Beaucarnea recurvata ( Ponytail Palm ) is an evergreen tree that is native to dry regions of Mexico. Often mistaken as a species of palm, it has gained popularity as an indoor feature plant in temperate climates. With an unusually swollen trunk and dreadlock-looking hair style, the Ponytail Palm certainly stands out. They require very little maintenance, are drought tolerant and thrives inside a bright and sunny room in the home.
Suitable for Temperate (indoors), Dry, Arid and Sub-Tropical climates.
Other common names for the Ponytail Palm includes the Elephant Foot, Monja, and Bottle palm.
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Growth
Beaucarnea recurvata is an evergreen perennial that grows to heights of up to 10 metres (32 feet) and up to 1.5 metres wide (5 feet). Ponytail Palms grow a single palm-like stem that has a notably wide caudex that is used for storing water. They are slow growers are very drought-tolerant, going eight months without rain in their natural habitat. Leaves are green lineal, thin, flat and bend like arches. They can eventually reach up to 4.5 metres long (14.5 feet) which is roughly half the maximum height of the tree. Leaves should not be trimmed as they will lose their distinctive shape.
If grown outdoors, the Ponytail Palm will produce small white flowers once the plant reaches ten years of age.
Beaucarnea recurvata is native to a very unusual part of the world, where semi-desert meets coastal shoreline which creates challenges when growing outdoors anywhere else. In its natural habitat, the Ponytail Palm enjoys year-round temperatures of 20 °C/ 68°F but only an annual rainfall of around 800mm (31 inches).
So, despite Australia’s vast range of climatic conditions perhaps only patches of northern Western Australia nearer to the coastline could claim to closely replicate the conditions found in Veracruz, Mexico. Any other areas that provide the warm year-round temperatures will often produce too much rain. While the lower rainfall and deserted regions of Australia often come with temperatures too cold for a Ponytail Palm to survive.
Many gardeners grow the Ponytail Palms indoors where they can control the year-round temperatures and limit the watering. The only downside for growing them indoors is that will rarely come to flower.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asparagaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5 to 40°C / 41 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Prefers well-draining, a succulent mix or half sand, half soil mixture.
LOCATION:
Full Sun or Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet). Indoor up to 1.8 metres (6 feet).
WIDTH:
Up to 2 metres (8 feet)
pH:
6.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
8-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
14-28 days.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately N/A
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT BEAUCARNEA RECURVATA (Pony Tail Palm)
Despite the popular common name, Ponytail Palms are more closely related to asparagus than they are palms and are actually grown the same way as a succulent. In the wild, Beaucarnea recurvata is considered almost extinct in its native habitat which is now confined to the sole state of Veracruz in Mexico.
The latin epithet for recurvata means curved backwards.
In Mexico, there are registered specimens that are said to be around 350 years old.
