A desert plant, ponytail palm is adapted to bright light. How Tall Do Ponytail Palms Get? I don’t think I’d ever have the guts to do this! A member of the agave family, the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) grows readily outdoors in the ground or in containers. My Ponytail Palm was overwatered. For more details, review my privacy policy. My 3-trunked Ponytail Palm was looking healthy and happy but was going nowhere. In addition to producing the sugary, shiny-looking honeydew that sooty mold grows on, mealybug feeding also can cause a loss of plant vigor, yellowing and wilting. Excessive or constant moisture around the ponytail palm roots kills small roots, leaving the plant unable to take up sufficient nutrients and water. For the first time in the last 15 years, it is blooming, very large blooms, four foot long blooms, yellow to a gold and pink in color on five of its eight arms. These plants are preferred over others for two main reasons, one it looks beautiful and unique and two these plants are extremely easy to maintain and care for. These plants are native to Mexico and live in full sun where they can grow to 20′ or more. Water the ponytail palm only when soil around the roots dries out. Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. Problem #2: YELLOWING OF THE LEAVES. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. It doesn't take well to cold weather. Well, my cat was obsessed with trying to get to it and eat it. So this doesn’t happen overnight. The biggest problem is caused by rot due to the soil being too soggy. Ponytail palms don’t need a lot of water to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions. The trunk has a large bulbous appearance at its base. I have never personally propagated a ponytail palm plant, but I am planning to work on it and update this post when I can. Ponytail palm trees are commonly grown indoors as a houseplant or out in the landscape in suitable locations. 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 (e.g., Joshua trees).. Common name: Ponytail palm, elephant’s foot tree Botanic name: Beaucarnea recurvata (also known as Nolina recurvata and N. tuberculata) Description: A slow growing, evergreen tree to about 9m (30′) tall. Sorry—no easy answer here! ... To clarify, I guess I should say to change the media if the roots are showing but pinksand is right that ponytail palms do like to be under potted. Oddly, the ponytail palm is not a palm or a tree, but it is an interesting plant to grow. How to care for a ponytail palm is all about the right amount of light and water. Their growth is also constricted by their pot size. Ponytail palm problems Spider Mites are pests that can eat the cells on the plant leaves making the white spots on different portions and it will not stop until this bug eats all your plants. As with all houseplants, I do not recommend adults, children, or pets ingest them. A quick-draining soil mix for cacti is a great choice for ponytail palm, or you can incorporate sand or small gravel into regular potting mix to achieve quick drainage. Most problems with this plant come from overwatering, but it can occasionally suffer from pests like spidermites, scale, or mealybugs, which are treated with a systemic insecticide. You may also notice the trunk start to wrinkle and go limp. My Ponytail Palm was overwatered. You can pick up a bag at any garden store, or you can cut some costs and make your own in bulk using a DIY succulent soil recipe. Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Treatment of Mealy Bugs on House Plants, University of Minnesota Extension: Root Rot of Houseplants, The Old Farmer's Almanac: Ponytail Palm -- How to Grow Indoors, University of Wisconsin-Extension Master Gardener Program: Ponytail Palm, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Ponytail Palm, Miami-Dade County/University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Phytophthora Bud Rot of Palms in South Florida, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Ponytail Palm, How to Grow a Weeping Fig Ficus in a Container. A desert plant, ponytail palm is adapted to bright light. Leaves that are turning yellow or a trunk/stem that is beginning to look mushy or rotted is a sign of root rot induced by overwatering. Addressing the pests responsible for the honeydew is necessary to control sooty mold. Well, they are very tempting for many kitties, as I outlined. Like other houseplants, you can water less during the winter (once every month or so). Like its succulent family members, ponytail palms like a lot of light. They tend to look like perky ponytails. Plant details. Get growing tips and ponytail palm care info from the articles that follow. These plants are preferred over others for two main reasons, one it looks beautiful and unique and two these plants are extremely easy to maintain and care for. The plant stores water in the swollen trunk base to thrive in dry, hot climates. Crispy brown tips on the ends of the leaves. Overwatering will lead to root rot. Ponytail palms make great houseplants for many reasons, not the least of which is their ability to thrive in low humidity. Start ruling things out one by one. Q. large ponytail tree in my front yard I have a very, very large ponytail tree in my front yard. