What is a Cat Palm?
The cat palm (botanical name: Chamaedorea cataractarum) is a small palm native to Mexico and Guatemala that grows around 4-8 feet tall. It’s known for its elegant arching fronds that emerge in a cluster from a single thin trunk. This tropical plant prefers warm, humid environments indoors or outdoors in frost-free areas. The cat palm is also called cascade palm or cataract palm due to its weeping foliage.
Some key facts about the cat palm:
- Botanical name: Chamaedorea cataractarum
- Native to Mexico and Guatemala
- Grows 4-8 feet tall
- Has arching, weeping fronds
- Prefers warm, humid conditions
Why Do Cat Palm Leaves Turn Brown?
There are several common reasons why cat palm leaves may turn brown:
Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, leading to browning leaves. Cat palms like to dry out between waterings (source).
Underwatering causes the leaves to dry out and brown from lack of moisture. Cat palms should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry (source).
Low humidity leads to dry air around the plant, which can cause leaf browning. Ideal humidity for cat palms is 40-60% (source).
Sunburn occurs if the plant gets too much direct sunlight, especially in summer. Cat palms prefer bright, indirect light (source).
Pests like spider mites can damage the leaves and cause browning. Check under the leaves for webbing and tiny insects (source).
Older leaves naturally die off and turn brown as part of the plant’s normal growth cycle (source).
Should I Cut Off Brown Leaves?
When cat palm leaves turn brown, a natural inclination may be to trim off the unsightly foliage. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of this approach before taking action.
On the pro side, removing brown leaves can improve the visual appearance of the plant and prevent potential pest or disease issues from taking hold in dying foliage. According to experts at Davey Tree Service, “Keeping your palm trees properly pruned improves their appearance and prevents breakage” (source). Trimming brown tips or sections can tidy up the look of an otherwise healthy cat palm.
On the con side, cutting off brown leaves is often completely unnecessary, as it can be part of the natural growth process. Bloomscape notes that removing more than 30% of a plant’s foliage at one time through pruning can shock or damage the cat palm. So restraint is advised if brown leaves are not posing a major threat (source). The best approach is assessing why discoloration is occurring and addressing those underlying causes.
Overall the experts recommend selective, limited removal of truly problematic brown leaves rather than cutting off all discolored foliage, which could do more harm than good if not handled properly.
How to Cut Brown Leaves
When trimming brown leaves on a cat palm, it’s important to use the proper technique to avoid damaging the plant. Here are some tips for cutting brown leaves correctly:
Use sterilized, sharp shears. Dull shears will crush stems instead of cutting cleanly, which can open the plant up to diseases. Prior to pruning, sterilize your shears with isopropyl alcohol to prevent spreading pathogens between plants. Opt for bypass pruners or gardening shears designed for smooth, clean cuts.
Trim at the base of the frond stem as close to the trunk as possible. Leaving stubs can result in pest or fungal issues. Angle your cut parallel or slightly angled away from the direction of new growth.
Avoid damaging unopened fronds in the crown as you cut. These emerging fronds are still providing nutrients to the plant. Only remove fronds that are fully brown and dried out.
Disinfect tools afterwards. Wipe down pruners with alcohol after each use to prevent transmitting diseases between plants.
Proper sterile technique when pruning will help keep your cat palm healthy and encourage new growth. Always exercise caution when using sharp gardening tools to avoid injury.
Improving Growing Conditions
It is important for Cat Palms to be in optimal growing conditions to minimize issues like brown leaves. Here are some tips for improving the growing conditions of your Cat Palm:
Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Cat Palms prefer moist but not wet soil. Allow the soil to dry out a bit between watering to prevent root rot. Refer to this guide for details on watering frequency.
Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity. Cat Palms naturally grow in tropical forests with humid conditions. Creating a humid environment by misting will help prevent brown leaf tips caused by dry air.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight from an east or west facing window. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves. Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get adequate light exposure. Read more about proper light levels in this care guide.
