Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvata · Family Asparagaceae
Also known as: beaucarnea, elephant's foot, bottle palm
- Light
- Bright indirect to full sun
- Watering
- Every 14 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pet-safe
- Yes
Care
Where to put it
A sunny windowsill or bright living room.
Light
Bright light to full sun. It stores water in its swollen trunk.
Watering
Water thoroughly only when the compost is completely dry.
About the plant
Despite its looks, the ponytail palm is not a palm. Its swollen base stores water, and its thin leaves cascade down like a head of hair. It grows slowly and in a pot is usually 1 to 1.5 metres tall.
Origin
Native to the semi-arid regions of eastern Mexico, where it grows on dry slopes.
What it likes
- Lots of light, including sun
- Infrequent watering
- A small, free-draining pot
What it dislikes
- Too much water
- A dark spot
- Damp cold
Did you know?
The swollen base works as a water reservoir, allowing the plant to go weeks without watering.
