What is a Cat Palm?
The cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) is a type of palm tree native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala.
It is also known by several other common names including cascade palm, cataract palm, cat palm, bamboo palm, and miniature fishtail palm.
The cat palm is a tropical plant that features a slender, upright stem with graceful, feathery fronds emerging from the top. The fronds are pinnate, meaning they resemble a feather or fern leaf, with leaflets arranged on both sides of the rachis or stem.
The leaves are light to medium green in color and can grow up to 3 feet long. Leaflets are narrow, typically about 2 inches long and just a quarter inch wide.
The cat palm grows in a clustering habit, with multiple stems emerging from the base to form a clump. It rarely exceeds 8-10 feet in indoor settings but can potentially reach up to 20 feet tall in ideal outdoor tropical conditions.
Small yellow flowers may occasionally bloom in summer if the plant is healthy and mature. The flowers are followed by tiny white berry-like fruits around 1/4 inch in diameter.
Taxonomy of Cat Palms
The cat palm belongs to the Arecaceae plant family, which contains over 200 genera and over 2,600 species of palms. Within the Arecaceae family, the cat palm falls under the genus Chamaedorea, which comprises over 100 different species of small, graceful palms.
The scientific name for the cat palm is Chamaedorea cataractarum. The genus name Chamaedorea comes from the Greek words “chamae” meaning “dwarf” and “dorea” meaning “gift”, referring to the dwarf nature of these palms. The species name “cataractarum” refers to its native habitat near waterfalls and cascades in Central America.
Some other common names for Chamaedorea cataractarum include cascade palm, cataract palm, and simply cat palm. It is sometimes confused with the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) which is a closely related species. However, the cat palm can be distinguished by its thin, bamboo-like stems and more delicate, lacy fronds.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaedorea_cataractarum
Growth Habitat
The cat palm is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. In the wild, it grows as an understory plant in shady areas under the tree canopy. Its natural habitat ranges from southern Mexico down to Bolivia. The cat palm thrives in humid environments, with high rainfall and warm temperatures year-round. It can grow in both lowland tropical rainforests as well as cloud forests located at higher elevations up to 5,000 feet. Cat palms grow densely together in clumps or groups within the rainforest understory. They tend to proliferate along stream banks and in moist ravines where soil drainage is good.
Size and Lifespan
The cat palm trees typically grow 6 to 10 feet tall over time. Though a slow grower, these plants can reach up to 3 feet in height when kept indoors. According to The Spruce, cat palms can take up to 10 years to reach their mature size of around three feet tall when grown indoors.
The cat palm trees can live 10 to 20 years or longer when cared for properly. With the right growing conditions, these palms often outlive their life expectancy and thrive for many years in homes and offices.
In its natural outdoor habitat, the cat palm can grow much larger, up to 10-20 feet tall. However, their indoor size is limited by the container they are growing in.
Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/cat-palm-care-guide-7559170
https://www.respirecali.com/product-page/cat-palm-chamaedorea-cataractarum
Care and Maintenance
Cat palms grow best in bright, humid environments with plenty of indirect sunlight, like in the home or office. They prefer low to moderate light. Place your cat palm where it receives bright indirect sunlight for several hours per day. Direct morning sun is generally okay, but harsh direct sun can burn the fronds. Low light causes leaf yellowing and drop [1].
Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom drainage holes, then allow the excess water to drain away. The plant enjoys evenly moist soil but does not tolerate soggy or wet feet. Allow more of the soil to dry out in the winter when growth slows down [2].
Fertilize cat palms every two weeks in the spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half strength. Discontinue fertilizing over the winter. Re-pot every 2-3 years in the spring, moving it to a container only one size larger.
Propagation
Cat palms can be propagated in a few different ways:
From Seeds: Cat palm seeds can be sown to produce new plants. The seeds need to be fresh and sown as soon as ripe. Sow the seeds in a well-draining potting mix and keep them evenly moist. Germination can take 1-3 months. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright indirect light.
