Overview
Cat palm is a dense, trunkless clumping palm with many slender stems and soft arching feather fronds.
Mature Size and Habit
It commonly matures about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, forming a full fountain-shaped mass from the base.
Best Landscape Uses
Use it for soft screening, shaded foundations, protected pool areas, courtyards, or large containers.
Sunlight
Bright shade or partial sun is best. Strong afternoon sun can bleach or scorch foliage.
Soil, Drainage, and Irrigation
Keep the root zone evenly moist in fertile, well-drained soil. Cat palm is less drought tolerant than many landscape palms and declines in dry sandy beds.
Best Planting Season for Tampa and Central Florida
Plant from spring through early fall while soil is warm and irrigation is dependable.
Pruning and Maintenance
Remove only fully brown fronds, clean out dead stems at the base, and use a palm-appropriate fertilizer when nutrient symptoms appear.
Wildlife Value
Dense foliage provides shelter for small birds and other garden wildlife.
Cold and Heat Sensitivity
Cold wind and frost burn the foliage. Use a protected location away from hot reflected surfaces.
Safety, Roots, and Placement Warnings
No major toxicity, thorn, or aggressive-root concern is known.
Invasive Concerns
Cat palm is native to Mexico, not Florida, and is not generally considered invasive in maintained landscapes.
Helpful Resources
Local Delivery
Local delivery only in approved South Tampa ZIP codes. $600.00 minimum plant order. $100.00 flat delivery fee. Ecoscape will contact you to schedule delivery.
