Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Remedies
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Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) prefers bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Ponytail Palm also called Elephant Foot is one of the popular hardy plants that does not require a lot of attention which makes it ideal for a beginner or the forgetful plant parent.
Beaucarnea recurvata is a slow-growing, succulent plant with a large, swollen bulb that stores water which resembles an elephant's foot and hence the common name 'Elephant Foot'. This places this plant among the best plants with low water needs.
A thin trunk arises from the swollen bulb and is topped by a plume of long strap-like leaves which give this plant its common name 'Ponytail Palm'.
Though called a palm, Beaucarnea recurvata is not a true palm. It is a member of the Asparagaceae family along with Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea), ornamental Asparagus plants and Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum).
Botanical name: Beaucarnea recurvata
Family: Asparagaceae
Common names: Ponytail Palm, Elephant Foot
Origin
Beaucarnea recurvata is native to the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi in eastern Mexico.
Size
Under the right conditions Ponytail Palm can grow to a height of 6 feet or more. The strap-like leaves can be as long as 6 feet and about 2 inches wide which makes this plant one the large-leafed plants that make a bold statement in any space.
Toxicity
Beaucarnea recurvata is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is among the pet safe plants that you may grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Ponytail Palm to your collection, you may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Beaucarnea recurvata Indoor Care
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) prefers bright light 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 50-55%, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ponytail Palm needs pruning to keep the plant neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is necessary when the plant becomes extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Ponytail Palm liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting of the bulb.
Light Requirements
Beaucarnea recurvata grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight but it needs to be protected from hot midday sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
Elephant Foot can also tolerate direct sunshine. However, it needs to be acclimatized before moving it under direct sunlight to avoid sunscorch marks on the leaves.
Ponytail Palm will also grow under grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing Ponytail Palm indoors is an average warmth of 18-280C. Room temperatures that are comfortable for you are ideal for this plant.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Ponytail Palm. It has no need for extra humidity. Mist the leaves occasionally and clean them by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests and disease infestations.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Ponytail Palm should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough as the plant is prone to root-rot disease. Cactus and succulents soil is ideal for this plant as it drains easily.
Fertilizer
Feed Beaucarnea recurvata with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.
Do not feed Ponytail Palm during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Beaucarnea recurvata during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound.
The best pot for Ponytail Palm should allow 1 in. of space between the plant's trunk and the rim of the pot.
Ensure that the trunk remains at the same soil level as it was in previous pot and that the bulbous part is not covered under soil to avoid rotting.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Check out these succulents pots available on Amazon.
Refresh the soil for the large plants by replacing the top 2-4 inches of soil with fresh soil. Take care not to injure the bulb and the roots.
Pruning
Prune Ponytail Palm by removing dead and dry leaves to maintain the plant neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations. Avoid wounding the trunk as it can result in fungal infections. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation Guide
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is not easy to propagate but can be propagated from offsets (pups) at the beginning of the growing season.
How to propagate Ponytail Palm from offshoots (pups)
Allow the Ponytail Palm pups to grow to a length of about 4 inches or more to ensure the best chance of survival.
Remove the soil around the base to expose where the pup joins the mother.
With a sterilized, sharp knife, cut the pup away to separate it from the mother.
Pot the pup in moist, potting mixture which is sand-based and free-draining to prevent rotting.
Cover the set up with a clear plastic bag in order to create humid conditions that are necessary for rooting.
Keep the soil surface moist through out until the Beaucarnea recurvata pup is well established after which routine care can begin.
Beaucarnea recurvata Problems
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) has few growing problems which include brown leaf tips, brown leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Ponytail Palm is highly resistant to pests but weak plants can be attacked by scales, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Brown leaf tips
There are two possible causes of brown leaf tips in Beaucarnea recurvata. Snip off the brown tips with a sharp sterilized scissors to keep the plant neat.
One possible cause of brown leaf tips in Elephant Foot is underwatering or overwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist but never soggy.
Significantly, reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The second possible cause of brown leaf tips in Ponytail Palm is overfeeding which leads to fertilizer burn. The plant is a slow-grower and therefore does not require heavy feeding. Feed it monthly during the growing season and withhold feeding during the cold season.
Lower leaves turning brown
The lower leaves in Ponytail Palm turn brown as the plant ages. Pull out the dry leaves to maintain the plant neat as new leaves grow from the top of the trunk.
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