{"id":7507,"date":"2026-03-24T12:39:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airsopure.nl\/?p=7507"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:18:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T08:18:36","slug":"blom-kentia-palmen-specialist-in-kentia-palm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airsopure.nl\/en\/nieuws\/blom-kentia-palmen-specialist-in-kentia-palm\/","title":{"rendered":"Blom KENTIA Palmen: specialist in the Kentia palm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interview with Christian Blom, co-owner of Blom KENTIA Palms and former board member of Air So Pure<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kentia (Howea forsteriana) is known as an elegant, strong houseplant that lasts for years. At Blom KENTIA Palmen, everything has revolved around this palm for more than fifty years. Together with his brother Paul, Christian runs the family business from a single location of nearly six hectares, where the Kentia is central: from young plant to mature specimen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this interview, Christian shares his view on the added value of Air So Pure, why specialisation is their strength, and how Blom KENTIA Palmen works towards sustainable and resilient cultivation. He also explains why the Kentia is, in his opinion, one of the most valuable plants for the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air So Pure as added value<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blom KENTIA Palmen<\/strong><\/a> has been a member of Air So Pure since 2018. Within the growers\u2019 association, the company supplies the Kentia in seven different pot sizes<\/strong><\/a>. According to Christian, the plant fit the Air So Pure concept perfectly from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur plant immediately matched the (air-purifying) story<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d he explains. \u201cKentias are strong, healthy plants. Many of our customers were already working with Air So Pure, and we saw an opportunity in that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Blom KENTIA Palmen was already a well-established name, the membership made the Kentia even more visible in the market. \u201cYou\u2019re more easily recognised by customers. That helps, of course. In the end, it leads to more sales.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian also notices that being part of the collective opens doors that can be harder to access individually. He mentions visits to larger retail organisations as an example. \u201cIf you show up on your own, it\u2019s not easy to get in. But when you come as part of Air So Pure and tell the story behind it, people listen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kentia<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The strength of the collective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Christian, that strength lies mainly in the shared story. By working together as a group of growers<\/strong><\/a> a stronger message is created for the market. \u201cTogether, you\u2019re stronger than on your own, and you also learn from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One example he appreciates is the shop-in-shop<\/strong><\/a>, concept, where Air So Pure plants are presented in garden centres with their own display and POS materials. \u201cWhat we started at TC Ockenburgh and what you now see at places like TC Leurs, I think that\u2019s great. It clearly shows how the organisation is developing and how the brand is growing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taking initiative yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Christian emphasises that membership does not automatically lead to success. According to him, members need to stay actively involved and take initiative. \u201cYou can really benefit financially and improve your margins. But you have to put something into it. It only works if you invest your own energy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is also why Christian chose to be actively involved in the Air So Pure board for many years. \u201cI had ideas about how things should be done. You can stay on the sidelines, but I believe you should take responsibility. If you want to have a say, you also need to be willing to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Christian, the added value is clear. \u201cBeing part of Air So Pure definitely opens doors.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Air<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Full focus on Kentia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After discussing the collaboration, the conversation naturally shifts to the company itself. Blom KENTIA Palmen is fully specialised in one plant: the Kentia. This is a conscious choice.\n\n\u201cWe strongly believe in specialisation. We focus on doing one thing really well. That\u2019s our KISS method: keep it simple. Better to do one thing extremely well than everything just a little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By focusing on a single product group, the company can optimise all processes. From cultivation to selection and quality. \u201cEverything here revolves around that one palm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Bloms make Blom\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blom KENTIA Palmen is a true family business. It was founded in 1971 by the father and uncle of Christian and Paul Blom. In 2003, the brothers took over the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, they run the business together, each with their own role. \u201cPaul focuses more on the numbers and administration. I\u2019m more involved in strategy and customers. Together, we set the direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company employs around twelve permanent staff members, supported by temporary workers. In total, the team consists of eighteen people. According to Christian, the people are a key factor in their success. \u201cThe people make the company. We often say: the Bloms make Blom.