Growing Ponytail Palms

How to Care for a Ponytail Palm

Christopher Burnett

Ponytail palms are a unique-looking, long-lived indoor plant that thrives on benign neglect. They are very easy to grow, provided you don’t overwater them! Here’s how to grow and care for a ponytail palm in your home.

About Ponytail Palms

Despite its name and palm-like appearance, the ponytail palm is not a true “palm.” In fact, it is more closely related to desert plants in the Agave and Yucca genera (such as Joshua trees).

The typical ponytail palm consists of a large, domed “stump,” which tapers off into a thinner stem. From the top of the stem, one or more rosettes of long, green, leathery leaves develop as the plant ages. Indoors, the leaves can get up to 3 feet long, but outdoors, they may be double that length.

In its native environment (eastern Mexico), the entire plant has been known to reach up to 30 feet in height! However, ponytail palms that are grown in gardens as landscape plants don’t usually get to be more than 10 feet tall. Kept indoors, they are rarely taller than 4 feet.

Care of this plant is generally simple; the most common difficulty is having to adapt your watering habits to its watering needs!

Planting

Choosing Soil and a Pot

Use a fast draining soil, such as a cacti and succulent potting mix. If you have potting soil, sand, and perlite already on hand, you can create your own desert soil mixture: Simply mix 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part sand.
Select a pot that has a hole in the bottom, so that excess water can be drained off. Ponytail palms do not like to sit in moist soil for very long.
Use a clay pot if possible; the porous material will absorb some of the water, drying out the soil more quickly (a good thing for cacti and succulents).

Care

How to Care for Ponytail Palms

Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location. Bright, indirect sunlight is best.
Keep soil fairly dry. Water from spring through fall, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry completely before re-watering. During the winter, only water occasionally.
To water, soak the soil and allow the excess water to drain through the bottom of the pot into a dish. Let the pot sit in the dish for several minutes, then dump out any remaining water in the dish.
Fertilize in the spring with a cacti/succulent fertilizer and bring into a brighter room for the summer months.
Normal room temperature is fine for most of the year, but keep the plant slightly cooler in the winter (50-55°F / 10-13°C) to replicate the natural dormancy cycle.
During winter, don’t let the plant sit too close to cold windows at night, as it can be severely damaged by freezing temperatures.

Repotting a Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palms will remain small if kept in a small pot. They can go for many years before needing to be repotted. Repotting every other year at the most is all a ponytail palm needs.
Moving the plant to a larger pot will give it room to grow in both height and girth. However, older plants may become difficult to manage due to their sheer size and weight if not kept on the smaller size.
When selecting a new pot, pick one large enough to leave about an inch or so of space between the ponytail palm’s trunk and the rim of the pot.
Note: Use caution when handling a ponytail palm, as its leaves have tiny serrated edges.

Pests/Diseases

Overwatering can result in stem rot. If you withhold watering, the plant may be able to internally remedy the problem. Signs of stem rot include yellowing leaves and a caudex (the plant’s base and stem) that is soft or squishy.
Spider mites occur on the leaves, but can be dealt with by rubbing a cloth of dish soap and water on the stems. Spider mites are evidenced by the presence of spider-like webbing on the plant.
Brown tips on leaves can be a sign of overfertilizing or underwatering, so adjust your husbandry practices appropriately. They can also be a sign that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight and too little water.

Harvest/Storage

Propagation

Rarely, a ponytail palm may produce an offset—a small baby plant that stems from the base of the adult plant. These can be cut off at the base when they reach at least 4 inches in height and planted in a succulent potting mix. Before planting, allow the cut wound to heal, then apply a bit of rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) to encourage the offset to root.

Wit & Wisdom

The plant’s unusual shape and coloration has granted it another strange nickname: the Elephant’s Foot Palm.

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Reader Comments

Yes, you can remove one of

Yes, you can remove one of the branches and dip it in rooting hormone. Plant it in some fresh soil and keep it watered.

My mother had a ponytail for

My mother had a ponytail for 15 years and is about 5-6 ft tall. It had leaves on the side and on top. My dog chewed on the base of it and now there is no leaves on the top and about 3 inches down from top it is soft and light tan. The leaves on the side are still green with some brown. I hope it isn't a goner. What can I do to keep this alive in my mothers memory? Thank you.

