Table of Contents
This desert native is slow-growing, ranging in size from less than a foot tall to more than 6 feet when grown indoors.Ponytail Palm. genus name Beaucarnea recurvata plant type Houseplant height 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet 8 to 20 feet width 1-4 feet wide problem solvers Drought Tolerant.
How fast does a ponytail palm grow?
When planted outdoors, spring is the traditional planting time, though a ponytail palm can be planted at almost any time. This is a very slow-growing, long-lived species. It may take five years or more for a 1-foot-tall plant to double in size.
Do ponytail palms need deep pots?
Ponytail palms like to be a little crowded in their containers, so select a pot that is no more than 2 inches wider all around than the base of the plant. It should also have a drainage hole.
Can you put a ponytail palm outside?
If you live in a very warm climate like that found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, growing ponytail palm outdoors is entirely feasible. They can grow to 30 feet (9 m.) tall, but rarely do as houseplants.
How do I make my ponytail palm grow?
Repot your bonsai ponytail palm in a larger pot if you want to encourage it to grow taller. With the larger environment, its roots can spread and access the additional oxygen, moisture and nutrients needed for growth. Repot your bonsai in spring or summer to take advantage of the bright sunlight those times of year.
How long can a ponytail palm live?
How Long Can Ponytail Palms Live? Your ponytail palm will likely live for several decades, and it’s possible that it can even outlive you—these plants have been known to live past 100 years.
Why are the tips of my ponytail palm turning brown?
My Ponytail Palm has brown tips! This is often a result of over or underwatering. Too much water can cause brown tips with distinct yellowing, while not enough water turns the leaves brown and crispy. Prune the leaves with a clean pair of sheers and check the soil before adjusting watering as needed.
Is it OK to trim ponytail palm?
Trimming ponytail palms can be done any time of the year but is best during the growing season of spring through early fall. Use clean and sharp bonsai shears to trim leaves on top of the plant. This will force the foliage to grow downward and resemble a ponytail. Remove any damaged leaves that may be brown or wilted.
Do ponytail palms bloom?
Flowering on a ponytail palm does not occur the first year you purchase the small plant nor is it likely to during the next decade. Before the plant flowers, it increases significantly in size and girth. The plant’s palm-like trunk sometimes grows to 18 feet (5.5 m.) Once the plant blooms, it will flower every summer.
How cold can a ponytail palm tolerate?
Just how cold hardy is a ponytail palm, though? It can tolerate temperatures as low as 15°F for short periods of time, as long as it’s a mature plant. The huge trunk of a ponytail palm tree acts just like a camel’s hump, i.e., it stores water and supplies moisture to the stems and leaves whenever needed.
Do ponytail palms have deep roots?
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is an evergreen succulent that looks like a palm tree. Since the length and depth of any tree’s roots depends on its height and the spread of its canopy, the size of a ponytail palm’s roots depends on whether you grow it outdoors or in a container.
How do you know when a ponytail palm needs water?
Your Ponytail palm will need its soil to dry well between watering, and if you have any doubt as to whether or not to water the plant, skip it until the next week. If your Pony tail palm develops dry, brown foliage, a shriveled stem or desiccated roots, you can be sure that these are signs of under watering.
How do you make a ponytail palm Bushy?
Pruning ponytail plants that are less than 6 inches (15 cm.) tall will result in the plant producing more heads. It only works on the very young plants and you should make slightly curved cuts into the main trunk to force growth. Keep the plant in an arid region, without much humidity, to prevent the cut from rotting.
Are ponytail palms toxic to dogs?
While ponytail palms can reach heights of 20 feet or more in the outdoors, they are also often grown as bonsai specimen. The ASPCA says that the ponytail palm is non-toxic to dogs and cats (and horses, if you happen to be keeping one of those in your house).
How do you get rid of ponytail palm pups?
Spring is the best time to divide ponytail palm shoots. Carefully excavate around the base of the parent plant to expose the base of the pups. Use a clean, sharp knife and cut the pup away from the adult plant.
Is coffee grounds good for palm trees?
Yes, coffee grounds help acidify soil and are helpful for palm trees. However, used coffee grounds are of a neutral PH and will not help acidify soil. Over time, when composted, they help add nitrogen to soil.
Do ponytail palms clean the air?
NASA found this great indoor plant to be one of the top plants for cleaning air. It breaks down toxic gasses to keep the air you are breathing nice and pure. The Ponytail Palm has a very distinct look with its swollen brown stem that stores water.
