Plant guide
Windmill palm
Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill palm is considered non-toxic to cats. This fan-leaved palm can grow in a large outdoor container. It is unrelated to the toxic sago palm.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Trachycarpus fortunei only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Trachycarpus fortunei
By Ji-Elle
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Trachycarpus fortunei
By Ji-Elle
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Windmill palm
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Trachycarpus fortunei and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Trachycarpus fortunei
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Trachycarpus fortunei only; the light and water categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Sun or partial shade is suitable; shelter from strong wind.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Maintain moist, well-drained soil.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A preferred numerical growing range was not established in the reviewed source.
- Potting
- A loamy or sandy soil with good drainage is suitable.
- Through the year
- In colder climates, container plants can overwinter indoors.
Growing-guide sources
- Trachycarpus fortunei - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named species; garden conditions are not relabeled as indoor requirements.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Windmill palm: plant safety reference ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed
The ASPCA entry names the exact species and explicitly classifies it as non-toxic to cats. NC State supplies identity and growing guidance.
- Windmill palm: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .