Elephant-foot Tree Beaucarnea recurvata

A commonly grown houseplant in a sunny window.  They prefer dry winters and do well even with indoor heated air which makes many houseplants suffer.  Plants can be moved outdoors to a protected patio after the last frost date with gradual adjustments to the temperature.  Allow plants to dry out between watering and reduce water in the winter.  Even though it is called ponytail palm, it is not a true palm,  it has a thick swollen stem (caudex) that stores water and narrow dark green strappy leaves that gently curl toward the ends.  The plant almost looks like a plume from a water fountain.  Needs bright light and regular watering.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems though houseplants may experience damage from mealybug, scales, and spider mites. Diseases include stem rot, bacterial leaf streaks, and leaf spots.