Sorry—no easy answer here! So why did I ship my ponytail palm off to live there? However, if you want to grow multiple trunks on a ponytail palm, you can take the drastic action of cutting off the plant’s growing tip. Also check out my DIY test tube propagation station—and a version with glass jars. We want to let all of our customers know that we have precautionary measures in place to ensure the safety and wellness of our customers and employees! Supervisory staff is secondarily monitoring all workers for signs of illness and are sending home anyone who displays symptoms of illness prior to their entrance to our facility. Choosing a pot that is about 2 inches wider that then bulbous base of the plant is best. Any staff with remote work capabilities are working from home. 1. Water again once the top 2 inches of soil are dry (once a week or so). We offer online meetings for your comfort. All staff members are currently wearing face masks while in trucks, in the office, and on our property. They do well when rootbound; however, you should repot this plant when it has … I knew it would do well, and I wasn’t ready to give him up yet. Here’s my other 1 which has put out a lot of growth this spring & summer too. After choosing your location, dig a hole that is three times as big around as the container the palm … The dark green leaves, up to five feet long and 3/4 of an inch wide, are produced in tufts clustered at the tips of branches. But growing a ponytail palm outdoors is actually more common, believe it or not! In the Southwest deserts, it grows much smaller. In the past, it has been classified as either Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata, but the latter is now the correct classification of this plant. I couldn’t blame him really. How to Paint Terracotta Pots: The Ultimate Guide! When grown outdoors, it is best planted in a cactus/succulent … ... Its slow growth rate makes it ideal for beginners who have no prior experience with bonsai or even houseplants. If the tips of your otherwise beautiful curly leaves are browning, it could be a number of things. If you could find a 4′ Ponytail, the cost would average $250. When he would get to it, he’d nibble on it and then barf it up. However, it’s a palm in name only—it’s not actually a palm (Arecaceae family). That’s because this plant has a rough trunk with an exterior resembling an elephant’s skin. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. The ponytail palm is a houseplant tree with distinct features. Check out my guides on propagating pothos plants, snake plants, peperomia, string of pearls, succulents, monstera deliciosa, and prickly pear cactus pads. The ASPCA says they are not toxic to pets. How to Grow a Ponytail Palm Outside. Thanks for signing up! Finally, if you fertilize your plants, make sure you’re not giving your ponytail palm too much fertilizer. This upright, fine-textured evergreen tree grows very slowly up to 30 feet in height but rarely exceeds 10 feet. Its palm … The easiest way to limit a palm tree's growth is selecting the right species for your needs. We are staffed and ready to serve you with all your landscape installations, landscape maintenance, arborist issues and irrigation repair needs! Fertilize only according to your succulent fertilizer’s instructions, and don’t approach it with the mentality that “more is better.”. While the ponytail palm is a very easy plant to take care of, it’s not without its problems. The ponytail palm is a unique specimen planting that can be integrated into many landscape or xeriscape situations. But it gets even … You’ll also love my guides on how to take care of monstera plants, how to take care of pothos plants, how to take care of rubber plants, caring for peperomia plants, and how to care for philodendron. So I decided to let this little one live in my office’s atrium for a bit. It’s officially named Beaucarnea recurvata, which you will literally never hear it called. As mentioned before, overwatering can lead to root rot. The decorative ponytail plant is native to dry, desert regions of Mexico and the southern United States. Choosing The Right Palm. This plant is hardy to the low to mid twenties Fahrenheit, and if hit by a hard freeze, it recovers slowly in the spring. It’s in her kitchen next to a door. Ponytail palm is a grass-like evergreen with a large, bulbous base, long, swollen trunk, and palm-like features. Since ponytail palms don’t like their roots sitting in water, pairing well-draining soil with a pot that has adequate drainage is best. Plant details. Doing so will force your plant to grow multiple trunks that will begin to emerge at the soil level all around the original base of the plant. I can’t emphasize it enough—as with all succulents, do not overwater! He would knock things over, including other plants, trying to get to the ponytail palm’s delicious-looking curly