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Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata

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

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.

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#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#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Beaucarnea
    Species:
    recurvata
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    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
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    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:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    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 Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Description:
    Seasonal bloomer creamy white flowers but rarely appear on houseplants.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    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