot fine, delicate webbing between the leaves. Just like with thrips, boosting the humidity can help drive them off. However, if the infestation is heavy, you might need to bring out the big guns. Look for a natural, pyrethrum-based spray at your local garden center; these are usually safe for indoor use and work much faster than waiting for the mites to leave on their own.
Scale Insects
If you spot scale, you need to act fast. These guys are notoriously stubborn. You’ll usually notice them as small brown spots on the leaves. Here’s the kicker: those spots aren’t just damage—they are actually the insects themselves, tucked under a hard, protective shell.
If you only see a few, you can simply scrape them off with a wooden toothpick or a fingernail. For leaves that are totally covered, it’s often best to just prune them off near the base of the plant. For a larger breakout, try an organic neem oil or rapeseed oil-based spray. These oils coat the insects and are very effective at clearing up the problem.