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Air<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sustainable cultivation as a starting point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blom KENTIA Palmen has been working towards more sustainable cultivation for many years. By 2026, the goal is to grow entirely using biological crop protection. A goal that aligns well with the sustainability ambitions<\/strong><\/a> of Air So Pure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps have also been taken in the use of potting soil. The substrate used has been more than 75% peat-free for years. \u201cWe truly believe in peat-free growing. It works well, and the quality of the plants even improves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Christian, a natural way of growing leads to a better plant. \u201cIf you stay away from chemicals, you get a more resilient plant.\u201d He compares it to human health. \u201cToo much medication doesn\u2019t make you healthier either.\u201d That is why plants at Blom are not pushed with extreme temperatures or intensive lighting. \u201cThe plant is central.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe plant comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe plant comes first.\u201d<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The company has also been using solar panels and energy-efficient greenhouses for years. Gas and water use are kept to a minimum. \u201cFor us, that\u2019s not new anymore. We\u2019ve been doing this for years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Biologische<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Quality over quantity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While many companies in the sector focus on expansion, Blom KENTIA Palmen focuses on quality.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re not aiming to grow in size. We focus on better and more resilient plants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Christian, the biggest challenge is maintaining sustainable cultivation. \u201cThat always requires attention.\u201d Major new innovations are not currently planned. \u201cWe focus on continuing to do this well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the Air So Pure assortment, quality also plays an important role. According to Christian, the difference between a standard Kentia and an Air So Pure Kentia lies mainly in selection. \u201cFor Air So Pure, we only select the very best plants.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kentia<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Blom<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A plant that takes time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kentias grow slowly. That requires patience and careful planning. Blom KENTIA Palmen imports both seeds and germinated seeds from Australia. From there, the palms grow in the greenhouse at an average of about one centimetre per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that a one-metre plant has already spent around two years in the greenhouse. \u201cIt\u2019s a plant that really takes time.\u201d This slow growth results in a strong, full, and well-shaped plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some growers develop a bond with plants that stay in the greenhouse for so long, but Christian remains down-to-earth. \u201cThey\u2019re beautiful plants, but in the end we grow them to sell. We\u2019re not a museum. \ud83d\ude09\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about his favourite pot size, his answer is clear. \u201cNo. Big or small, I like them all. That\u2019s why I have a Kentia in almost every room at home.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kentias around the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After years of growing at Blom, the palms find their way to customers all over the world. Sometimes Christian hears where they end up.\n\n\u201cYou hear that they\u2019re placed in palaces in Turkey, with the British royal family, or even in the Kremlin.\u201d Those stories stay with him. \u201cThat\u2019s always nice to hear.\u201d He also regularly spots his Kentias on television. \u201cI recognise them immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Howea<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A rewarding plant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Kentia is often described as one of the most durable and rewarding houseplants, mainly because of its long lifespan.\n\n\u201cWith a bit of care, you can enjoy it for many years,\u201d says Christian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to him, care is quite simple. One important tip is to avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight. A spot with some shade works better. It\u2019s also important to pay attention to the plant\u2019s water needs. As a guideline, he suggests about one litre of water per metre of plant height per week. But ultimately, it\u2019s about observing the plant.\n\n\u201cLift the pot and feel how heavy it is, or check the soil. That gives you a good idea of whether it needs water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repotting is usually not necessary. Indoors, the plant doesn\u2019t grow much taller but becomes fuller over time. \u201cIt grows wider and fuller, and only becomes more beautiful.\u201d\n\nIn an interior, the plant can become a real eye-catcher. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a piece of furniture. A jewel in your home.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Proud of what has been built<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Christian reflects on the company, pride stands out most. \u201cWhen I see the quality of our plants and where the company stands today, we are very satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company\u2019s core values are clear: sustainability, honesty, and passion for the craft. Values that came through clearly in this interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAnd just go for it.\u201d<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With that grounded mindset, Blom KENTIA Palms continues to work every day on strong and healthy Kentias. A palm that people can enjoy for years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Christian<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

About Blom KENTIA Palms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blom KENTIA Palmen is a family business based in Aalsmeer, fully dedicated to growing Kentia palms. Since 1971, the company has focused on strong, resilient, and sustainably grown plants, with great attention to quality and craftsmanship. From a single location of nearly six hectares, Blom supplies Kentias in various pot sizes to customers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Blom<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Blom in numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n