Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata
- Light
- Bright, indirect light to some direct sun. Best spot: a south or west window.
- Water
- Let it dry out between waterings
- Humidity
- Fine in ordinary indoor air
- Temperature
- Keep it above 50°F
- Potting mix
- A fast-draining cactus and succulent mix
- Size
- 6 to 8 feet in a pot, slowly
- Pets
- Non-toxic (ASPCA)
How to care for a ponytail palm
Not a true palm: its swollen trunk stores water. Give it a sunny window and a cactus and succulent mix. In summer water deeply, then let it dry out; in winter water much less. It does well in dry, heated indoor air that bothers other houseplants. It can summer on a sheltered patio if moved out gradually, and must come in before temperatures drop toward 50°F.
Common problems
No serious problems. Overwatering, especially in winter, is the usual way to lose one.
Questions people ask
How much light does a ponytail palm need?
Bright, indirect light to some direct sun. Best spot: a south or west window.
How often should I water a ponytail palm?
Let it dry out between waterings.
Is ponytail palm toxic to cats and dogs?
No. Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (listed as Pony Tail).
Sources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.