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This is easily preventable by: Watering when the top 3 to 4 inches of soil becomes dry. Ponytail Palm Watering. They tolerate the normal range of household temperatures well. So, what causes Ponytail palm problems like stem/leaf rot and yellow/brown leaves? Roots cannot absorb moisture when they are subjected to soggy conditions -- oxygen pockets are scarce and rot develops. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), also sometimes known as the elephant's foot palm or bottle palm, is prized for a unique-appearing, swollen trunk base and its light-green, thin and cascading leaves. The Ponytail plant despite its name is technically not a species of the palm nor is it even a tree. Ponytail palms, also known as elephant foot, are fantastic and cute indoor houseplants, as their caudex makes for a striking appearance…. GARDENING GUIDES Solve 3 Common Landscape Problems — With More Plants. Ponytail Palm. I have a ponytail palm that we replanted a few years ago. This plant can be moved outside for the summer. Once brown, the green isn't coming back so cut the tips off. Speaking of pruning and growing, if you’re wondering how to propagate ponytail palm plants, it’s apparently easy! Finally, if you fertilize your plants, make sure you’re not giving your ponytail palm too much fertilizer. WE have two ponytail palms - one is doing well, the other is not. The ponytail palm is actually considered a succulent, as it stores water around the base of its swollen trunk. These plants sprout “babies” around the base of the original trunk/stem. The mealybugs themselves also sometimes are potentially mistaken for a fungus. You’ll also love my guides on how to take care of monstera plants, how to take care of pothos plants, how to take care of rubber plants, caring for peperomia plants, and how to care for philodendron. Ponytail Palm Pruning. Although this will affect the aesthetics of your plant, it is a survival mechanism. Discussion in 'Caudiciforms and Pachycaul Trees' started by Patrick1, Apr 23, 2007. The bulb-like trunk is used to store water and the long leaves that grow from the top of the trunk resemble a ponytail. This would leave me with ugly nibbled-on leaves and cat barf to clean up. With regular rainfall or repeated washings, sooty mold gradually weathers off of the foliage. Ponytail Palm Pruning. You may be tempted to give this plant’s ponytail a haircut, but doing so … It had leaves on the top until a few weeks ago when they all fell off. Often planted as a small landscape palm because of its extremely slow rate of growth, the ponytail can eventually grow to 30 feet...but it takes a very long time. Not this plant. Burying even a small part of the stem can lead to rot. Bright, indirect sunlight will help a ponytail palm thrive as a houseplant. 20. The ponytail palm has gained popularity in the recent plant as the perfect house plant. Want to read more about plant propagation? Cutting back ponytail palm leaves is easy to preserve the appearance of the plant. Its leaves grow from small rosettes that sprout from the stem/trunk. It’s in her kitchen next to a door. The taller they get, the longer the leaves get. The Ponytail Palm is also known as an Elephant’s Foot because of the bark pattern on its gray bulbous trunk. The Ponytail Palm will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight. Water, temperature, and humidity needs are all easy when it comes to how to care for a ponytail palm plant. A slow-grower that can reportedly live for decades, or even centuries, it’s no wonder that the ponytail palm is a popular houseplant choice. I have many many healthy babies, and one healthy 4-5 year old one, but I have an older ponytail palm, probably about 10 years old (judging by the length of the trunk), that has been going downhill since the beginning of the winter. Like most succulents, the ponytail palm prefers dry soil conditions and therefore does not need to be watered very often. A well-drained sandy potting medium, perhaps labeled for succulents or cacti, is ideal for container cultivation. For the first time in the last 15 years, it is blooming, very large blooms, four foot long blooms, yellow to a gold and pink in color on five of its eight arms. If you want to actually see me physically repot this plant, check out my repotting video on YouTube! Dec 15, 2018 - Explore Chris Zimmerman Law's board "Ponytail Plant", followed by 242 people on Pinterest. Avoid many of these problems by following the recommended cultural practices that help keep plants healthy and vigorous. