Cat palm, also called cascade palm or cataract palm, is known for its elegant fronds that grow from a cluster of slender green stems. This beginner-friendly, tropical houseplant thrives when planted in well-draining soil, placed in bright, indirect light, and kept in room temperature conditions.
| Common Name | Cat palm, cascade palm, cataract palm |
| Botanical Name | Chamaedorea cataractarum |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
Can You Grow Cat Palm Inside?
As a tropical plant, cat palm grows well inside, as they appreciate typical indoor temperatures and humidity. The right lighting is crucial, as cat palms need bright, indirect light. In the proper soil and with correct watering, these plants can grow quite large and be rewarding even for beginners.
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How to Grow Cat Palm Indoors
Sunlight
Cat palms grow best with lots of bright, indirect light. Direct morning sunlight from an east-facing window is generally okay, but harsh direct sun can burn the leaves. Rotate your plant periodically to give all the foliage enough light exposure.
Temperature and Humidity
Cat palms prefer temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees during the day and in the 60-degree range at night. Temperatures below 50 degrees can damage its foliage. This plant benefits from at least 50 percent humidity.
Watering
Water your cat palm when the top of the soil has just begun to dry out. One of the most common issues with cat palms is root rot from overwatering, so do not water too often. Check saucers and cache pots to make sure your plant isn't sitting in excess water after watering.
Fertilizer
Feed cat palms with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month starting in early spring, or when you first see new growth at the start of the season. Stop fertilizing in the fall.
Pruning and Maintenance
Cat palms don't need regular pruning to look healthy, but they benefit from occasional tidying up. Use clean, sharp, sterilized shears or pruners to cut back yellow, dead, or damaged fronds at the base of the plant as they appear.
Container and Size
When choosing a container for your cat palm, terracotta or clay is best, because these materials wick away excess moisture. Though a cat palm ultimately may grow large, choose a pot that matches the plant's current size, for now.
You want a container that is just slightly bigger than the root ball. If you put your cat palm in a container that is too large, you increase the likelihood of rot.
Potting Soil and Drainage
Cat palms don't like "wet feet," so it's important to plant them in a loose, fast-draining potting mix that will hold moisture while allowing excess water to drain away. You can purchase a pre-made mix specifically created for palms, or make your own by combining potting mix with equal parts pine bark and perlite.
Potting and Repotting
Cat palms are slow-growing plants, especially when kept indoors. They also don't respond well to having their roots disturbed, so it's better to let them become slightly potbound before repotting. Plan to repot your cat palm every three years or so.
When repotting, choose a pot that is only a couple inches wider than the current pot. Carefully remove the plant from its old pot, place it in the newer pot, and backfill around it with a well-draining potting mix.
Moving Cat Palm Outdoors for the Summer
Moving a cat palm outdoors for the summer provides the plant with natural conditions and can boost its growth. However, it's important to do so only when the temperatures are correct, and the plant should not be placed in direct sunlight.
Considerations
Cat palms prefer warm temperates, so they shouldn't be moved outdoors until night conditions are regularly above 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants are not frost-tolerant, and freezing conditions will kill them.
Additionally, cat palms should not be placed in direct sun, which will burn their fronds. Partial or dappled shade is ideal. And regardless of where you plan to keep the cat palm all summer, you will need to transition it to outside conditions over the course of a few days to avoid shock or burning.
When to Bring Cat Palm Back Inside
As summer begins to wind down, keep your eye on the night forecast. Don't forget to bring your cat palm indoors before it gets cold again. Remember, these plants prefer temperatures above 60 degrees, even at night. When the night temperatures are consistently in the 50s, it's time to move your cat palm back inside.
Give your cat palm a close pest inspection before it re-joins your other houseplants. Back inside, put it in a warm, bright area.
FAQ
Do cat palms need direct sunlight?
Cat palms grow best in bright, indirect light. A few hours of direct sun in the morning is okay, but harsh afternoon sunlight can burn your plant's leaves.
Do cat palms like being misted?
Cat palms like humidity levels over 50 percent, but misting doesn't recreate the humid environment many houseplants need and can even create the conditions for plant diseases to take hold. Instead, run a humidifier in the room with your cat palm, or group it with several other humidity-loving plants to create a microclimate with more moisture in the air.
How do you propagate cat palm?
Mature cat palms can be easily propagated via division. Remove the plant from its pot, and you should see easily dividable sections. Using a clean knife or pruners, sever a section with some roots. Pot the new plant in potting soil and water well.
Why is my cat palm turning yellow or brown?
There are multiple reasons a cat palm's fronds could be yellowing and/or browning, but one of the most common is too much sun. These plants should not receive more than a few hours of direct sunlight per day, and harsh, midday sun can burn them. Overwatering can also cause yellowing leaves. Use a moisture meter to evaluate the soil, and only water once it's dry.
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Garden Myths. Penn State Cooperative Extension.
