Full Size Ponytail Palm
*height measurements from the ground up
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Description
You can go away for a couple of weeks, forget all about the ponytail palm, and come home to find it perfectly content. That easygoing streak comes from its thick, bulbous trunk, which stores water like a camel's hump and gives the plant its other name, the elephant's foot. Up top, long curly leaves spill out and arch over in every direction, like water from a green fountain. The ponytail palm is a succulent, related to agaves and yuccas, and it comes from the dry hills of eastern Mexico, so indoors it grows slowly to around 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m).
It's the plant people stop and ask about, partly for that characterful trunk and partly because it asks so little of you in return. A bright spot and the occasional drink are about all it wants, which makes it a friendly pick whether you're new to plants or simply busy. If you'd like to see the exact shape and fullness of yours, we can walk you through the greenhouse on a live video call before it comes home.
Care
Are ponytail palms hard to care for?
Ponytail palms are some of the most low-effort plants we sell, so this is a lovely one to start with if plant care feels intimidating. Give it good light and let it dry out between waterings, and it will happily look after itself, and we're always here if you'd like a hand.
Do ponytail palms like a lot of sun?
Yes, your ponytail palm wants plenty of bright light, ideally right by your sunniest window. It can cope with a bit less than that, though it will grow more slowly, so the brighter the spot you can offer, the happier it will be.
How often do you water a ponytail palm?
Water your ponytail palm only when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil have dried out, which often works out to every 3 to 4 weeks indoors. Soak it thoroughly, let all the excess drain away, and cut right back in winter, since that trunk holds its own water reserve and overwatering is the one thing to avoid.
What pot and soil does a ponytail palm like?
Ponytail palms prefer a snug pot rather than a roomy one, and a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix suits them best. That combination keeps water moving through quickly, which is exactly what a plant built for dry desert soil wants at home.
Do you need to fertilize a ponytail palm?
Feed your ponytail palm lightly with a cactus or balanced fertilizer, about once every other month through spring and summer. It's a slow, steady grower that doesn't need much, so skip feeding altogether in fall and winter while it rests.
Does a ponytail palm need pruning?
Ponytail palm pruning is refreshingly minimal, since these grow slowly and keep their shape on their own. You can snip off any dry, brown leaf tips to tidy it up, though it's best to leave the top growing point alone so the leafy crown keeps filling out.
How big does a ponytail palm get indoors?
Indoors, your ponytail palm will slowly reach around 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) over many years, so there's no rush to rearrange the room. Keeping it in a snug pot naturally slows that growth, which is handy if you'd like it to stay a more compact size.
Pet friendly?
Great news for pet households:
the ASPCA lists the ponytail palm as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, so it's a reassuring choice to have around animals. As with any houseplant, a pet chewing a big mouthful of leaves could get a mildly upset stomach, so a spot that's a little out of reach keeps everyone happy.
Is the ponytail palm safe for dogs?
The ponytail palm is non-toxic to dogs, so a curious sniff or nibble isn't a cause for worry. To keep the leaves looking their best, it's still worth placing it somewhere a playful tail or mouth won't reach.
Is the ponytail palm safe for cats?
Cats are safe around the ponytail palm too, as the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to felines. Since those long, curly leaves are tempting to bat at, a higher shelf or a quieter corner protects both the plant and your cat's fun.
Factoids
Is a ponytail palm actually a palm?
The ponytail palm is a succulent in the asparagus family, closely related to agaves and yuccas. The palm name just comes from its single trunk topped with a fountain of leaves, which gives it that palm-like look without making it a true palm.
What else is the ponytail plant called, and why?
Its botanical name is Beaucarnea recurvata, and you'll also see it sold as the elephant's foot or bottle palm, both nods to that swollen, water-storing trunk. The ponytail palm tree name comes from the way its leaves cascade down like a ponytail.
How fast does a ponytail palm grow?
Ponytail palms are slow, patient growers, adding just a little height each year. That relaxed pace is part of the appeal, since your plant holds its shape for a long time and rarely needs repotting more than once every couple of years.
How long do ponytail palms live?
With that steady pace comes real longevity, and a well-kept ponytail palm can live for decades, often outliving the person who first bought it. It's the sort of plant that becomes a long-term companion and can even be passed down over the years.
Buy a ponytail palm
A ponytail palm gives you that big, leafy, tropical-looking centerpiece with about as little upkeep as a houseplant can ask for. Ours arrive full and healthy from our New Jersey greenhouse, and if you'd like to choose yours first, book a free video shopping call so we can show you around the greenhouse on camera. We then deliver it ourselves by van and driver, no shipping box in sight, and stay on hand to help with ponytail palm care for as long as you own it.
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Ponytail palm, easy-care indoor plant | Dahing Plants
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Meet the ponytail palm, a drought-tolerant indoor plant that thrives on neglect. Get ponytail palm care tips, see yours on a free video call, and we deliver.
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