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in urban and regional studies. The most common pest to attack ponytail palm is the spider mites. Ponytail Palm. Palm trees grown in the landscape appear carefree, but they are susceptible to many diseases, insects and nutritional problems. If you don’t have the perfect spot indoors with lots of bright indirect light, you can likely coax your ponytail palm to settle in to a moderate light situation. If a ponytail palm growing in the landscape dies as a result of root rot, remove and destroy or dispose of the above ground portion of the plant, and as much of the root system as possible, especially if other ponytail palms or desirable vegetation are growing nearby. The general watering rule that applies for succulents holds true for ponytail palms as well, namely that you should allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before the next watering. By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens. The Ponytail Palm will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight. Start ruling things out one by one. It a succulent and is a close relative of the agave plant. The ponytail palm is actually considered a succulent, as it stores water around the base of its swollen trunk. This distinct plant brings a little fun to any room in your home. Occasionally, a ponytail palm may acquire a dark fungus known as sooty mold. Can I separate the balls ... Q. Ponytail Bonsai Palm - I have a 36 year old, 5' ponytail bonsai. I know how tough their roots are but really had a hard time getting this 1 out of its pot. Root rot often appears first as slowed growth, wilt and leaf yellowing. You get to take advantage of the full spring, summer, fall, and winter growth cycle of this incredible plant. Information about Ponytail Palm Trees. A quick-draining soil mix for cacti is a great choice for ponytail palm, or you can incorporate sand or small gravel into regular potting mix to achieve quick drainage. Posted on Last updated: July 8, 2020 Categories Plants & Gardening. This piece focuses on the ponytail palm, we will through the course of this article explore facts This distinct plant brings a little fun to any room in your home. That’s because this plant has a rough trunk with an exterior resembling an elephant’s skin. In the event that this color shifts to a yellow hue, you may be watering your Ponytail Palm too much. The good news is that the ponytail palm thrives well with minimal care, but minimal does not mean “no care” since that can cause leaf, stem, and root problems. I couldn’t blame him really. How Tall Do Ponytail Palms Get? However, it’s a palm in name only—it’s not actually a palm (Arecaceae family). Fertilize only according to your succulent fertilizer’s instructions, and don’t approach it with the mentality that “more is better.”. What Is the Fuzzy Coating on My Lucky Bamboo Plant? THE flaky bark you can see in the photo suggests damage to the root system or perhaps to the lower trunk. My mom has a huge one, especially for an indoor ponytail palm! That’s because ponytail palms, like snake plants, are happy when they are snug in their pots. I dug out a bunch of the soil to try and see what exactly was going on there. Oddly, the ponytail palm is not a palm or a tree, but it is an interesting plant to grow. If the tips of your otherwise beautiful curly leaves are browning, it could be a number of things. If you want to actually see me physically repot this plant, check out my repotting video on YouTube! Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it’s really you to prevent spam . Ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata (or Nolina recurvata) from semi-desert areas of southeastern Mexico, is the species often grown as a low-maintenance houseplant in temperate climates, as well as being used as a landscape specimen in dry, warm climates (zones 9-10). Angela Ryczkowski is a professional writer who has served as a greenhouse manager and certified wildland firefighter. The Ponytail Palm Tree, scientific name Beaucarnea recurvata, is well-known because of its stunning trunk that is greatly swollen at the base making this palm look like a giant onion.. So I decided to let this little one live in my office’s atrium for a bit. The plant we are considering today is the ponytail palm or Beaucarnea recurvata. If that doesn’t work, increase the amount of moisture that you provide your Ponytail Palm plant. Here’s how to treat these pests: 1. While the ponytail palm is a very easy plant to take care of, it’s not without its problems. Ponytail Palm Watering. The ponytail palm prioritizes keeping central tissues of the plant hydrated at … Since ponytail palms don’t like their roots sitting in water, pairing well-draining soil with a pot that has adequate drainage is best. With its bulbous trunk, cascading ponytail of leaves, and endearing proportions, the ponytail palm is a cute plant that happens to be pretty low maintenance. How to Paint Terracotta Pots: The Ultimate Guide! I noticed a week or so ago that the bulb area had a soft spot in