Beaucarnea recurvata , unremarkably bed as the Ponytail Palm , is a typical and presently somewhat voguish household plant .
As you could see from the image , it has an interesting egotistic lower trunk for storing water and long , cascade down leafage resemble a ponytail , which give it its vulgar name . It looks peachy as a stand up - alone feature or in a grouping to add up some alien flair to your home .
This tough plant falls into theEasycare category and is is well - suited forbeginners . It can handle s irregular watering , it does n’t ask frequent impregnation , and it ’s not particularly susceptible to pests and disease . What ’s not to like ?
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Beaucarnea recurvata quick care guide
spirit level of care : Easy
Level of care definitions
All about Beaucarnea recurvata
Beaucarnea recurvata is known as the Elephant ’s Foot Palm , as well as the Ponytail Palm . So , while its foliation resembles a ponytail its sturdy , rough - textured body , is say to front like an elephant ’s modest limb .
This unusual flora is in the agave family and originates from Mexico ’s southeastern dry scrublands .
Interestingly , and despite its name , it is not a palm tree at all but a succulent . And this is why it is so well adapt to conserving piss within its thick luggage compartment .
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During juiceless spells , the trunk shrink pretty and the barque may appear slightly wrinkled as it empties its stored water supply . However , when the rains return ( or it is watered by its owner ) , the plant acts like a parasite , swelling noticeably as it rehydrates .
While Beaucarnea recurvata is not tolerant of cold climates and can suffer root and trunk damage in inert dirt , it is otherwise middling undemanding .
Indoors its increase is small but a large ponytail palm can reach heights of up to 30 animal foot ( 10 m ) in the wild .
Beaucarnea recurvata key facts
How to grow Beacarnea recurvata: the detailed guide
The secret togrowing this plantis not to pamper it .
Where it It come from the dirt are thin and lack in nutrients and the pelting is sporadic . So , it does n’t need a vast amount of attention from you to stay goodish .
In fact , the biggest threat to its wellness will come if you give it too much body of water or over - bung it .
you could take more about caring for your house plants by and large in our comprehensive guide to the 7 critical requirements ofhouse plant care .
Light
Beaucarnea recurvata fly high in bright , collateral sun .
Hot unmediated sunlight can scorch its leaves , while too little light , especially during the grow season , can weaken the plant life .
However , this is one of those tough plant life that you’re able to risk stick out outside in the summer . In fact , if plants could speak , it may well give thanks you if you do . Just check that it is fill in from very strong afternoon sun .
Soil and feeding
Use a well - draining mix designed for cacti or succulent .
A good mixing you could make yourself would combine three parts of a standard potting premix with two parts perlite or coarse sand .
Feed with a balanced plant food in spring and summertime – at half strength to avoid leaf burn . Do not fertilise in fall / capitulation and winter when the flora ’s growth is torpid .
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Watering
water system deeply , allowing the soil to dry out between lachrymation session .
As mentioned , the trunk of the Ponytail Palm functions as a artificial lake , storing water for full stop of drouth . This adjustment makes the plant particularly forgive if you block to irrigate it once in a while .
When you do urine , allow all the piss to drain through and do n’t allow it to sit in water in the external good deal or tray . weewee sparingly in wintertime .
Beaucarnea recurvata
Pruning
Pruning is beaucarnea recurvata is straightforward . Cut away any dead or damaged leaves at the base to maintain the plant ’s visual aspect and health .
Propagation
Propagate using source or by separating offsets . The best time for propagation is during the warmer calendar month .
Beaucarnea recurvata tends to grow cancel of pups , as in the pictorial matter at the top of the page .
When these are young they can be detached to distribute a young flora .
Because it is tough, you can place Beaucarnea recurvata outside in the summer months
However , if you wait too long they develop a bulgy grim trunk of their own which begins to fuse with the egotistic part of the main plant . When this happens , detaching the offsets can damage the works . So do n’t hold off too long to ‘ harvest ’ your offsets .
Here , in brief , is how to disseminate Beaucarnea recurvata by commencement :
spread by seeded player is also possible , but the plant is relatively dull ontogeny , so you call for to be the patient eccentric if you take this approach . Here is how to do it :
Beaucarnea recurvata: ideal location for optimum light
Common Problems and Solutions
As we ’ve see , Beaucarnea recurvata is a tough plant from a pretty unforgiving rude home ground , so it is relatively worry free . But here are some trouble to look out for .
Beaucarnea recurvata troubleshooting guide
Leaves and shoots
Roots
Pests
Winter care
In wintertime , melt off watering and stop fertilising . Ensure the plant is kept aside from cold drafts and has sufficient light .
Read more about how tooverwinter your house plantshere .
Buy Beaucarnea recurvata
So , if you ’ve got this far and are feeling like you ca n’t resist this beautiful plant life , I ’ve listed some purchasing options below , depending on whether you are US or UK base .
The buy links are affiliate links , which signify I ’d be paid a ( very ) humble commission if you go on and buy after penetrate these links . But that does not affect the monetary value you pay .
Beaucarnea recurvata
US Buyers
Uk Buyers
Beaucarnea recurvata: Frequently asked questions
1.Can I use regular potting soil?
It is proficient to use a succulent mixture for better drain . Alternatively , create a barren draining intermixture of your own with grit or perlite .
2.How often should I water my Ponytail Palm in winter?
Water sparingly , only when the soil is dry to the touch two inches below the open .
3.Does the Ponytail Palm bloom indoors?
It ’s rarefied for Beaucarnea recurvata to bloom indoors .
4.Can I plant my Ponytail Palm outside?
Yes , if you be in a frost free climate . But even if you do n’t , you’re able to move the plant outdoors in Summer .
Other great palms
interpret our guide to the 16best indoor palmsto arise and our private guides to caring for these other indoor palms :
Key references and resources
Alloway , Z and Bailey ( F ) . ( 2018)RHS Practical House Plant Book : Choose The good , Display Creatively , Nurture and Care , Royal Horticultural Society , UK .
Camilleri , L and Kaplan , S. ( 2020 ) , Plantopedia : The Definitive Guide to Houseplants , Smith Street Books .
Hessayon , Dr D.G. ( 1991)The New House Plant Expert , PBI Publications , UK .
Brickell , C. ( 2016).Royal Horticultural Society AZ encyclopedia of garden plant life . 4thEdition Dorling Kindersley .
Squire , D. ( 2017).Houseplant Handbook : Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants , Companion House Books .
Nelson , G ( 2021 ) . industrial plant – House plants : Choosing , Styling , Caring . Mitchell Beazley . London
Brickell , C. ( 2011).American horticultural society encyclopedia of plant and flowers . Penguin .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and save about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He antecedently live in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a sheepskin course of instruction in Horticultural study and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bite by the horticulture bug and want to have it away more .
garden stride by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s large mail edict plant life retail merchant , as a website that put out expert horticulture content .
