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Enjoy the Chamaedorea Cataractarum (Cat Palm) - a low-growing palm with gorgeous feathery fronds! Create that 'bygone day' theme with the airy display of dark green leaves and leaflets. The Cat Palm displays a bright yellow pendulous inflorescence in early spring with shiny fruit on the flower stalk. This palm tree enjoys bright, indirect light and high humidity.
Cat Palm Care Guide & Presentation
Medium to bright indirect light.
Keep the soil moist consistently (but not soggy).
Spritz daily
This plant loves heat and humidity so the warmer the better. Keep away from heating vents or direct sunlight though as the leaves could burn.
Outdoors in part sun (4-6 hours), where nights are above 40°F.
Interior: Feed the Cat Palm monthly in the spring and summer months and reduce to once or twice during the fall and winter months. :: Exterior: Apply fertilizer around the drip line of the plant and follow manufacturer's directions for use. Apply in three times a year in the spring, summer and fall.
Repotting details
Cat Palms like to be rootbound, so don't repot until the roots grow out of the pot's holes. When the plant is rootbound and ready to repot (early spring before growth starts), plant in a 2" bigger container in diameter and slightly deeper than the existing planter.
Use an indoor container mix that is well-draining with good aeration. You may add peat moss to the soil to keep them light.
Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root clump.
Lift the plant and inspect the root clump. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Do not cover the current level of soil on the plant but add soil up to this level.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. Add more soil after watering if the soil settles.
After transplanting, the Cat Palm may experience some transplant shock after the process. Allow the palm to rest during this time in a partial shady area if outdoors or bright, indirect light when indoors.
Keep them well-watered and add humidity around them as they are getting established.
Outdoors:
Before planting or repotting in a container, water the plant in the grower pot well and let drain.
Find a spot in the garden where there are at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Be generous by digging a hole twice the pot's width and 1 inch shorter than the grower pot to raise them above the soil level for good drainage.
Use a pitchfork or a sharp object to stab the soil walls to make several indentions for the roots to take hold.
Tickle the roots to loosen them if they wrap inside the container. Place the plant in the center of the hole. Fill the hole with water first, so the roots get another good drink.
Next, backfill with native soil mixed with compost by one third to one half (if the native soil is clay).
Add a rooting hormone fertilizer to this backfill mixture.
Tamp the soil firmly down around the edges and mound up. Avoid covering the original soil level of the plant that was in the container.
Add mulch as needed but not next to the stem or branches of the plant. Water and keep consistently moist but not soggy. Continue to observe the soil moisture each day, depending on the temperatures and soil drainage.
Keep yellowing or browning fronds cut off. If tips get burned, trim off the edges at an angle so they looks more natural. Keep the soil clean and replenish with soil if depleted.
Divide your palm by dividing the established plant. Remove the clump from the container after watering to help loosen the soil. Wash off the soil and gently brush away the soil from their roots. Identify where the stalks are attached to the roots. Take a sharp, sterilized garden knife and split the clump in half or thirds. Keep the knife disinfected as cuts are made throughout the root system to avoid spreading diseases.
You can also remove suckers that grow straight upward from the root ball. Loosen the soil away from the roots and separate the sucker from the mother plant. If needed, cut the roots away from the clump carefully. Follow our potting instructions to keep your new baby plant happy!
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Cat Palm: Overview
The Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) is one of the most beautiful indoor palms. It has slender, gently curving fronds growing from the base of the plant (the Cat Palm has no trunk). This lovely palm tree grows to an average of 3-4 ft. in height. Native to Mexico and Central America, it grows best in humid and warm conditions but can adapt to growing outdoors in hardiness zones 11-12 as long as the night temperatures are above 40°F.
The Cat Palm belongs to the Arecaceae family and is related to the Areca Palm and the Coconut Palm. It can live for decades when grown as an indoor plant, and it takes up to 10 years for this palm to reach maturity. It occasionally produces a yellow inflorescence and fruit, even when grown indoors. This palm prefers medium to bright indirect light for optimal growth. It’s an easy-care plant and is considered one of the best palms for beginners. Moreover, the aptly named Cat Palm is non-toxic for cats and dogs and is an excellent pet-friendly choice.
In the ancient world, palm trees often symbolized victory and triumph and were known as symbols of peace. In Feng Shui, the Cat Palm Tree is associated with good fortune and is believed to balance a home’s energy.
