Kentia fine to plant in desert sun?

[Palmfarmer]

I got a spot for it that’s facing north and eastern sun is blocked by a wall too. 

would it burn badly?

Is there any chance it could die? 
 

[gyuseppe]

the howea (kentia) burns a lot, if there is sun

[PalmatierMeg]

I agree with @gyuseppe. To my knowledge Lord Howe Island, where Howea forsteriana originates has a cool ocean environment nowhere near desert. I would plant yours under canopy rather than risk sunburning it to death.

[Palmfarmer]

Just now, PalmatierMeg said:

I agree with @gyuseppe. To my knowledge Lord Howe Island, where Howea forsteriana originates has a cool ocean environment nowhere near desert. I would plant yours under canopy rather than risk sunburning it to death.

Ok, I will plant it once my palms grows some more canopy then. 

[gyuseppe]

2 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I agree with @gyuseppe. To my knowledge Lord Howe Island, where Howea forsteriana originates has a cool ocean environment nowhere near desert. I would plant yours under canopy rather than risk sunburning it to death.

Hello MEG! How are you? I'm happy to hear from you!
I once sent you seeds of Livistona mariae, but in reality they were seeds of Livistona decipiens/decora!, I didn't know !, I was scammed!

[Phoenikakias]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I agree with @gyuseppe. To my knowledge Lord Howe Island, where Howea forsteriana originates has a cool ocean environment nowhere near desert. I would plant yours under canopy rather than risk sunburning it to death.

Additionally I would use, if possible, very soft water for its irrigation because it hates salt accumulation during dry weather.

[Harry’s Palms]

I would say that Palm hasn’t seen much direct sun. They can grow in full sun along the coast or where evening temps cool down, but only after slowly hardening off and trunk present. To my knowledge , the desert isn’t their preferred environment, they love regular water and a bit of humidity. Harry

[Jim in Los Altos]

FULL shade in the desert! Not even morning sun. Howea will tolerate full sun in cool moist coastal climates. 

[Silas_Sancona]

Just now, Jim in Los Altos said:

FULL shade in the desert! Not even morning sun. Howea will tolerate full sun in cool moist coastal climates. 

In the Desert?  ...not even full shade would spare a Howea  from damage incurred by  0-20% humidity / temps between 75-95 at night / 95 -119F during the day,  May - October..

Where he is located? Higher elevation = ..little cooler than here, also gets more rain during the summer..  Shady spot might work.

[Jim in Los Altos]

7 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

In the Desert?  ...not even full shade would spare a Howea  from damage incurred by  0-20% humidity / temps between 75-95 at night / 95 -119F during the day,  May - October..

Where he is located? Higher elevation = ..little cooler than here, also gets more rain during the summer..  Shady spot might work.

His desert climate is nothing like what you stated. Howea should be perfectly fine there in the shade.

 

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[Josue Diaz]

I agree, it will burn. And the rate of growth is very slow. I had one in morning sun, and when we got heat waves, it would burn severely with just morning sun. It would take at least a year to grow enough new leaves to look good again. 

[Than]

It will burn in the sun, but re humidity, mine has seen 10% humidity on several days last summer without showing any signs of damage. In shade of course.

[Phoenikakias]

5 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

His desert climate is nothing like what you stated. Howea should be perfectly fine there in the shade.

 

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Lol with such temps I would plant it in semi- hade , provided I would be able to keep soil constantly moist!

[Jonathan]

7 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

His desert climate is nothing like what you stated. Howea should be perfectly fine there in the shade.

 

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Those winter minimums are surprisingly low!

What an interesting climate...you learn something new every day on palm talk!

[Jim in Los Altos]

1 hour ago, Phoenikakias said:

Lol with such temps I would plant it in semi- hade , provided I would be able to keep soil constantly moist!

Konstantinos, His area gets mid and upper 20sF (-3°C) occasionally throughout the winter so being under canopy is important during freezing temperatures. 

[Phoenikakias]

7 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Konstantinos, His area gets mid and upper 20sF (-3°C) occasionally throughout the winter so being under canopy is important during freezing temperatures. 

Oh, that's a second factor leading to same recommendation nonetheless.

[Harry’s Palms]

@Jim in Los Altos those lows would scare me if I had Howea in the ground or even in pots. I have never tested mine to that degree but it would concern me. Harry

[Jim in Los Altos]

1 hour ago, Harry’s Palms said:

@Jim in Los Altos those lows would scare me if I had Howea in the ground or even in pots. I have never tested mine to that degree but it would concern me. Harry

Upper 20s are no problem for Howea as long as frost is not allowed to form on the fronds, thus growing them under canopy. Mature Howea have been known to survive mid 20s with cosmetic damage. 

[MoPalm]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:39 PM, Jim in Los Altos said:

His desert climate is nothing like what you stated. Howea should be perfectly fine there in the shade.

 

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I don't have anything to add to everyone's suggestions, but I think you have a greater risk from winter damage than summer damage. I see that your rainy season occurs during the hottest months (June-August), so I assume sunburn will be less likely. Additionally, summer nights have great low temperatures. However, with winter lows averaging 34F/1C, you can likely expect lows in the low to mid-20sF (-6C). As Jim suggested, a canopy is recommended, especially if your tree has never been exposed to full sun.