Beaucarnea recurvata , usually known as Ponytail Palm , has gain ground the prestigiousAward of Garden Meritof the UK ’s Royal Horticultural Society . Despite its common name , it is not close related to thetrue palms . This decorative plant has become popular worldwide and is often arise as a houseplant and an outdoor works in temperate climate gardens .

Beaucarnea recurvataLem .

Bottle Palm , Bottle Ponytail , Elephant ’s Foot , Elephant ’s Foot Tree , Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as Ponytail Palm

In cultivation, Lagoa, Portugal. Photo by Tom Pal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Dasylirion recurvatum , Nolina recurvata , Pincenectia recurvata

Family : AsparagaceaeSubfamily : NolinoideaeGenus : Beaucarnea

The specific name " recurvata(pronounced rek - er - VAY - tuh ) " means " bent backward " and refers to the long , backward - arc leaves of this species .

Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as Ponytail Palm

In cultivation, Staten Island, New York, United States. Photo by Kira Kology. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Beaucarnea recurvatais native to southeasternMexico . It grows on bouldered soils deficient in nutrients , on cliffs , and steep mountains in low deciduous forest , at elevation lay out from 330 to 9,190 substructure ( 100 to 2,800 m ) .

Beaucarnea recurvatais acaudiciformtree with a distinctivetrunkand unripened drooping leaves arranged in dense cluster at the ends of the branches . It can grow up to 30 feet ( 9 molarity ) tall . The trunk base is conceited and typically lack branches when young . It can reach a diameter of 12 feet ( 3.6 m ) and may develop cleft or crackleware   on its   gray surface . Several smaller trunks and sparse branching may formulate near the top as the plant matures . The leaves are shoulder strap - the like with parallel venation andserratedmargins and can grow up to 6 feet ( 1.8 m ) long and 1 inch ( 2.5 cm ) widely .

Once ripe , Beaucarnea recurvataproduces lowly , pick - colored or pink blossom in pyramidal clusters at the branch tips . The flowers look during late spring or summer . The fruit are reddish , 3 - winged capsules , but they are seldom seen in refinement . This plant life isdioecious , entail it has disjoined manful and distaff plant ; only the female plants create seeds .

Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as Ponytail Palm

In cultivation, Riverside, California, United States. Photo by George Tabora. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Light : Beaucarnea recurvatagrows best in full sunlight to partial shade . If you are grow it indoors , place it near a cheery window . During the growing season from spring to fall , it enjoy being outdoors .

Soil : To insure right drain and prevent root rot , use a well - draining grease mix , such as cactus or succulent potting mixture .

Temperature : Beaucarnea recurvatais intolerant of stop dead temperatures and struggles with excessive summer heat , especially when temperatures exceed 110 ° F ( 43 ° C ) . It grows good in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b , with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 30 ° F to 50 ° atomic number 9 ( - 1.1 ° coke to 10 ° C ) .

Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as Ponytail Palm

In cultivation, Lagoa, Portugal. Photo by Tom Pal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Watering : During the growing season , piddle the plant thoroughly when the soil becomes dry . In winter , water it meagrely , about once a calendar month . A flora in a container will involve more frequent watering than a flora in the reason .

fertilize : FeedBeaucarnea recurvatawith a diluted , balanced fertilizer once every month during the growing time of year .

Repotting : houseplant are best grown in relatively small pots .   When a works becomes pot - bound , repot it in the give with invigorated ground in a new commode that is slightly big than the old one . After repotting , give the plant a calendar week or so to readjust before water it again .

extension : Beaucarnea recurvatacan be propagated from cum or by differentiate offset printing that constitute at the pedestal . The best time to separate offsets and seed the seeds is in the natural spring . Before inseminate the seeds , soak them overnight to help initiate sprouting .

Beaucarnea recurvatais a non - toxic plant that is safe for modest children and pets .

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