Beaucarnea recurvata (Pony Tail Palm)

An exclamation point in the landscape, award-winning Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) is an evergreen shrub or tree forming a bulbous trunk-like stem crowned with a dense rosette of long, downward-curving, bright green, grassy leaves. Resembling an elephant’s foot, the greatly swollen base of the trunk (caudex) stores water just like a camel’s hump, enabling this plant to go dry for long periods. The trunk is usually single with young plants, but several smaller trunks as well as some sparse branching near the top may develop with age. Panicles of small white flowers are rarely produced. Beaucarnea recurvata makes a dramatic focal point and looks striking when planted in groups.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows with an upright habit up to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
• Easily grown in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Water moderately when in growth and keep just moist in winter. Top dress or pot on in spring. May be grown outdoors in most moderately fertile, sharply drained soils. Drought tolerant. Does extremely well indoors if provided bright light and not overwatered.
• Great for beds and borders, city gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in dry frost-free areas or in decorative containers. An excellent houseplant that can be moved outdoors each year after the last spring frost date.
• Virtually disease free. Watch for spider mites, mealybug, and scale.
• Fading leaves may be peeled off. Brown leaf tips may be clipped off.
• Propagate by seed in spring or root offsets in spring
• Native to semi-desert areas of southeastern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala