Image: AI generated
Cat Palm Plant Care
Chamaedorea cataractarum Mart.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chamaedorea cataractarum, the cat palm, cascade palm, or cataract palm, is a small palm tree. It is native to Southern Mexico and Central America.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Cat Palm?
Water Cat Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Cat Palm Native To?
What Is the Cat Palm?
Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Chamaedorea genus. Cat Palm is native to Southern Mexico and Central America. Cat Palm is also known as Cathedral Palm, Dwarf Cascade Palm, Water Bamboo.
Cat Palm displays a slow-growing, clumping palm growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Cat Palm produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cat Palm?
Chamaedorea cataractarum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Cat Palm Need?
Cat Palm thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Cat Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cat Palm Prefer?
Chamaedorea cataractarum grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Cat Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cat Palm?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Cat Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cat Palm?
Feed Cat Palm every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Cat Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cat Palm?
Cat Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to parlor palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cat Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cat Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cat Palm?
Cat Palm is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Cat Palm Need?
Cat Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Cat Palm is native to Southern Mexico and Central America. In cooler regions, grow Cat Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Cat Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chamaedorea genus — compare its care with other Chamaedorea species on PlantoScan.
Chamaedorea is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Cat Palm copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chamaedorea cataractarum Mart., family Arecaceae (first published in Hist. Nat. Palm. 3: 309 (1849)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cat Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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