Ponytail Palm

Botanical name: Beaucarnea Recurvata

Plant type: Houseplant [2]

Sun exposure: Full Sun [3], Part Sun [4]

Ponytail Palms are a great, long-lived indoor plant. (Despite it's name and palm-like appearance, it's not a true "palm.")

This plant has long green leathery stems that develop as the plant ages.  Indoors, they can reach up to 3 feet high. The only thing that is difficult about this plant is adapting to its watering needs.

Planting

• Use a fast draining soil, such as cactus potting soil.
• Normal room temperature is good for most of the year, but keep it cooler in the winter (50 to 55° F).
• Find a location with bright light.

Care

• Keep soil fairly dry. Water from spring through fall allowing soil to dry on the surface before re-watering. During the winter only water occasionally.
• Fertilize in the spring and bring into brighter room for the summer months. 
• Re-potting every other year at the most is all the Ponytail Palm needs.

Pests

• Overwatering can contribute to stem rot.  If you withhold watering, the plant may be able to internally cure the problem. 
• Spider mites occur on the leaves, but can be fixed by rubbing a cloth of soap and water on the stems. 

Wit & Wisdom

Another name for Ponytail Palm is Elephant Foot Palm.