Cat Palm Rescue: Drainage, Moisture, and Light

Saving a Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) with Brown New Growth

Cat palms are finicky: they need consistently moist but not soggy soil, bright indirect light, and perfect drainage.

What Went Wrong

• No drainage holes: Adding holes to the bottom of a cachepot doesn't work if the inner pot sits in water. The roots at the bottom rot.
• Added soil at bottom: This raises the perched water table, worsening rot.
• Inconsistent watering: "When soil starts to dry" is too vague for this species.

Fix It Now

1. Remove plant from the pot-with-no-holes.
2. Discard the added bottom soil.
3. Repot into a pot with multiple drainage holes (same size or slightly larger).
4. Use a light, peat-based mix with perlite.
5. Water thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry (not "starts to dry"—feels dry).
6. Place in bright indirect light (north/east window or 3–4 ft from south/west).

Spider Mite Alert

Stressed cat palms attract spider mites. Check leaf undersides weekly for fine webbing. Spray with soapy water at first sign.

If root rot isn't advanced, new growth should stop browning within weeks.