Division: Mature cat palm plants will produce suckers or offshoots from the base. These offshoots can be carefully divided and repotted to produce new plants. Make sure each division has some roots attached when separating them from the parent plant. Allow divisions to dry for 2-3 days before repotting.
Offshoots: As the cat palm grows, it will produce offshoots, also known as pups, at the base. These offshoots have their own small root system and can be removed and potted up individually. Use a clean, sharp tool to detach the offshoots and allow to dry for a few days before planting.
According to sources:
https://a-z-animals.com/plants/cat-palm-plant/
https://greg.app/propagate-cat-palm/
Pests and Diseases
Cat palms can be susceptible to certain pests and diseases. Some of the most common include:
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking bugs that attach themselves to leaves and stems. They secrete a waxy coating that protects them from sprays. Heavy infestations can cause yellowing, stunting, and leaf loss. Remove scales with a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as needed. [1]
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They look like small tufts of cotton on leaves and stems. Mealybugs excrete sticky honeydew that can lead to sooty mold growth. Knock off visible mealybugs with a spray of water or cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. [2]
Root Rot
Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot in cat palms. Waterlogged soil leads to fungal infections that cause roots and lower stems to turn brown and mushy. Symptoms include leaf yellowing, wilt, and eventual death. Improve drainage and only water when the top few inches become dry. Remove damaged roots and stems and repot in fresh, sterile soil. [3]
Uses
The cat palm is a very popular houseplant thanks to its easy maintenance requirements and graceful appearance. Its lush green foliage and upright growth habit make it an attractive accent plant that adds a tropical flair to indoor spaces. Cat palms are excellent plants for offices and other commercial settings because they thrive under fluorescent lighting. Their slender trunks and arching fronds work well for softening edges and filling narrow spaces as a floor plant or on tables and desktops. Cat palms are also commonly used in interior landscaping to add visual interest and a tropical ambiance without taking up much floor space. Their compact size allows them to be arranged in groups and rows in malls, hotel lobbies, and other large interior public areas. Outdoor landscapers also utilize cat palm’s clean lines and graceful shape for screening and creating accent points in subtropical garden designs. They are especially useful for accenting entryways, planting in containers on patios and pool areas, and adding texture along borders and beds. Their tidy, dense clumps and smooth trunks make cat palms desirable for both formal and informal landscape settings.
Toxicity
Despite the name, cat palms are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA [1]. The ASPCA states that cat palms are not known to be significantly toxic, but all plants should be kept out of reach from pets to prevent possible skin irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
There has been some debate on cat palm toxicity. Some sources cite the presence of saponins that can cause minor irritation [2]. However, overall toxicity seems low and there are no reports of fatal poisoning. As with any plant ingestion, signs of irritation or illness should receive prompt veterinary attention.
In summary, cat palms are considered non-toxic for cats and dogs according to major sources like the ASPCA. However, supervision is still advised around all household plants to prevent irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
So, Is a Cat Palm a Tree?
While the cat palm may not match the towering height that often comes to mind when picturing a tree, it does meet most standard definitions of a tree. According to the University of Illinois Extension, a tree is typically defined as “a woody plant having one erect perennial stem (trunk) at least three inches in diameter at a height of four and one half feet above the ground, a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a mature height of at least 13 feet.”
The cat palm has a definite trunk, even if it only reaches a few feet in height rather than over 13 feet. It is also considered a woody plant. So while much smaller than many tree varieties, the cat palm can technically be classified as a true tree rather than just a palm or shrub. Its treelike growth habit sets it apart from other clustering palm varieties that have no trunk development.
The National Arbor Day Foundation includes palm trees like the cat palm in their definition of a tree as well, stating “Trees can be defined as tall, woody plants that possess a single trunk. Trees differ from shrubs in that shrubs have multiple woody stems and are usually shorter. Trees also differ from palms that have no woody stems and no branching of stems.” So by the Arbor Day Foundation’s standards, having a definite trunk/stem allows the cat palm to qualify as a true tree species.
While cat palms reach modest heights more akin to large shrubs, their growth habit and structure align more with the definition of a tree. So in most regards, the cat palm can be considered a miniature palm tree rather than just a shrub or ground cover.