Question
I just bought a chamaedorea cataractarum (cat) palm at Costco - beautiful and healthy.  The tag on it says "requires filtered natural light or good office light. Allow soil surface - to just begin to dry, then water until a small amount of water exits bottom of pot."   I have watered it once since I got it about 1 week ago.  The lower leaves are yellow and spotting - which I thought meant too much water.  But in my web surfing it appears this plant needs lots and lots of water.  The plant is in a 10" pot and is about 2 - 3 feet tall.  It is near a window but not in direct light.   What do you suggest?

Answer
Melissa,

You didn't say whether you have it outdoors in filtered light or indoors under florescent office light. Under florescent light it needs the lights on at least 14 hours a day, 7 days a week and there needs to be at least 2 light fixtures in the room or more if it is a large room. It needs what you would perceive as very bright light equal to daylight all day. If it is not in an office with florescent light it needs to be in direct light next to that window to get bright enough light. It will not burn the plant because the sun is not that direct and if you are in a newer building there is a good chance there is some tinting on the window.  Yes, you need to allow soil surface - to just begin to dry, then water until a small amount of water exits bottom of pot."   It also needs high humidity. This plant hates dry air. You need to put a humidifier near it or a cool mist vaporizer or at the very least you need to have a drain tray under the pot to collect the excess water and a 2nd larger drain tray under that that you should keep filled with water to evaporate around the plant and keep it more humid. Cat palms are difficult to grow indoors. A better palm for indoors is a bamboo palm. Outdoors in south Florida where it is humid and they can be watered frequently they are quite happy. Good luck.

Darlene