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.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
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.
Temperatures below 50 degrees can damage its foliage.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
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.
Check saucers and cache pots to double-check your plant isn’t sitting in excess water after watering.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Stop fertilizing in the fall.
You want a container that is just slightly bigger than the root ball.
Potting and Repotting
Cat palms are slow-growing plants, especially when kept indoors.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
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.
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.
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.
Give your cat palm a close pest inspection before it re-joins your other houseplants.
Back inside, put it in a warm, bright area.
Cat palms grow best in bright, indirect light.
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.
Overwatering can also cause yellowing leaves.
Use a moisture meter to evaluate the soil, and only water once it’s dry.
Garden Myths.Penn State Cooperative Extension.
