Plant DetailShow Menu

Elephant-foot Tree Beaucarnea recurvata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
bew-KAIR-nee-uh ree-ker-VAY-tuh
Description

Ponytail palm is an evergreen perennial in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to Mexico and is commonly grown as a houseplant. It grows in rocky, poor soils in low deciduous forests.

It is slow growing, drought tolerant and hardy to 50 degrees F. In its native habitat, it can grow 30 feet tall but in a pot it will grow 6 to 8 feet tall. Plant in well-drained soils such as those for cactus and succulents and provide a sunny window. Ponytail palm prefers dry winters and does well even with indoor heated air, which makes many houseplants suffer.  Plants can be moved outdoors to a protected patio with gradual adjustments to the temperature.  In summer, water deeply but allow plants to dry out between waterings. Greatly 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.  It rarely blooms as a houseplant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

In tropical areas, it can be planted outdoors. In temperate areas, it will need to be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter.

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#interiorscape#palm#strappy leaves#winter interest#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#interiorscape#palm#strappy leaves#winter interest#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Beaucarnea
    Species:
    recurvata
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico (Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz)
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Description:
    Seasonal bloomer creamy white flowers in clusters but rarely appear on houseplants.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Strappy palm-like leaves 6' long but only 1" wide that cascade
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought