What's eating my cat palm?

Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) indoors is most frequently attacked by spider mites, which cause the fine leaflets to turn yellow and brown in the dry air of heated rooms. Scale insects colonize the dense multi-stem clumping base. Mealybugs also appear. Its dense foliage makes thorough spraying essential — mites hide deep in the canopy.

Leaflets develop yellow or tan stippling then turn fully brown, starting on lower or inner fronds; fine webbing visible deep in the dense foliage. Shower the entire plant forcefully to dislodge mites; increase humidity to 50%+; apply neem oil or miticide spray weekly for 3–4 weeks.

Tan or brown waxy bumps on petioles, stems, and along the midribs of fronds; yellowing fronds and sticky residue on lower leaves. Scrub accessible surfaces with a soft brush and insecticidal soap; apply horticultural oil spray thoroughly. Repeat every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.

White cottony fluff at the base of stems and in the tight crown; honeydew deposit causes lower fronds to become sticky and dark. Treat clusters with alcohol swabs; spray the crown and base with insecticidal soap. Repeat weekly and isolate the plant until clear.