Sign up for our newsletter. Place the rootball in the hole, making sure that the ponytail palm will set at about the same height as it was in the pot. Its palm-like trunk has a massive, swollen base, which may reach 3 metres (10′) in diameter. Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is not a true palm at all, but a succulent plant with dramatic, elongated foliage that sits atop a trunk-like stem with a bulbous base. Select a well-draining location in full sun, where your ponytail palm will have room for its bulbous base to expand by several feet. Plant details. If your ponytail palm develops pups, wait until they are a good size, ideally around 4 inches in length, before you remove them from the parent plant. Divide ponytail palm shoots in the Spring by carefully excavating the soil from around the base to expose the connection. (Note: Like all living things, each plant grows at its own pace. When plants get extremely root bound, you’ll have to work to … If you are looking for a low maintenance houseplant that over the years, could grow into a full indoor tree-sized plant, the ponytail palm is for you.. Let me first tell you that your ponytail palm tree isn’t a real palm or a real tree at all.It is part of the Agave family and a so-called caudex plant.Meaning a plant that forms a water … How to Care for a Cordyline Dracena Plant, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Beaucarnea Recurvata, New Mexico State University: Southwest Yard and Garden Archives. But, don’t worry. Here’s how this Ponytail Palm looked on my back patio in Santa Barbara a few years after its 1st transplanting. How to care for your Ponytail palm. Make sure the pot has drainage as well. For example, if the seed is 1-inch in diameter, plant the seed 1 inch deep in the soil. *This plant is only available for local pickup orders in Pittsburgh. Ponytail Palm succulents are some of the most resilient type of plants out there due to their ability to survive drought and handle full sunlight for a long time. If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Ponytail Palm lightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation. The Ponytail Palm plant is no exception! Ponytail Palm Root and Stem Rot. So, if you observe dry foliage, shriveled base, deplete roots or brown leaves, it is clearly the sign you are over-watering it. Bury a ponytail palm pup so that the widest part of its base sticks out of the soil. The leaves grow in clumps with a base that attaches to the trunk. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. Outdoors, it can reach up to 8-10 meters, and its bulb-like trunk can reach a diameter of up to 3 meters. You need to give it well-draining soil. Your ponytail palm plant has been carefully potted in premium potting soil blended by our partners at Miracle-Gro. Kristi Waterworth started her writing career in 1995 as a journalist for a local newspaper. After a while the soil becomes impoverished and its nutrition depleted. Stop filling the pot when the plant's rootball is even with the soil level. Ponytail palms typically are very low maintenance and do not require pruning. Regardless of the reason, potting a ponytail palm is a simple task for gardeners at any skill level. These plants produce little “pups” when propagating themselves. The care instructions for ponytail palm are relatively short. The Ponytail Palm is an evergreen plant. This plant is great at surviving long periods without water. It grows very slowly, but with patience and proper care, it can grow quite tall. Fill the new pot with enough potting mix to set the ponytail palm where its bulbous base will partially emerge from the pot. Ponytail shoots divide quickly from the mother plant and require a short period of rooting to produce heartier viable ponytail plants. It grows very slowly, but with patience and proper care, it can grow quite tall. In case the plant has to wet through sodden soil or excessive moisture, it will show the signs of root and stem rot. Spring is the best time to divide ponytail palm shoots. It is closely related to desert plants like Joshua trees. Because ponytail palm care requires dry soil, it is best to let them get root bound before repotting and when you do repot them, use a pot that is only an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.) It does not resist the cold. The ponytail palm plant is a misleading name. The base of the ponytail palm has a bulging appearance with a more narrow trunk , topped with a fountain of long, slender leaves resembling blades of grass. You may know that Ponytail palm is a desert plant that thrives in well-drained soil. The Ponytail Palm plant does not need too much water. Water the soil again. Once the plant is out of the pot, wash the roots in running water to remove the soil. The common characteristics of this plant include a bulbous trunk, which is used to store water, and its long, hair-like leaves that grow from the top of the trunk like a ponytail, giving the plant its renowned name. Outdoors, it can reach up to 8-10 meters, and its bulb-like trunk can reach a diameter of up to 3 meters. You may also notice the trunk start to wrinkle and go limp. During Hotter Months — You’ll want to water your ponytail palm plant once every 7-10 days. I could have easily divided this Ponytail Palm into 3 plants because there was a bit of separation between each bulbous base and each had substantial root growth. In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent. You don’t want to put your ponytail palm plants in a pot that is too big. But growing a ponytail palm outdoors is actually more common, believe it or not! LOOSEN THE ROOT BALL. Knife. You’ll need to understand the basic needs in order to keep it alive. The first thing that you will want to get right when caring for ponytail palm plants will be to pot them properly. When grown outdoors, it is best planted in a cactus/succulent potting mix and placed in the sunniest spot you can find; in the right location, it is largely trouble-free, provided it gets a modest amount of water at regular … When growing ponytail palm as a houseplant, you should let the soil dry out significantly in between waterings. Don’t clip the ends of the leaves—they are the best part! The trick with ponytail palms is not to overwater. Fertilize the ponytail palm once per year, in the spring when the plant begins to produce new growth. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms ().It has become popular in Europe and worldwide as an ornamental plant. Brush away as much soil as possible from the rootball and examine the roots. Since this plant is a succulent, it grows best in semi-dry conditions. Sep 19, 2019 - Explore Ken Margerum Foundation 501(c)'s board "ponytail palm" on Pinterest. The Ponytail Palm is drought tolerant, slow-growing, and requires very little care. The Ponytail Palm will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight. Plant your ponytail palm in fast-draining soil like cactus mix, in a pot that’s just an inch or two larger than the root ball. It just might mean more work … Using a clean and sharp knife, pry and then cut the pup away from the plant. If you don’t abide to that precise schedule, don’t fret. You May Also Like: Snake Plant Care - Top Tips For Growing Sansevieria. A month after planting, start feeding with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This has to do with the soil itself rather than an overgrown root system. This means that as long as you place it outdoors in the summer, it will tolerate any indoor light conditions you keep it in during the winter. The ponytail palm is a gorgeous house plant that’s pretty easy to take care of but one problem that commonly occurs is the tips of the leaves turning brown. In the past, it has been classified as either Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata, but the latter is now the correct classification of this plant. In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent. In winter, if it is frosty weather, put it at home, in a room with little heating and good light. Plant the Ponytail palm seed at the same depth as its size. Carefully excavate around the base of the parent plant to expose the base of the pups. Spread any exposed roots away from the base of the plant so they will not be trapped underneath. In summertime the plant should be sprayed with water so that it has humidity, otherwise, the tips of its leaves dry out. Even with the best ponytail palm plant care, you will have to wait a long time for this tree to branch. Use a sterilized knife to slice the pup off of the plant. Choosing Soil and a Pot Use a fast draining soil, such as a cacti and succulent potting mix. Solution? Waterworth received a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Columbia College. First, remove the plant from its pot by sliding a flat instrument, like a dinner knife, around the inside of the container. Ponytail palms, also known as elephant foot, are fantastic and cute indoor houseplants, as their caudex makes for a striking appearance…. See more ideas about palm, plants, ponytail palm tree. In the months of high temperatures, fertilize monthly with natural or organic fertilizer. You can separate this offset from the base of your tree when it is 4 inches tall. Occasionally a ponytail palm will develop what is called an offset. How to Propagate Ponytail Palms Using Offsets. Ponytail palm care is very easy, and growing ponytail palms as a houseplant is a great way to add a stunning and visually interesting plant to almost any room. An offset is a baby plant that is attached to the base of the parent plant. At this point, it should have developed a small root system of its own. Plant Care ; Additional Info ; Reviews (1) Description. The ponytail palm is not a palm at all, but a member of the agave family. Planter: All of our plant containers are equipped with drainage holes and a saucer tray to keep your plant happy and your surfaces dry. Small ponytail palms grown in containers are fairly easy to move to bigger pots. With that said, the ponytail palm does have it’s weaknesses which is largely due to bad care from us humans. Plant the Ponytail palm seed at the same depth as its size. Select a pot that has a hole in the bottom, so that excess water can be drained off. The many pups that an older ponytail palm produce are also tempting to pot and give away