Ponytail Palm is a long-lived tropical evergreen shrub or tree, commonly grown as a houseplant. Although called a palm, this plant is a succulent. It has a distinctive swollen trunk (caudex) that resembles an elephant's foot and stores water for use over periods of extended drought in its native semi-desert environment. The trunk produces a fountaining rosette of gracefully arching, grass-like bright green leaves. Although delicate in appearance, the strappy leaves are quite tough and leathery with a finely serrated edge of soft, tiny teeth. The branched panicles can be quite large and showy, with masses of small green to creamy white or pink flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees.
Grown in the landscape (Zones 9-10), ponytail palm can reach a height of 30 feet, with a 4- to 5-foot base. Grown in a container, the plant grows much slower and remains much smaller, especially indoors, reaching only about 1 to 3 feet tall. Keeping container size relatively small will help keep growth in-check. Female ponytail palms will bloom with age, in optimal conditions. However, houseplants rarely bloom.
An easy-grow, low-maintenance plant, ponytail palm grows best in sunny, warm, and dry locations with well-draining soil, but it tolerates a wide range of conditions. Use potting soil for cacti and add sand or gravel for enhanced drainage, if necessary. Water deeply, but infrequently, and slow watering during winter dormancy. Overwatering may result in plant death. Fertilize once or twice during the growing season. Older leaves that dry up and turn yellow can be removed to improve the plant's appearance. If moving container plant indoors to outdoors seasonally, allow plant to acclimatize gradually.
Sow ponytail palm seeds in spring when soil is warm and temperatures are 68°F minimum.
