| One of the most dependable and interesting houseplants we have grown, Ponytail Palm or Elephant's Foot is a succulent that grows in a snap from seed, reaching 6 feet or more in containers and offering a large, wide, beautiful spray of foliage, each leaf just an inch wide but cascading out and down up to 6 feet long. Very easy to grow in any bright window, it is long-lived plant that always looks fresh and healthy. Ponytail Palm takes its name from the way the foliage gathers at the base, then cascades out in all directions, making a very elegant show atop a central long, thick trunk. The base of this trunk bulges out right above the soil line, lending this plant its other common name of Elephant's Foot. This gives it interesting texture. In large containers, the base of this plant can reach 3 to 4 feet across, but it will adapt to more compact conditions as well. Ponytail Palm is easy! A member of the Agave family native to Central America, Ponytail Palm is hardy in zones 9-11, where it will grow considerably larger in the garden -- 15 feet tall is typical. But it thrives anywhere indoors, given bright light and a mild low-nitrogen fertilizer (6-6-6 is good) twice a year. Any potting soil is fine, and let it dry out a bit between waterings; overwatering is more of a danger than underwatering. You will love this easy, charming plant! Pkt is 10 seeds. |