Soft areas along the trunk

Soft areas along the trunk may indicate rot, which can occur with damage or overwatering. If this is the case, it may be hard for the plant to recover. However, some people have had success; if lucky, the top might die off, but the plant recovers by forming shoots lower down, turning the plant into a multi-trunk palm. The best you can do, is probably give it extra TLC--make sure it is getting lots of sunlight, has plenty of drainage, is in a warm spot, and is getting watered only when it feels dry down to an inch in the soil (usually, water every 1 to 2 weeks). Do not overfertilize.

On the other hand, a shriveled stem and browning leaves can also indicate not enough water. Make sure that it is getting the proper amount of water, that the soil is draining from the pot correctly.

If your plant has offshoots (babies), or seeds, then you might look into propagating it in case the original plant does not survive. Good luck!

So my MIL has one but she

So my MIL has one but she notoriously kills them. I pulled the dead leaves off and gave it a little water. It's in the middle of the room with some decent sun. She has had it for about a year I think and it is barely a foot tall. Is there anything I can do to help it out. I was thinking maybe change the soil. I also talked sweet to it. :)

Ponytail palms are slow

Ponytail palms are slow growers. But if it's in the middle of the room, perhaps place it more directly by a window (but be careful of cold drafts)--these plants love lots of sun, at least part of the year. Also, make sure that the soil is a well-draining type (a cactus mix works well), and that it has a drainage hole that isn't blocked. Water about every 1 to 2 weeks; give it a good watering, and let it drain out. Do not water unless the soil is dry at least 1 inch below the surface--or even more. Good luck!

Thankyou for the info on my

Thankyou for the info on my new plant. My pony tail is beautiful. She came with stones glued on top also and I likely would have left them there had I not have researched and found your valuable insight!! Thanks again.

Hi, Donna, Why, you are

Hi, Donna, Why, you are welcome! We are happy that our information was useful to you--and appreciate the thank you! Best, the OFA editors

I bought my ponytail palm 7

I bought my ponytail palm 7 years ago and had it at work in an office window that received daylight but no direct sunlight for 6 1/2 years. The leaves were bending about 3 inches from where they come out. I brought it home 3 months ago and put it outside for some direct sun. It seems to be doing a little better but the leaves are still bent.I love this plant. Any suggestions for helping with the bent leaves would be so much appreciated. Thank you! I have it in a 10 inch pot that is 10 inches deep. It is a foot tall at least. I have it planted in miracle grow and have not changed the soil in years. I feel it miracle grow on occasion, but have not for about 4 months. Help!

The palm does not need much

The palm does not need much fertilizer. Feed it about once a year. It thrives on neglect. Are the leaves touching a surface? Try putting the pot on a post or pedestal so that the leaves hang free.

I LOVE your website and

I LOVE your website and continuously learn so much about my beloved plants. I moved my Elephant Foot (Elsie)for construction purposes. She is potted, but spends most of her time outside on a covered patio in Phoenix. When I moved her back, 3 of her 5 offshoots broke off. They do not appear to have roots. Her crown had been amputated before I got her, so all she has are offshoots. Shall I repot all in a new, larger pot, or seperate them into individual pots or cover them with sphagham & wrap in plastic bag to wait for roots? Elise looks ill with wilted, brown leaves, as do her babies. If she was stressed because of the move, will the additional offshoots also fall off? If so, shall I remove them now and repot Elsie's base? The soil feels moist. They have not been watered for a week

You can plant the babies in

You can plant the babies in pots with new well-draining soil. Wet the cut end of the shoot in water and then dip the wet end in rooting hormone before putting the shoot in the pot. Wait and see if the mother plant will recover before repotting again.

I have several of these

I have several of these plants. Love them. One that I recently brought inside keeps having little ones sprout from the bulb. Any way to stop these from growing back? I cut them off but they grow right back. I tried putting them in soil but they died.

You can plant the babies in

You can plant the babies in soil if you first dip the cut end in hormone powder to help root development.