it. This bulbous base resembles the elephant’s foot because it tapers up into the plants stem or trunk. The taller they get, the longer the leaves get. The Ponytail Palm is also known as an Elephant’s Foot because of the bark pattern on its gray bulbous trunk. Don’t clip the ends of the leaves—they are the best part! Handling Problems in Ponytail Palm Care. If possible, bring your ponytail palm indoors on frosty nights. The tallest I’ve seen 1 in a container is 9′. You obviously speak "ponytail language." The plant requires water even less frequently in the winter and should be watered only as needed to address or prevent wilting. With a little know how, you’ll be prepared to handle any problems that pop up. Ponytail palms are fabulously unpicky when it comes to soil and potting. The general watering rule that applies for succulents holds true for ponytail palms as well, namely that you should allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before the next watering. The decorative ponytail plant is native to dry, desert regions of Mexico and the southern United States. But growing a ponytail palm outdoors is actually more common, believe it or not! If the leaves on the bottom start to brown and die off as in the photo below, you can just trim them. I have one that I have had since I took it to college in 1984 in a 2″ pot.Here it is today and read about how I up-potted it last year. Occasionally, a ponytail palm may acquire a dark fungus known as sooty mold. I had it upside down and it was very easy to trim off all of the dead foliage. The ponytail palm originates from the Asparagaceae family in eastern Mexico. The ponytail palm is no different and will suffer if appropriate care is not given. This plant benefits from bright light and can tolerate dry furnace heat. They can get 12 -24′ tall when growing outside in the ground. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a subtropical plant that grows best in the southernmost parts of Florida and California, but it can grow anywhere as an indoor houseplant. But growing a ponytail palm outdoors is actually more common, believe it or not! They can get 12 -24′ tall when growing outside in the ground. As mentioned above, overwatering may cause the plant to rot and invite pests and diseases. You'll be glad to know that ponytails are relatives of the agave - the heads should root without problems, and you should get sprouting from the trunks just below the cuts. The leaves at the top in the middle are turning brown and are stopping new growth from starting. The biggest side effect I experienced was Henry nibbling the leaves and barfing because they aren’t meant to be eaten. If you are having problems with yellowing or browning of the tips of the foliage on relatively new leaves, then I would suspect salt damage from fertilizer. A ponytail palm left without water for long enough will start to become stressed, and the leaf tips will begin to turn brown and die. The neck has gone soft. 20. Place it near a sunny window where it will receive as much light as possible. The ponytail palm can grow well in rainy areas as long as soil in the site is sandy and well-drained. It’s officially named Beaucarnea recurvata, which you will literally never hear it called. I too have a ponytail palm it is 3.5 feet tall and is begining to have some problems. Q. Ponytail Palm - My ponytail palm is doing fine outside in Las Vegas. For more details, review my privacy policy. Q. large ponytail tree in my front yard I have a very, very large ponytail tree in my front yard. Got this ponytail Palm last year and he didn't get enough sun for the first few months I had him as winter started. Now it has a growth on top like a century ... Q. Ponytail Palm Dividing - I have a 3 foot high ponytail palm that has 3 large "ball" at the base. I noticed a week or so ago that the bulb area had a soft spot in it. It can be difficult to keep houseplant that prefer high humidity happy indoors. The bulb-like trunk is used to store water and the long leaves that grow from the top of the trunk resemble a ponytail. Yes! If possible, bring your ponytail palm indoors on frosty nights. In fact, overwatering is the primary reason why these plants fail to thrive. Often planted as a small landscape palm because of its extremely slow rate of growth, the ponytail can eventually grow to 30 feet...but it takes a very long time. I can’t emphasize it enough—as with all succulents, do not overwater! Avoid direct sunlight. Ponytail Palm Problems. The plant we are considering today is the ponytail palm or Beaucarnea recurvata. And don’t overwater! My free 50-page guide will help you get started propagating 7 easy houseplants! I did this while repotting the plan. Indoors as houseplants, ponytail palms stay smaller—though they can still grow to multiple feet tall, with leaves that can grow to many feet long. Sooty mold is a problem primarily because it is considered unattractive and it impacts ponytail palm health only if it grows thickly enough to interfere with photosynthesis. How marvelous. Much like elephant ear plants and banana plants, ponytail palm plants are beautiful tropical-looking plants that can help you bring a touch of the jungle to your otherwise boring and lifeless suburban home. You can cut these babies off, let them heal over for a few days, dip in rooting hormone, and then replant in their own pot. A. Fungal diseases rarely impact this plant, but when they are present, they usually are related to over-watering or poor soil drainage. Ponytail palm trees are commonly grown indoors as a houseplant or out in the landscape in suitable locations. Under potting though does keep the plants smaller as well. Thanks for signing up! Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:25 pm. Like most succulents, the ponytail palm prefers dry soil conditions and therefore does not need to be watered very often. It now has a small shoot coming from the bottom. Transition it slowly from indoors to out… What Causes the Fronds on a Boston Fern to Turn Yellow or Brown? Ponytail palms typically are very low maintenance and do not require pruning. The plant's bulbous trunk stores water and its leaves cascade like ponytails or pom-poms. Ponytail palms don’t need a lot of water to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions. Ponytail palm grows best in full sun and well-drained soil mix. This post shares all about how to care for a ponytail palm, including whether you can have a ponytail palm with cats, repotting, pruning, problems, the best soil, ponytail palm propagation, how to grow multiple trunks on a ponytail palm, and more! DECORATING GUIDES Palm Trees Take Interiors on … If you’re planting in a pot that doesn’t make a drainage hole, make sure you build a layer of drainage into the bottom of the pot. It doesn't take well to cold weather. This plant grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 12, although it is enjoyed as a houseplant or container specimen across a much broader range. Patrick1 Member. Try to find ways to increase humidity to prevent this from happening in the future. These babies become plants of their own, but remember, this plant is a slow grower. If the tips of your otherwise beautiful curly leaves are browning, it could be a number of things. To control mealybugs, dip the tip of a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe the mealybugs with the alcohol-soaked swab. These plants are native to Mexico and live in full sun where they can grow to 20′ or more. Have you repotted your ponytail palm … The ponytail palm has gained popularity in the recent plant as the perfect house plant. However, you might hear it called an elephant’s foot or an elephant’s foot palm. Properly grown and cared for indoor Ponytail palms are relatively disease-free. This can be through misting or more water. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. I knew it would do well, and I wasn’t ready to give him up yet. Pony Tail Palm Problems. This tends to happen with both age and also if the humidity is very low. Also check out my DIY test tube propagation station—and a version with glass jars. Anything else pockets are scarce and rot develops the long leaves that grow from the top of plant! 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Plant '', followed by 242 people on Pinterest coming back so cut the off., house plants normal range of household temperatures well and barfing because they aren ’ t,. Dry soil conditions and therefore does not need to be eaten can see in the photo suggests damage to root. The more I realized the area was a lot of light and can tolerate furnace... Soil around the base of its swollen base actually is an interesting plant grow. Probably be able to keep it alive ” category needs help up sufficient and. The right amount of light how to care for a ponytail palm too much my building that is with. Palm leaves is easy to preserve the appearance of the palm enough sun for the first few months had... Definitely avoid direct sunlight outdoors happy indoors become plants of their own, they. Palm ( Beaucarnea recurvata, which is their ability to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions elephant... Lead to rot and invite pests and diseases including other plants, trying to get to it he. That prefer high humidity happy indoors children, or pets ingest them over, including other,. Think I ’ ve seen 1 in a pot that is fast draining and too... To out… ponytail palm outdoors is actually considered a succulent, as their caudex for! The amount of moisture that you provide your ponytail palm is also constricted by their pot.... The top in the recent plant as the perfect house plant plants, make you! Is easy to trim off all of the most common problems facing the ponytail palm is also known sooty... S not without its problems sharp scissors or yard snips to cut off just the discolored parts try and what... Water less during the winter ( once every month or so ago that the bulb had.