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4.7 out of 5 (193 experiences)


About Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm is not a true palm, but a plant with a thick swollen stem (caudex) that stores water and narrow dark green strappy leaves that gently curl toward the ends. It needs bright light and regular watering. They prefer dry winters and do well even with indoor heated air.
Taxonomy
Beaucarnea recurvata
Beaucarnea
Asparagaceae
Asparagales
Also known as
Nolina recurvata, Elephant Foot Tree and Bottle Palm Tree

How to care for Ponytail Palm
How often to water your Ponytail Palm

every 12
Ponytail Palm needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for Ponytail Palm in your home

a window
Ponytail Palm may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Ponytail Palm in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Ponytail Palm

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ponytail Palm after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Wonder if this little one is getting too much light, or I’m waiting too long in between waterings? Yellow leaf tips #PonytailPalm
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Just got this & I'm not sure what size pot to put it in. Any ideas??
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My Ponytail Palm lost all its leaves! I think it was getting too much water because we’re getting almost daily rain here in Florida now. I repotted it (from a 2” nursery pot to a 4” terracotta pot) and started bringing it inside during rain. I haven’t watered it for over a week now. I also have been putting it under a grow light (not directly under it) for a few hours a day. Is there anything else/different that I should be doing to help save my plant? I really wanted this plant and don’t want to lose it! Thanks in advance for any help and advice y’all can give me. 💚
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Pony tailed palm rotting? Iv had my pony tailed palm for a few years now it’s always had brown tips now I cut them off around the growing period but now it’s leaning and the leaves are turning brown from the inside. Im very worried someone please help!
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My ends of leaves are turning brown why? #PonytailPalm
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I repotted my ponytail plant recently into a bigger pot. I did use a variety of mediums when I repotted it, and now it looks like its dying! I don't know if I should wait it out or put it back in its original pot with just some succulent mix? HELP! #PonytailPalm
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Every single tip on my ponytail is brown. I’m going to re-part today and to better draining soil, but I’m curious is there anyway to fix this? Can I trim off the browns without it growing back brown or am I just doomed to have it look like this forever? #PonytailPalm
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The plant that started it all 5 years ago. Happy Birthday!!!
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I’ve had this ponytail for about a week. The tips are turning brown. #PonytailPalm
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saved ponytail palm from being completely naked on a friends balcony, now it’s sprouting from the base no new growth on the top and i’m slowly removing all the dead leaves to hopefully allow it more energy to grow more (also considering sawing off the top to allow it to start fresh), but i checked it today and noticed it’s sprouting a new node from the caudex. should i leave it be, or try to propagate?
Care Summary for Ponytail Palm
Ponytail Palm
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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