Fertilize monthly during spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Fertilizing in the active growing season will provide necessary nutrients. Discontinue fertilizing in fall and winter.
Pest and Disease Prevention
Regular inspection and preventative care is key to keeping cat palms healthy and free of pests and diseases. Check the undersides of leaves and along the stems for signs of insects like spider mites or mealybugs (https://www.houseplant411.com/cat-palm/common-cat-palm-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/). Treating early infestations with neem oil spray can help deter and eliminate pests.
Improving air circulation around the cat palm and avoiding overcrowding plants can also make conditions less favorable for pests. Disinfect pruning tools with a diluted bleach solution after use on each plant to prevent spreading diseases (https://www.planetnatural.com/cat-palm/). With vigilance and preventative care, cat palms can stay healthy and pest-free.
When to Repot
Cat palms should be repotted annually in early spring, before the growing season begins. Repotting in spring gives the roots time to establish before summer. Check the roots during repotting. If the roots are circling the bottom of the pot or growing out of the drainage holes, it is time to move the cat palm to a larger container.
Use a potting mix formulated for palms or citrus plants when repotting. Knock away as much of the old soil as possible and loosen any circling roots before placing the cat palm in the new container. Fill the pot with fresh palm potting mix, spreading the roots over the soil surface. The top of the root ball should sit just below the rim of the pot. Water well after repotting.
Timely repotting prevents the cat palm from becoming root bound. Root bound palms often show signs of stress like yellow lower leaves and stunted growth. Repotting into a larger container with fresh soil allows the roots to grow freely and supply the plant with nutrients and moisture.
[1] Repot cat palms annually in the spring before growing season. [2] Move palms to a larger pot if they are rootbound. [3] Use fresh palm or citrus potting mix when repotting.
Toxicity to Pets
According to extensive research from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) [1], Cat Palms are fortunately non-toxic to both cats and dogs when ingested or chewed on. This makes the Cat Palm a good choice for homes with furry friends. However, the ASPCA notes that ingesting any part of the plant may cause minor gastrointestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea. So it’s still best to keep the Cat Palm out of reach from curious pets who may try to eat the leaves or stems.
[1] https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/chamaedorea
Other Causes of Brown Leaves
There are several other potential causes for brown leaves on a cat palm besides pests, diseases, and improper care:
Cold Damage
Cat palms are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures. If exposed to cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F, the leaves can turn brown from cold damage. Make sure to keep the palm in an area above 60°F. According to this source, brown leaf tips that curl are a sign of cold stress.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of certain nutrients can also cause browning leaves. Deficiencies in magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, nitrogen, and zinc can all lead to browning. Use a balanced palm fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients. This guide recommends fertilizing monthly in the spring and summer.
Root Rot
Overwatering can lead to root rot, where the roots are damaged by excess moisture. This prevents the roots from taking up water and nutrients properly. Let the soil dry out between waterings and ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent overwatering.
Insufficient Light
Cat palms need bright, indirect light to thrive. Low light causes the leaves to turn brown. Place the palm near an east or west facing window where it gets a few hours of sunlight per day without direct afternoon sun.
When to Remove Entire Plant
In some cases, the damage to the plant may be too extensive to save the cat palm. According to The Spruce https://www.thespruce.com/cat-palm-care-guide-7559170, the entire plant may need to be removed if there is unsalvageable damage, severe disease or infestation, or repeated leaf loss with no improvement.
Extensive leaf loss that leaves bare spots or large gaps in the foliage may indicate the plant is too far gone to recover. Signs of severe infestations of pests like spider mites or scale that do not respond to treatment may also warrant removing the plant. Diseases like lethal yellowing that have no cure are another cause for total removal.
If the plant declines to the point where most of the leaves are brown or missing, or main stems start to rot or collapse, the cat palm is unlikely to thrive again. At this stage, it is often better to discard the plant entirely and start over with a new, healthy cat palm rather than trying to rehabilitate one that is too far gone.