How to Care for a Cat Palm Tree

Position the cat palm tree where it will receive very bright, dappled light such as near a large, east- or northwest-facing window. Avoid windows with southerly exposure unless they are shaded from the outside by a tree, since the intense sunlight will burn the foliage of the cat palm tree.

Acquire a 1-inch-deep tray with a diameter measuring 3 inches larger than the base of the cat palm tree's planter. Fill the bottom of the tray with smooth, tumbled pebbles. Pour water into the tray until the the pebbles are partially submerged. Set the cat palm on the tray. Refill the water as it evaporates to maintain a high level of humidity around the plant.

Water the cat palm tree whenever the soil surface feels dry when pressed. Add water until the soil feels moist at a depth of 2 inches. Let the soil dry out slightly on the surface between waterings to keep the roots of the cat palm from becoming waterlogged.

Feed cat palm trees once a month from May until September to promote vigorous growth. Apply 8-6-6 formula fertilizer to the soil around the base of the plant. Follow the care label instructions when administering the fertilizer to keep from burning the plant's roots. Follow each feeding with a thorough watering.

Mist cat palm trees daily during the summer months to keep the fronds from turning crisp and brown along the edges. Use a plant mister filled with distilled water to mist the foliage since regular tap water is chlorinated and may damage the fronds.

Repot cat palms every three to five years in early spring. Choose a new planter that is 2 inches larger than the previous one. Pot it in standard palm-formula potting soil. Be sure to orient the cat palm so its roots rest at their original level.