to friends. To remove a pup, brush soil away from the base of the plant so you can get at the pups. What is the Best Temperature for the Ponytail Palm Plant. However, if you want to grow multiple trunks on a ponytail palm, you can take the drastic action of cutting off the plant’s growing tip. Remove any roots that are black or mushy or have a bad odor before replanting the palm. For example, if the seed is 1-inch in diameter, plant the seed 1 inch deep in the soil. This plant needs only some water every two weeks and during winter only once monthly. Ponytail Palms in the Landscaping 1. Bury ponytail pups just up to the point where their bases flare out. Solution? … Its palm-like trunk has a massive, swollen base, … Water the soil again. These guys aren’t fussy about their light conditions. An offset is a baby plant that is attached to the base of the parent plant. The clump is an offset or pup. Select a well-draining pot slightly larger than the pot your ponytail palm currently occupies, or a small pot about two inches wider than the pup if you're planting the ponytail palm for the first time. Any more than this and the plant may develop brown tips on the leaves. 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. It is actually not technically part of the palm family, but is a succulent. Pony tail palm plant. If you’re convinced that you need one of your own, here’s how to keep one happy. Dec 15, 2018 - Explore Chris Zimmerman Law's board "Ponytail Plant", followed by 242 people on Pinterest. Common name: Ponytail palm, elephant’s foot tree. PONYTAIL PALM PLANT CARE FAQ . The Ponytail Palm Plant is a slow-growing plant and needs little fertilizer. But first, let’s take a look at a bit of background information about the ponytail palm. At this point, it should have developed a small root system of its own. If you have a plant in a 10" container or larger it should probably dry out more. I have a ponytail palm and its leaves have steadily begun to droop and brown. Twist the pot slightly, if necessary, to dislodge the rootball. Any pot material is fine, but terracotta is a good choice if you’re prone to overwatering your plants because it absorbs moisture from the soil. Ponytail Palm Root and Stem Rot. Growing ponytail palms in the home is easy. Let the soil dry out 1" or so from the soil line. Water the palm thoroughly to settle the soil and help with transplant shock. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a thorough soak is in order. Place the rootball on top of the potting mix, carefully tucking new mix around the plant. Select a well-draining location in full sun, where your ponytail palm will have room for its bulbous base to expand... 2. The Ponytail Palm will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight. Make sure to keep the mulch layer 4-6″ away from the trunk of your tree to avoid moisture accumulating and causing rot. Water the pot thoroughly, adding potting mix if necessary. When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. As with all plants known for their longevity, the ponytail palm will need repotting every couple of years. This case is usually indicative of overwatering. 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. If the soil remains wet for too long, your plant will develop root rot. Grasp the base of the plant and gently tip it from its pot. Oddly enough, a ponytail palm tree is neither a palm nor a tree. Ponytail palm plant loves to be in dry conditions (mostly). The ponytail palm, also known as the elephant’s foot, is a whimsical-looking, low-maintenance plant that anyone can enjoy caring for. Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. For best results, keep your ponytail palm in a place where it will receive bright, full sun during the spring and summer months. The Ponytail Palm Plant likes heat and light. 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. The Ponytail Palm is drought tolerant, slow-growing, and requires very little care. Pruning and How to Grow Multiple Trunks on a Ponytail Palm. Remove any roots that are dark or mushy before repotting your plant. Other common names for this plant include bottle palm tree or elephant foot tree. Use a leaf rake to surround the base of your ponytail palm with at least 1″ of mulch. Ponytail palm houseplants are one plant that can really thrive on neglect. Shoots that are 4 inches or longer make the best starters. Ponytail palms are plants that thrive in sunlight, particularly bright, indirect sunlight. This plant cannot be shipped* Lighting: high light preferred - on a windowsillWatering Frequency: water every other weekWatering Amount: allow soil to completely dry out between wateringsSoil: regular, indoor potting mix from your local garden center will do the trick Pet friendly Comes in a 6" diameter nursery pot. See more ideas about ponytail plant, plants, house plants. If you’re here because you’re looking for a way to fix this problem, don’t worry, I’m here to help. It certainly has gotten bigger! Plant ponytail palms in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Dig a hole slightly larger than the rootball of the ponytail palm you are transplanting. Ponytail palms only need to be fertilized two or three times per year. This case is usually indicative of overwatering. Allow the soil (2-3 inches) to dry between watering sessions. How to Grow a Ponytail Palm Ponytail palm can be grown as an outdoor plant only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it prefers a sandy soil in a full-sun location. The ponytail palm has gained popularity in the recent plant as the perfect house plant.