leaves. It grows to between 12 and 18 feet tall when mature, with a spread of 10 to … Ponytail Palms can tolerate almost any soil type but prefer well-draining areas. Talk to you soon! That’s why the taller ones are so expensive. Indoors, the leaves can get up to 3 feet long, but outdoors, they may be double that length. Unless you live in the warmer parts of the South it’s unlikely your own palm will match its species’ maximum growth rate, but it could still gain size at an impressive … Yes! Try to find ways to increase humidity to prevent this from happening in the future. If you want to move your ponytail palm outside during the summer, definitely avoid direct sunlight outdoors. The biggest side effect I experienced was Henry nibbling the leaves and barfing because they aren’t meant to be eaten. The ponytail palm produces narrow, bright green, slender leaves that grow in dense, mop-like, long, showy clusters, forming a tight rosette. I did this while repotting the plan. Growth Rate. We have regular staff meetings, all with the above safety measures in place, to continue working together as a team to ensure your safety and ours. These plants grow very slowly, especially as houseplants. It was chosen due to the slow growth rate that it experiences. I repotted & top dressed this Ponytail Palm early last year. A lose-lose situation. A distinctive plant, ponytail palm has a greatly swollen trunk base (sometimes to seven feet across) that narrowly tapers and eventually branches in older specimens. It can be difficult to keep houseplant that prefer high humidity happy indoors. Ponytail palms are fabulously unpicky when it comes to soil and potting. Posted on Published: December 1, 2019 - Last updated: July 8, 2020 Categories Plants & Gardening. Caring for ponytail palm outdoors requires a knowledge of ponytail palm … Ponytail palm plant care in this circumstance dictates that the plant be exposed to the increased light and altered temperature gradually, over a number of days or weeks. You can pick up a bag at any garden store, or you can cut some costs and make your own in bulk using a DIY succulent soil recipe. Here’s a pic, but full disclaimer, she knows it needs a little trimming and tidying up and is getting cramped in this spot: Want more plant care tips? Any staff showing signs or symptoms of illness are being advised to stay home. And don’t overwater! Use this interesting specimen in large containers, as a showy accent, in tropical or in transitional landscapes, in pool areas, or around fountains, ponds, or courtyards. It grows to heights of thirty feet or more and twelve feet wide. You get to take advantage of the full spring, summer, fall, and winter growth … If planting a row of foxtails, place them at least 6 feet apart. Water, temperature, and humidity needs are all easy when it comes to how to care for a ponytail palm plant. I don’t think I’d ever have the guts to do this! As with all houseplants, I do not recommend adults, children, or pets ingest them. Ponytail palms typically are very low maintenance and do not require pruning. However, due to the Ponytail’s slow rate of growth, you probably won’t have to repot again for several years. This was back when we lived in an apartment, and I was limited on where I could put my plants. This bulbous base resembles the elephant’s foot because it tapers up into the plants stem or trunk. Ponytail palms have a slow growth rate, and at the most will only need repotting every 2 or 3 years. You can maintain a smaller size plant by keeping it in smaller containers, … It is native to the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosi. Growth rate: 12-18ft tall and … I have never personally propagated a ponytail palm plant, but I am planning to work on it and update this post when I can. This would leave me with ugly nibbled-on leaves and cat barf to clean up. . Since then, it’s grown quite a bit. First, check if your plant is getting too much sun; direct sun can “burn” the tips. *Our plant guide provides informational resources regarding plants that we commonly use. We obtain necessary materials for installation purposes only, and recommend consulting a nursery or supplier for direct purchasing needs. They tend to look like perky ponytails. The overall height and … Frequent & thorough hand washing by all staff. So I decided to bring this now quite large plant home. A Ponytail Palm … Now, it's known that old and mature pygmy date palms … We are lucky to have a lovely atrium in my building that is filled with plants. Leaves that are turning yellow or a trunk/stem that is beginning to look mushy or rotted is a sign of root rot induced by overwatering. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Ponytail palm is a low-maintenance plant and a slow to moderate grower. https://www.bybrittanygoldwyn.com/how-to-care-for-a-ponytail-palm Root congestion limits growth and vitality in ponytails just as it limits same in other plants. However, the ponytail palm growth rate is much lower (yes, turtle-slow) indoors. Oddly enough, a ponytail palm tree is neither a palm nor a tree. Burying even a small part of the stem can lead to rot. copyright © 2021 Horticulture Unlimited, Inc. All rights reserved. You can cut these babies off, let them heal over for a few days, dip in rooting hormone, and then replant in their own pot. The base of each ponytail palm tapers up to a slender, graceful trunk, which is why a common name for this plant is “bottle palm.” Ponytail palms are native to Mexico, and gardeners in … If you’re planting in a pot that doesn’t make a drainage hole, make sure you build a layer of drainage into the bottom of the pot. Bright, indirect sunlight will help a ponytail palm thrive as a houseplant. Wait until spring, then use a wooden stick to pull the dry soil off the root system of your ponytail palm… Growth Rate The ponytail palm grows quite slowly outdoors, which means it grows less than 12 inches each year. The "Ponytail Palm… In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent. For more details, review my privacy policy. A slow-grower that can reportedly live for decades, or even centuries, it’s no wonder that the ponytail palm … Much like elephant ear plants and banana plants, ponytail palm plants are beautiful tropical-looking plants that can help you bring a touch of the jungle to your otherwise boring and lifeless suburban home. Want to read more about plant propagation? HORTICULTURE UNLIMITED IS NOT A NURSERY OR SUPPLIER. Staff is eligible to use their available paid sick time for any such occurrence of illness. ponytail palm repotting===== Our Facebook Gardening Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gardening.w.Izhar/===== Our Online Selling … The trunk has a large bulbous appearance at its base. Other common names for this plant include bottle palm tree or elephant foot tree. According to Jungle Music Palms & Cycads, over 50 years ago, many thought the pygmy date palm couldn't grow over 6 feet tall. Do not over-water this plant or let water sit around its roots. My Ponytail Palm … We are staying updated on all recent developments and our primary concerns is to our clients and staff. Its leaves grow from small rosettes that sprout from the stem/trunk. Ponytail palm can be grown as an outdoor plant only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it prefers a sandy soil in a full-sun location. That’s because ponytail palms, like snake plants, are happy when they are snug in their pots. To repot, loosen the root ball and plant in fresh soil shallow enough so that the top of the root ball is at the soil level. Think of it as a boarding school. It may grow 10-12 inches in a year or double in size after five years. Don’t clip the ends of the leaves—they are the best part! When I tried to move it out of reach, the temptation was still too great. It just won’t grow as quickly, which is just as well considering these plants are adorable when tiny! Wondering what this beautiful creature is and how to care for a ponytail palm plant? Ponytail palms make great houseplants for many reasons, not the least of which is their ability to thrive in low humidity. My mom has a huge one, especially for an indoor ponytail palm! Common name: Ponytail palm, elephant’s foot tree Botanic name: Beaucarnea recurvata (also known as Nolina recurvata and N. tuberculata) Description: A slow growing, evergreen tree to about 9m (30′) tall. After many years of growth, it can develop large, upright clusters of creamy white flowers, but only female plants produce seed. It’s more closely related to the yucca plant and is a succulent! Like other houseplants, you can water less during the winter (once every month or so). If you don’t have the perfect spot indoors with lots of bright indirect light, you can likely coax your ponytail palm to settle in to a moderate light situation. If you want to hear from me, drop your email below! It also prefers well-draining, dry, sandy soils and full sun to partial shade conditions. Water thoroughly and let the plant dry out between watering sessions. I am a very bad ponytail palm mom. They can stay … They tolerate the normal range of household temperatures well. Speaking of pruning and growing, if you’re wondering how to propagate ponytail palm plants, it’s apparently easy! Overwatering will lead to root rot. Do not over-water or let water sit around its roots. Start ruling things out one by one. While I may curtail water slightly through the winter months, I do not generally subject my plant to an extended drought at this time: as a result, it grows throughout much of the year, with a reduced rate of growth in the winter months. File this plant under the “avoid overwatering this plant, and you’ll probably be able to keep it alive” category. I