Cataractarum Palm: Alternative Names
- Cascade palm
- Cataract palm
- Cattail palm
- Mexican hat palm
Cat Palm: Benefits
- Excellent oxygen-producing and air-purifying plant
- Gorgeous large plant for interior decoration
- Boosts indoor humidity
- Has stress-relieving and mood-boosting properties
- Increases property’s curb appeal
- Pet-friendly tropical palm
Cat Palm Care Guide
The Cat Palm is a tropical plant that needs sufficient light and humidity. It’s easy to grow indoors or on the porch in warmer climates. Here are some Cat Palm care tips to keep in mind:
Watering and Humidity
Cat palms require plenty of water, but they need it to drain away so the soil is never waterlogged or soggy. That’s why the pot you choose for your palm needs to be equipped with enough drainage holes. When caring for a Cat Palm, remember that it grows best in high humidity. Place its pot on a pebble tray or mist daily to provide sufficient moisture for your palm.
Light and Temperature
Your Cat Palm plant will grow best in medium to bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can scorch the palm’s tender leaves. As a tropical plant, the Cat Palm prefers warmer temperatures, ranging between 50℉ and 80℉. Keep it away from drafts and heating vents.
Soil, Repotting, and Fertilizing
Cat Palms prefer to be a little rootbound, so only repot them if you see roots growing from the drainage holes. Use a pot about 2 inches larger than the previous one, and plant your palm in well-draining soil mixed with peat moss for better root aeration. Place your Cat Palm in a spot with indirect light and high humidity to avoid transplant shock. Feed your Cat Palm monthly in the growing season.
Cat Palm: Propagation
You can propagate your palm during repotting by dividing the plant. Simply water your Cat Palm tree well before repotting and divide the clump into 2 or 3 separate plants. Make sure that you use a clean knife when cutting the roots. Wash the roots for an easier time when deciding where to cut the clump.
Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues
Prune any dead or browning leaves. You can also cut off the brown tips of your Cat Palm’s leaves. These develop due to underwatering, low humidity., or direct sunlight exposure. Yellowing leaves and leaf drops are signs of overwatering. Check that your palm’s pot has enough drainage holes, and refrain from watering too frequently.
Cat Palm Tree: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The beautiful Chamaedorea cat palm is the perfect focal point for your room. Its easy-going nature and gorgeous foliage make it one of the most popular large plants for the home and office. It also makes a magnificent gift for family and friends.
Best Locations & Uses
- Perfect palm for plant lovers with pets
- Ideal for beginner indoor gardeners
- Wonderful bedroom plant, due to its air-filtering properties
- Beautiful statement plant for large spaces
- Great as a porch plant in warmer climates
Companion Plants
The perfect companion plants for your Cataractarum Palm should thrive in medium light so that they can benefit from the same location:
- Golden Pothos Plant (Epipremnum aureum): A highly resilient best-selling plant, the Golden Pothos is perfect for darker corners of your home. It looks amazing in hanging baskets, and it’s one of the best air-purifying plants on NASA's list.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Known as one of the easiest plants to grow for beginners, the hardy ZZ Plant thrives in a variety of growing conditions. Its graceful stems and glossy leaves brighten up your living space.
- Umbrella Tree Plant (Schefflera Gold Capella): The easy-care and fast-growing Umbrella Tree Plant is another favorite choice for medium-light spaces, adding an elegant tropical note to your plant display.
Alternative Plants
If you want to check out other palms available on Lively Root, some amazing and easy-care varieties to choose from include:
- Ponytail Palm Tree (Beaucarnea recurvata): Another pet-friendly choice, the Ponytail Palm Tree is a compact and fun plant with a bushy crown of thin, long leaves growing from a sturdy trunk.
- Neanthe Bella Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): One of the easiest palms to grow indoors, the pet-friendly and air-purifying Neanthe Bella Palm will charm you with its beautiful feathery fronds.
- Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa): The delightful and pet-safe Lady Palm has vivid green, fan-like fronds growing on long stems and is another low-maintenance indoor palm.
Make Your Cat Palm the Focal Point in Your Living Space
Transform your home’s interior with a gorgeous Cat Palm for sale, letting it work its magic and generate a tropical atmosphere of calm and beauty!