I have an 8' tall ponytail.

I have an 8' tall ponytail. Can I trim the top? It is too tall to get the sunlight from my slider. I would like to cut the top off. I have heard differing opinions. Help, please.

For best advice, we'd suggest

For best advice, we'd suggest that you talk to a local nursery that sells houseplants. The plant propagator there would be able to tell you how/where to safely trim your ponytail palm. There is a risk with cutting the top off of a ponytail palm: if done improperly, you might kill the plant; if done successfully, new shoots may form at the base, to form multiple trunks rather than a single trunk as you have now.

Hi! I live in arizona , i

Hi!

I live in arizona , i recently left my palm outside for a few days , now it is severely wilted and looks like its dying. Is it a goner?

Hi, I just bought a pony tail

Hi, I just bought a pony tail palm at Big Y. There are 3 bulbs in the pot,can I separate them? What's the best soil mixture? I was thinking of cactus and Miracle Grown potting soil. Please let me know as I don't want to wait too long. Thank you

The palm needs a well-drained

The palm needs a well-drained soil mix. Cactus soil mix will work. Or you can add sand or small gravel to regular potting soil. You can divide the bulbs. Use a sharp knife and cut between the bulbs and make sure that each one gets roots.

My pony tail palm is at least

My pony tail palm is at least 25 yrs old & has just recently sprouted a "baby" on the bulb of the plant. Is it possible to remove & start this baby in another pot? If so how should I do it? Do I cut it off with a knife? What about the open wound on the original bulb?

I bought my ponytail palm

I bought my ponytail palm several days ago, when I brought it home I started tending to it. It had been improperly cared for. I started to wipe it off (because of spider mites and mold). There was mold on the base, it has returned. I wanted to know, is that normal? If not, what can I do to make the plant better?

Could you describe the mold?

Could you describe the mold? If it is white spots or clusters that appear cottony and feel sticky then its mealy bug. You can use an insecticidal soup spray or contact your local County Extension Office for a diagnosis and more advice.

It's a dark green color on

It's a dark green color on the lower base near the soil. I water once every two weeks, so I am now sure it's rot. Also, due to a pressing situation I became worried about the Wooly Aphid infestation on my plant. It was very bad. I cut the leave all the way off my plant. Is there anything I can put on the cut leaves to help it grow back normal? I re-potted it about a week ago, I don't remember there being any mealies on the roots. Is there anything organic I can put in the soil to eliminate and prevent these pest? I would like to help the plant continue to survive.

I bought my pony tail palm

I bought my pony tail palm about 2 years ago from a big box store. It has pebbles glued to the top of it. It is doing well, but should I remove the pebbles and repot it?

Yes, use a knife or similar

Yes, use a knife or similar to remove the stones carefully (make sure that you don't disturb the roots); or, you can try to break the stones apart. Without the stones, or with them at least separated, it makes it easier for water to penetrate and for you to determine when the plant is thirsty. Repot the plant in light fast-draining potting soil (a bonsai mix works well); make sure the pot has drainage holes. Plant the palm at the same soil level that it was before. Water thoroughly once every 1 to 2 weeks. Let the soil dry up in between waterings.

my comment is I have a

my comment is I have a ponytail palm it was doing good until we moved now the leaves are turning brown is there something i can do?
thanks

Brown leaves are an indicator

Brown leaves are an indicator of improper watering and sometimes insufficient sunlight. Remove the brown leaves.

Just received my ponytail

Just received my ponytail palm and it looks as if it is already rootbound. Should I repot it now?

Yes, you should repot it in a

Yes, you should repot it in a bigger container. It's a big job to untangle and cut those roots.

I just moved the family

I just moved the family ponytail palm across state. It has been in family for 30 years! It is 9 ft. tall . Some leaves are splitting, can you tell me what could do that? I am getting ready to repot, the soil on top appears to be tiny roots . Any helpful hints, please?

Splitting could come from

Splitting could come from overwatering or perhaps root rot. It sounds like a good time to repot and change the soil. You can check to see if there is any rot. To repot, use a high-quality potting soil and cut it by half with perlite. Plant at the same soil level. Wait a few days before you water.