Beaucarnea recurvata Ponytail
Description
Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as the Ponytail Palm or Elephant Foot Tree, is a unique and striking succulent known for its bulbous trunk and long, arching, grass-like leaves. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm but is prized for its distinctive appearance and easy-care nature, making it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor landscapes.
Flowers
Ponytail Palm rarely flowers indoors. When it does flower, it produces small, creamy-white to pinkish flowers on tall, branched inflorescences that rise above the foliage. Flowering typically occurs in mature plants during late spring to summer.
Foliage
The leaves are long, narrow, and strap-like, growing in a fountain-like cascade from the top of the trunk. They can reach up to 1-2 meters in length and are bright green, providing a lush, grassy appearance. The foliage emerges from the top of the bulbous trunk, resembling a ponytail, hence the common name.
Fruit
The fruit is a small, inconspicuous capsule that contains tiny seeds. It is not typically produced indoors and is of little ornamental value.
Form and Size
Ponytail Palm typically grows to a height of 1.5-3 meters indoors, and up to 6-9 meters in its natural habitat. It has a distinctive swollen trunk base that can reach up to 1 meter in diameter. The trunk is topped with a rosette of arching, ribbon-like leaves, creating a dramatic and sculptural form.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. It can tolerate poor soils and is drought-tolerant once established.
- Sunlight: Thrives in bright, indirect light to full sun. It can tolerate lower light conditions but grows best with plenty of light.
- Water: Requires minimal watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Climate: Suitable for arid and semi-arid climates. It prefers warm temperatures and is frost-sensitive.
Uses
- Indoor Plant: Ideal for use as a houseplant due to its low maintenance and unique appearance. It adds a touch of the exotic to interior spaces.
- Landscaping: Suitable for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and as an accent plant in outdoor landscapes. It can also be used in containers for patios and balconies.
- Ornamental: The swollen trunk and cascading leaves provide a dramatic and sculptural look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any setting.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any yellow or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from occasional feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs. Ensure good air circulation to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Ponytail Palm is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or indoor space. Its unique trunk and cascading foliage make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts and interior designers.
Companion Plants
- Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)
- Aloe vera (Aloe)
- Echeveria spp. (Echeveria)
- Sedum spp. (Stonecrop
Common Name
Ponytail Palm, Elephant Foot Tree
Botanical Name
Beaucarnea recurvata
Family
Asparagaceae
Origin
Native to eastern Mexico
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
