Ponytail Palms aka Beaucarnea Recurvata
Ponytail Palms have a swollen bottoms and as they age their trunk grows taller and their bottom grows wider. They have long cascading leaves that start at the tip of the trunk and spill down the sides like a ponytail. They can easily last your lifetime. This plant will store water in its swollen trunk base for those hot dry summer days. Although it has a palm-like appearance, the ponytail is not a true palm and is actually related to the Agave and Yucca. It is considered an evergreen perennial. It can reach 30 feet at maturity (outdoors). But they are very-very slow growing. Cold hardy in zone 9. It is moderately salt tolerant. Loves humidity and is very drought tolerant. Also, loves a sunny spot in your landscape and absolutely needs well-draining soil. Grow it in your landscape or you can grow it in a container. Grow it indoors or outside in your landscape. You have lots of options! Your Ponytail outdoors will flower after 10 years or more of growing. The flowers are said to be small and can be white or yellow. You can limit the growth of a Ponytail palm by keeping it in a container and/or growing it indoors. They make great house plants for those who travel frequently and can't be at home to water on a regular basis. Inside or outside don't let them sit in moist soil. I like using a clay pot for my Ponytail palm, it's porous and will absorb some of the water. But is not a necessity. Fertilize in the spring, summer, and fall with a good granular slow release fertilizer. Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.
TheFARM and Big Legue Garden Center is located at 1625 Airport Rd., Ormond Beach, FL 32174. Just west of the I95 overpass and east of Tymber Creek Rd. Hours are 10amm to 4pm - Tuesday to Saturday.
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