Question
QUESTION: Hi, Will.  I recently read your advice suggesting that it is a terrible idea to repot a Kentia (http://en.allexperts.com/q/House-Plants-721/2010/11/kentia-palm-2.htm).  However,  I recently bought one with leaves that are slowly turning brown.  I have noticed that it has several roots which are completely sticking out of the soil inside the container.  Is re-potting still a bad idea?

I am sure I am not over watering it, so I can't figure out what else could be causing it to dry out like this.  Could it be from the dry air in our apartment?

Thanks,

-Tim

ANSWER: Hi Tim,

I just got off Skype chatting with my son who is studying in Madrid! I am in NYC.

I don't know exactly how the nurseries grow Kentias in Spain or wherever they are grown in Europe, so it is possible that your Kentia needs a larger pot, but I doubt it.

A well potted plant will often have a few roots wandering out of the drainage holes. The brown tips may be caused by the stray roots that dry out when exposed to the air outside the pot.
I recommend just cutting them off and then making sure that when you do water, a small bit of water trickles through the drain holes so you know those roots just inside the holes are getting water.

An alternative is to pull the plant out of its pot after you have watered. If there is a mass of roots all across the bottom of the pot, cut that bottom layer off entirely. Leave the rest of the rootball alone. Then add an inch of soil to the bottom of the pot and place the trimmed rootball back into the same pot.

You may also be underwatering. Most Kentias need a thorough watering at least once per week. Also, make sure your Kentia is getting lots of bright, but indirect sunlight. The sun's rays should never fall directly on the fronds.

I have written articles on Kentia care and repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Will.  In the case of my kentia, its not that it has roots sticking slightly out from the bottom, but rather that there is about 6 inches of one root exiting the *side* of the soil near the base of the plant.  Does this make any difference?  Is it still safe to trim that root?

Also, is it possible that dryness of air is a factor?  We do have a heating vent in the same room that dries the air considerably.

Answer
Hi Tim,

Sorry, I misunderstood. As long as all roots are inside the pot - even though they are on the outside of the rootball - there should be no reason to repot or trim any roots. A healthy plant will usually have lots of roots wrapped around the outside of the rootball.

A well-rooted plant usually needs more frequent watering because there is less soil in proportion to the roots. So the brown fronds may be a result of the roots getting a bit too dry in between waterings.

Kentias have proven to hold up very well in desert-dry indoor heated environments. The dryness of the air will cause water to evaporate more quickly from the soil, but otherwise the heat vent should not be a problem. Again, a bit more frequent watreing will probably solve the problem.

Thanks for the favorable ratings. Much appreciated! I will email you my article on Palm care.

~Will