Native Plants

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A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Thursday - November 18, 2010

From: Naples, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Care for non-native cat palm
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Purchased 3 new cataractarum palms-3ft. high for indoors--how can I know when to water or how often?? I am from Canada & in Naples Florida for 6 months--I am a novice to these plants

ANSWER:

Chamaedorea cataractarum, Cat Palm, is native to northeastern Mexico and therefore falls out of our expertise. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native to North America (excluding Mexico) and to the area in which they are being grown. However, we found a website from the Northern California Chapter of the Palm Society with good information on the use and care of this plant.