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. Eventually, every ponytail palm will need to be replanted into a larger pot or moved outside into the landscaping. The Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is an evergreen perennial native to eastern Mexico and has been found to grow up to 15 feet tall and 350 years old!Despite its common name, the Ponytail Palm is not a true palm, and requires care similiar to that of other desert-dwelling plants like cacti or succulents. Choosing to put this plant in the succulent can be done. So, the most common problem with the Ponytail Palm is when rots due to overwatering. What Are The Signs of Root and Stem Rot? To remove them, wait until spring and then excavate enough soil around the base of the plant’s trunk so that you can see where the pup joins the mother. You can separate this offset from the base of your tree when it is 4 inches tall. From there, her meandering career path led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the real estate industry. However, because these are hardy plants, they can survive in a variety of lighting conditions. Occasionally a ponytail palm will develop what is called an offset. Well, it’s not really a palm (Arecaceae), although it looks like one; and it’s not a Dracaena, although it is in the same plant family – the Asparagaceae. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Not sure what's causing it, but it seems to have taken a turn for the worse since I moved it away from the window since it's gotten colder during the nights. Ponytail Palm Houseplant History. On the other hand, the plant accepts most soil types, including sandy and loamy. Can a Ponytail Palm plant be grown outside? All you really need to do to propagate it is to remove the pup from an existing plant and repot it. Knock the excess soil from the rootball and examine the roots carefully. If you accidentally leave your Ponytail Palm’s soil completely dry for too long, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown and curl. I worked in the interior plantscaping trade for years & have seen & maintained many, many houseplants. Rooting hormone . The ponytail palm is native to parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Light . In this post, we’ll review an easy ponytail palm care guide, as well as how to propagate the ponytail palm. Provide a shade cloth for any ponytail palms that have been transplanted from indoors, gradually removing it as the season progresses. Use a clean, sharp knife and cut the pup away from the adult plant. Cutting back ponytail palm is not an effective method of maintenance in that it would leave an open trunk and no greenery. This has to do with the soil itself rather than an overgrown root system. They require infrequent watering and don’t mind low-light conditions. Place plants in bright indoor light or grow outside in sunny areas of zones 10 to 11. These plants are graceful additions to landscapes in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10a through 11, but are more often found indoors. Technically, a ponytail palm tree needs bright light, but because it is such a forgiving plant, it will be okay if you give it bright light about half the time. This doesn't mean give it a tiny drink...it means give it a long thirst-quenching one and then let it dry out before watering again. If you repot them into a larger pot, they can get too much water at once, which can damage their growth and health. The Ponytail Palm Plant likes heat and light. Oddly enough, a ponytail palm tree is neither a palm nor a tree. Other common names for this plant include the bottle palm tree or the elephant foot tree. Pups that are 4 inches (10 cm.) After a while the soil becomes impoverished and its nutrition depleted. My ponytail palm was a housewarming gift given to me by my brother-in-law’s girlfriend. Several things stand out in my mind as I look at this plant. wider than the previous pot. Check the soil, put your finger into the mix and, if it sticks to your hand, it doesn’t need watering. Beaucarnea recurvata, the elephant's foot or ponytail palm, is a species of plant in the family Asparagaceae.The species was native to numerous states of eastern Mexico but is now confined to the state of Veracruz. Place the container in a warm and sunny location and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. How to Plant Ponytail Palm Seeds. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. As with all plants known for their longevity, the ponytail palm will need repotting every couple of years. What Are The Signs of Root and Stem Rot? It does not resist the cold. You may know that Ponytail palm is a desert plant that thrives in well-drained soil. tall are usually forming a root base and make the best starts.