A Ponytail Palm is not really a palm but a relative of the Yucca plant, a member of the Agave family, and a relative of the Lily Plant. This is a unique succulent, there are no two of these palms that are exactly alike.
Ponytail Palm Care
Beaucarnea recurvata
Other names: The Elephant's Foot Tree
What is the plant
A Ponytail Palm has a large swollen base that some say resemble an elephant’s foot. The thin trunk is topped with flat, dark green, grass-like leaves. The leaves are about an inch wide and often 5-6 ft long; the edges can be quite sharp. A Ponytail Palm, sometimes referred to as a Bottle Palm or Elephant Foot Palm, is a slow growing very different looking plant that thrives on neglect. Put it in bright light, water sparingly, and watch it grow.
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
4°C - 10°C
Hardiness zone
9a - 10b
Difficulty
Easy
Hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Ponytail palms don't need a lot of water to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions. A general watering rule that applies for succulents holds true for ponytail palms as well, namely that you should allow a top 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) of soil to dry out before a next watering. When watering, soak a soil and allow excess water to drain.
Pruning
Trim out dead and damaged leaves any time, pinching off or cutting off each of those leaves at its base. Avoid cutting into a plant's main stems or its crown, which is where its leaves and roots meet.
Fertilizer
Feed a plant with a liquid fertilizer designed for flowering plants
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Sunlight
Semi-shade location.
Soil
The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt.
Temperature
Ponytail Palms like warm temperatures above 60°. They can survive temperatures in the 50's but don't grow as well. These plants, unlike other exotic tropical houseplants, like dry hot heat.
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Container
When choosing a pot, choose a pot that is 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) larger than the current size. Ceramic pots are porous which means your plants are less likely to experience root rot from overwatering. It also means you'll have to water more often. Plastic pots are lighter, less likely to break, and easier to clean.
Popularity
73,507 people already have this plant 9,865 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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