had it upside down and it was very easy to trim off all of the dead foliage. Often planted as a small landscape palm because of its extremely slow rate of growth, the ponytail can eventually grow to Fronds are large on this palm, so plant a single specimen at least 8 feet from the house (and even farther for multiple trunks, since they bow out) to allow the head of the palm room to flush out without fronds being damaged. Ponytail palms rarely need repotted. Their growth is also constricted by their pot size. I actually shipped my beloved ponytail palm off to live in the atrium at my work. Another name that the Ponytail Palm plant is known by is the “Elephant tree”. GROWTH. And while it isn’t toxic, it was really annoying. Once brown, the green isn't coming back so cut the tips off. Practicing social distancing and conducting (only essential) client interactions at a safe 6’ distance to protect our customers & staff. They grow pretty slowly, and you can keep them in one pot for quite a few years if you’d like. The Ponytail Palm is a great indoor plant as long as … No spam; unsubscribe anytime. With age, the trunk may develop a few branches. Planting: Ponytail Palms will thrive in a variety of conditions - in cooler climates they will like a full sun location, and in warmer areas they will prefer some afternoon shade. It’s strong! Crispy brown tips on the ends of the leaves. Growth Rate: Very Slow: Water Needs: Infrequent deep watering ideal, drought tolerant: Cold Tolerance: Mature plants down to 18 degrees: Light Needs: Full Sun: The Ponytail Palm is a fascinating, tall, palm-like plant that turns out not to be a true palm… However, you might hear it called an elephant’s foot or an elephant’s foot palm. If you’re underwatering, brown tips on a ponytail palm could be a sign that the plant is too dry. These plants are very drought tolerant because they can store water. https://www.horticultureunlimited.com/plant-guide/ponytail-palm Horticulture Unlimited is here to help you. planting in a pot that doesn’t make a drainage hole. See the sticky at the top of this forum for more info on how root congestion affects growth … It won’t outgrow its space anytime soon! Like its succulent family members, ponytail palms like a lot of light. In its native environment (eastern Mexico), the entire plant has been known to reach up to 30 feet in … If the leaves on the bottom start to brown and die off as in the photo below, you can just trim them. So this doesn’t happen overnight. Fertilize the ponytail palm once per year, in the spring when the plant begins to produce new growth. 3. Ponytail Palm Problems. With its bulbous trunk, cascading ponytail of leaves, and endearing proportions, the ponytail palm is a cute plant that happens to be pretty low maintenance. Cleaning & sanitizing of commonly touched areas of our facility on a daily (or more frequent) basis. Well, they are very tempting for many kitties, as I outlined. Not this plant. The leaves grow long, green, and curly, giving the plant its “ponytail” appearance. Indoors as houseplants, ponytail palms stay smaller—though they can still grow to multiple feet tall, with leaves that can grow to many feet long. If the "head" of the palm … Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it's really you to prevent spam :), Copyright by Brittany Goldwyn, 2021 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. The ponytail palm originates from the Asparagaceae family in eastern Mexico. Avoid direct sunlight. ... Ponytail Palm Care as a Houseplant Exposure. This tends to happen with both age and also if the humidity is very low. The cascading nature of the leaves gives much the appearance of a pony's tail… Use of hand sanitizer whenever it is available. Fast forward to a few years later, we now live in a house that has a bit more room—and most importantly, I can hang things from the ceiling! Ponytail palms, also known as elephant foot, are fantastic and cute indoor houseplants, as their caudex makes for a striking appearance…. Second, check your watering habits. Well, my cat was obsessed with trying to get to it and eat it. This post shares all about how to care for a ponytail palm, including whether you can have a ponytail palm with cats, repotting, pruning, problems, the best soil, ponytail palm propagation, how to grow multiple trunks on a ponytail palm, and more! These plants sprout “babies” around the base of the original trunk/stem. The Beaucarnea recurvata is a slow growing palm that can get up to 10 – 20 ft tall and 5-10 ft wide, but rarely exceeds 10ft. They enjoy a well-draining soil like a succulent soil. These babies become plants of their own, but remember, this plant is a slow grower. It stores moisture in its large base and is drought-resistant. Outdoors growing in the wild in Mexico, the ponytail palm plant is an evergreen perennial that can grow over 15 feet tall.