Question

My Cat Palm   I just purchased a cat palm two weeks ago and it was looking lovely until the past 24 hours. It is by a Northwest facing window, however directly under a heat vent. As of today it is leaning towards the window so much that it will tip the pot over if not leaning against something. I am thinking I have to move the plant, but am not 100% sure if that is the right thing to do. I am also noticing that some of the leaves are turning yellow at the tips and becoming more transparent. Please help me save this plant. I do not have a green thumb, in fact I think it may be black, but I really want to learn, so basic care information would also be great. I have read some conflicting information online, and am not exactly sure the correct answers. My palm is in a 10 inch pot from the store, and has not been repotted, which I read should not be done until roots are visible? I have also included a picture, because sometimes that can provide further insight.

Answer
Hi Angela,

I am having difficulty accounting for your Cat Palm's severe lean after just two weeks. Sometimes plants will lean after they have faced a window for a very long time, but two weeks is way too short for that to happen.

If the plant's football was dislodged from the pot during transport and not situated back in the pot properly that might cause the severe lean. If so, resetting the plant back in its pot would remedy the problem.

You mentioned that the pot itself is in danger of tipping over. If it is the pot itself that is leaning and not just the plant (I cannot see the pot in the photo you posted), then my educated guess is that you are allowing the soil to become too dry. When the soil is completely saturated (as it should be after proper watering), the soil should be heavy enough to keep the pot and plant upright. Cat Palms do not like dry soil and yours should be watered thoroughly (until a bit of water trickles through the drainage holes) as soon as the surface of the soil feels almost dry.

If the plant is simply so top heavy that it is causing the pot to tip over, then I suggest that you insert the 10-inch nursery pot and plant inside of a a slightly larger terra cotta pot. The weight of the terra cotta pot will keep the plant from tipping over. This double-potting allows you to avoid repotting, which is not a good idea.

The north window is a good location for a Cat Palm. Just be sure that the fronds do not touch the icy cold glass or are exposed to drafts when the window is opened. Although the overhead heat vent is not ideal, it should not cause any harm as long as you keep the soil properly moist.

The leaf-tipping you mentioned is due to improper watering. That could be either keeping the soil constantly wet or, more likely, allowing the soil to dry too deeply into the pot. Finally, if your tap water is very hard, then use filtered or distilled water.

I have written an article on the care of indoor Palms that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to PlantCareExperts.com