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Despite its moniker , the ponytail palm — name for the bouncy atomiser of leaves atop its “ head”—actually does n’t belong among decoration plants , being a semi - succulent specie rather . Not a one - trick pony , it also offer an strange pee - hold stock ( stem root ) at its Qaeda . That reservoir can turn as grey and crack as a pachyderm ’s foot , excuse this “ medal ’s ” alternating nickname : elephant ’s substructure plant .
Due to the plant ’s ability to supply much of its own moisture and its margin of humiliated humidity , ponytail palm care is well-off for most gardener . However , those prone to overwatering their plants should n’t pony up for this one !
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Ponytail Palm Care at a Glance
vulgar Name : Ponytail palm , elephant ’s foot plantScientific Name : Beaucarnea recurvataorNolina recurvataSoil : Cactus potting mixLight : Full or partial sunWater : LowFood : Balanced houseplant or cactus fertilizerTemperature and Humidity : modal way temperature , scurvy humidityPropagation : Offsets or seedsSafety : Nontoxic , sharp folio edge
Ponytail Palm Characteristics
Hardy only to USDA Zones 10 and 11 , the most common ponytail palm tree ( Beaucarnea recurvata ) can grow in the arid wilds of southeast Mexico . outside , it might reach more than 20 substructure in high spirits with a caudex 5 or more feet across and allow 4 human foot tenacious and 1 inch wide . It ramify from the top of its trunk rather than from its base , and after it produce tall than 3 feet in 10 years or so , it might also produce panicles of heyday in summertime and fall . Those are ointment - color on male plant and pink on female 1 , watch over by bunch of ruby seed pods only on pollinate female plants .
However , an indoor ponytail palm is n’t probable to outstrip 6 to 8 feet in height , nor to bloom . Still , its paunchy and puffy visibility makes it one of the most interesting ofindoor tree , and a matured specimen should be able-bodied to go your 2 - week vacation with ease .
Types of Ponytail Palms
Although theBeaucarnea recurvatadescribed above is the most widely sell ponytail palm , there are a few other species that , according to “ Tropical Flowering Plants ” by Kirsten Albrecht Llamas , deal many of its characteristic with some venial differences .
Selecting Soil for Ponytail Palms
In its native Mexico , the ponytail palm grows best on the sides of bouldered slope . Since it tends to rot if forced to sit in pee , provide it with a fast - draining soil such as cactus , palm , or citrous fruit mixing . Also , keep it “ tightly ” potted , with no more than 2 inches of soil between its base and the sides of a preferably terra - cotta or ceramic locoweed .
If you favour to create your own mix forsucculents , simply combine one part each of received potting soil , perlite , and sand . Use a common sand , such as builder ’s sand , rather than a finer sorting .
The Right Light
The ponytail palm typically grow in full sunlight in the wild , so it would prefer a position near a south - facing windowpane . However , it can tolerate the fond sun of an east- or west - face windowpane or even bright , indirect light , though it will be more prostrate to problems if treated as alow - visible light houseplant .
Do n’t move the plant too abruptly from a dim position to a sunny position , though , or its foliage will burn . That include if you move it outdoors during summer , since full sun outdoors is much brighter than full sun indoors . If you live in a wet climate , keep the plant under a porch cap rather than out in the clear to limit the amount of water it receives .
Watering Ponytail Palms
After you irrigate a mature ponytail palm , hold off until its grease is dry at least a couple of inch down before you irrigate it again — perhaps once every 2 weeks during spring and summertime . During autumn and wintertime , you should cut back on watering even more , make the plant a potable only about once per calendar month .
If its caudex begins to shrink or the tips of its leaves turn browned and brittle , water it more often . Ponytail palm seedling that have n’t yet developed a water - storing stock will require more frequent irrigation than ripe works do , but do n’t allow their dirt to become soggy . And always water from the side ; never pour H2O straight into the plant ’s fount of foliage .
