Plants / Cat Palm

Cat Palm

Chamaedorea cataractarum

Also known as: Cataract Palm, Cascade Palm

ðŸū Pet-safeArecaceaeModerate to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating Cat Palm: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

Cat Palm care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Bright, indirect light; a clumping palm that tolerates medium light.
💧 Water
Keep evenly moist; water when the top inch dries and avoid letting it fully dry out.
ðŸŠī Soil
Rich, well-draining potting mix.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Prefers 50%+ humidity.
ðŸū Toxicity
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (per ASPCA).

Track your cat palm cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

How to propagate Cat Palm

Division

Difficulty: ModerateTimeline: Establishes in 4-8 weeks.
  1. Unpot the clump and identify sections with their own stems and roots.
  2. Separate a clump with a clean knife, keeping plenty of roots.
  3. Pot the division into fresh well-draining mix at the same depth.
  4. Keep warm, humid and evenly moist while it re-establishes.

Common Cat Palm problems & fixes

Brown leaf tips

Low humidity, salts/fluoride in tap water, or underwatering. Use filtered water, raise humidity, and keep soil lightly moist.

Yellowing fronds

Overwatering or a nutrient gap. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings and feed during the growing season.

Spider mites (fine webbing)

Common on palms in dry air. Rinse the foliage, raise humidity, and treat with insecticidal soap.

Track your cat palm cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.