Stella Palm | Chamaedorea cataractarum ‘Stella’

Chamaedorea cataractarum ‘Stella’, better known as the Stella Palm, is a new generation of premium indoor palm with a beautifully full, architectural shape and masses of rich green, arching fronds. Developed specifically with indoor performance in mind, Stella combines the soft, tropical appearance of a classic palm with a stronger root system and naturally dense, stable growth.

Supplied as an impressive specimen in a 24cm diameter nursery pot at approximately 150cm+ tall, this is a substantial floor-standing plant with immediate presence. Unlike the more familiar Parlour Palm, Stella forms a broad, naturally clumping plant with foliage emerging from multiple stems, creating a lush silhouette without needing a single trunk.

What Makes the Stella Palm Different?

Stella was developed to address some of the frustrations traditionally associated with large indoor palms, particularly inconsistent shape, weak root systems and deterioration after transport or prolonged periods indoors.

Its production system has been designed to create a strong multi-rooted plant with a naturally full, balanced structure. The result is a dense palm with rich green foliage that holds its shape beautifully and is intended to adapt reliably to everyday indoor environments.

Importantly, Stella does not require tropical greenhouse conditions once it reaches your home. The official Stella growing guidance specifically states that it is suited to normal household humidity, making it particularly appealing if you love the look of palms but do not want a plant requiring constant misting or a humidifier.

Light & Position

Stella Palm grows best in bright, indirect light, but one of its useful characteristics is its ability to adapt to moderate indoor light levels.

Position it close to a bright window but away from prolonged strong midday sunshine through glass. A little gentle morning or evening sun is usually fine.

Although Stella can cope with less-than-perfect light, it should not be treated as a plant for a genuinely dark corner. Better natural light will support fuller, healthier growth and help maintain its rich green colour.

Watering

Allow the upper layer of compost to dry slightly before watering, then water thoroughly and allow excess water to drain away. Stella appreciates relatively consistent moisture but should never be left sitting in waterlogged compost.

With a large 24cm nursery pot, always check the compost beneath the surface before watering. A pot of this size can remain moist for considerably longer than a smaller houseplant, particularly during winter.

Avoid allowing the root ball to remain completely dry for prolonged periods. The underlying species, Chamaedorea cataractarum, naturally grows in moist habitats and is less drought tolerant than some other indoor palms.

Humidity & Temperature

One of Stella's most useful qualities is that it is designed to perform well in normal household humidity. There is no need for regular misting or unusually humid conditions.

Indoor temperatures between approximately 15–25°C suit it well. Protect the plant from cold draughts, sudden temperature changes and the direct heat of radiators.

Feeding

Feed approximately once a month during spring and summer while the palm is actively growing using a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser.

Reduce or stop feeding during autumn and winter when growth naturally slows.

Growth & Care

Unlike a palm that develops a single dominant trunk, Chamaedorea cataractarum has a naturally clumping growth habit. New stems develop from the base, gradually creating an increasingly broad and lush specimen.

Remove individual older fronds only once they have become completely yellow or brown, cutting them cleanly close to the base. There is no need to prune healthy green foliage simply to maintain the plant's shape.

When repotting eventually becomes necessary, choose a free-draining houseplant growing medium and move up only one pot size. Large palms are much easier to manage when they are kept in proportion to their root system rather than being placed into an unnecessarily oversized container.

Where Does Stella Palm Come From?

Stella Palm is based on Chamaedorea cataractarum, an accepted palm species native to southern Mexico. The species is also known as the Cat Palm or Cascade Palm and naturally forms dense clumps rather than a single upright trunk.

The commercial Stella programme has a different production story. Its development begins in Central America, including propagation in Costa Rica, before plants are finished for the European market. This controlled production process is part of what gives Stella its unusually consistent, full structure.

Is Stella Palm a New Variety?

Stella is a new commercial introduction for 2026, but it is not a newly discovered palm species. It has been developed from Chamaedorea cataractarum through a long-term cultivation and production programme focused on stronger roots, improved structure and reliable indoor performance.

The plant is now widely traded as Chamaedorea cataractarum ‘Stella’ and marketed internationally under the Stella Palm name.

How Is Stella Different from a Parlour Palm?

Although both belong to the genus Chamaedorea, Stella Palm and the familiar Parlour Palm are different species. The Parlour Palm is Chamaedorea elegans, while Stella is based on Chamaedorea cataractarum.

Stella develops a much larger, broader and more naturally clumping shape, making it particularly well suited to use as a substantial floor-standing statement plant. Its long arching fronds give it a softer, more luxuriant appearance than the typically finer, more upright Parlour Palm.

Why You'll Love It

• Impressive 150cm+ floor-standing specimen
• New premium indoor palm introduced to the European market in 2026
• Beautifully full, naturally clumping shape
• Rich green arching foliage with a soft tropical appearance
• Developed with strong roots and structural stability in mind
• Adapts to moderate as well as bright indirect indoor light
• Suitable for normal household humidity
• A distinctive alternative to Areca and Parlour Palms
• Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs

Pet & Child Safety

Chamaedorea palms are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs, making Stella a particularly appealing choice for pet-friendly homes. As with any houseplant, eating a large quantity of foliage can still cause digestive upset, so we recommend discouraging pets and young children from chewing the plant.

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Chamaedorea cataractarum ‘Stella’
Trade Name: Stella Palm
Common Names: Stella Palm / Cat Palm / Cascade Palm
Family: Arecaceae
Native Species Range: Southern Mexico
Nursery Pot Size: 24cm diameter
Approximate Height: 150cm+
Fits Decorative Pot Size: 27cm+
Growth Habit: Upright / broad / clump-forming
Position: Bright indirect to moderate light
Temperature: Ideally 15–25°C
Humidity: Normal household humidity
Pet Friendly: Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs

Delivery & Collection

Due to its size, this plant is available for collection from our Edinburgh shop or local hand delivery within Edinburgh only. It is not suitable for standard UK postal delivery.

Please note: As this is a living plant, the exact height, width, number of stems and shape of the foliage will naturally vary.