Fertilizing Ponytail Palms
Since the ponytail palm come from areas with less - than - fertile ground and grows slowly , it does n’t postulate much nourishment . Also , a buildup of fertilizer SALT in the ground can have brown tips on the works .
Therefore , a dose of abalanced houseplant foodonce or doubly through bound and summer should suffice for ponytail laurel wreath as houseplants . If you opt , use a product specially articulate for cactus and succulent alternatively , abide by the way on its packaging . Do n’t fertilise the plant life during dusk and winter when growth is at its lowest ebb .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
The ponytail plant makes an gentle - to - please houseguest since it really prefers middling indoor temperature between 65 and 80 grade Fahrenheit and low humidness . However , an occasional spray is OK , since it is probable to become dusty after a while and should have its foliage cleaned once in a while . Also , excessively teetotal precondition may render it vulnerable to spider mites .
Wait until all threat of hoarfrost has blow over to plant a ponytail decoration outdoors or move the container - grown industrial plant outdoors during summertime , and impart the houseplant back indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in fall . Exposure to temperatures in the scummy forty reportedly can stimulate yellowing leaf — even if those temperature do n’t dip to freezing .
Propagating Ponytail Palm
The plant at times makes counterbalance resembling mini plants on the side of its caudex . To detach one of those , apply a penetrating knife to cut it spare . Remove the farewell from the downhearted one - third of the stolon ’s root word and tolerate it to dry for 24 hours or so before dipping its base in arooting powder or liquidness . Then pot up the outset in cactus potting mixture , covering the bare low third of the stem with the commixture .
To grow ponytail thenar from seed , soak the seed overnight before sowing it in a damp and uninventive semen - start mix , scarcely cut through it with the mix . If you keep the seed at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit , they should sprout in 2 to 4 week .
Safety Considerations
Although ponytail palms are n’t toxic to either people or pet , harmonize to theUniversity of Wisconsin Extension , the serrated border of their leaves reportedly are sharp enough to cut skin if they are handled carelessly . For this reason , wear with child baseball glove when wreak around them and admonish baby against petting these ponies ! If you have a feisty - feely bambino , you might want to forgo the industrial plant altogether .
Also , magnanimous ponytail palms in flowerpot can be expectant , so do n’t localize them at heights from which their toppling could be grave . To avoid straining your back later , set the plant life atop wheeled plant caddies while they still are small enough to be lifted easy .
Potential Pests and Diseases
The most common disease to afflict ponytail thenar is ascendant rot cause by overwatering . Signs of overwatering and possible hogwash include white stamp atop the plant ’s stain , yellowing leave , and/or a mushy prow or maudlin spots at territory tier on the caudex . If the soft spots are small , the plant life may be able-bodied to live on if you hold back watering it . However , should the entire stock feel pulpy , you probably will need to discard the industrial plant .
The ironic condition under which ponytail palms must be keep sometimes invite spider jot , which are indicate by mottling on the foliage and web beneath it . To prevent or admonish those trespasser , dampen your plant ’s leafage now and then , preferably in a mode that does n’t soak its center or soil .
FAQs
The following questions and answers can give you some spry hint on how to handle for ponytail medallion . For more all-embracing information , consult the clause above .
Q.Are ponytail palms low maintenance?
Yes , ponytail decoration do n’t require much water , fertilizer , or other attention .
Q. Why does my ponytail palm have brown tips?
Brittle dark-brown crown might indicate too piffling water or a buildup of fertilizer salts . dark-brown tip on yellow leaves generally designate too much body of water .
Q. Are ponytail palms succulents?
Yes , ponytail laurel wreath are actually semi - succulents rather than palms .
Looking for more low-down - upkeep houseplants ? Check out our guides on caring forpeace lily , snake plant , andspider plant .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
Photo: Dick Culbert,CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
We ’ll help you prepare up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised seam , or an in - solid ground plot of land out back — and take the correct plant for your soil and part .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
