Never leave it in water (this applies to almost all indoor plants). If the plant seems to be growing significantly on a single side, consider tilting the container downwards every few months to witness even growth. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This forces new leaves to grow out of the side of the cluster, instead of growing vertically. This plant is native to semi-desert areas of Central America, and when planted outdoors it does best in relatively sandy but organically rich soil. Ponytail Palm Pruning The Ponytail Palm Plant does not require special pruning. Ponytail palm plants are very drought tolerant because they can store water in their big, bulbous trunks. Ponytail Palm can be pruned any time of the year, but it is less likely to be damaged during the growing season (spring until fall) because it is still active. Do this for four to five days before placing it in the landscape or on the patio full-time. You will see that the leaves grow in clumps and are attached at the base to the mother. Potted ponytail palms are readily available for home cultivation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. About the only problem with these plants is overwatering. It will be a good idea to fertilize the plant after pruning, especially when done in the growing season, to boost new growth. Betty is passionate about sharing the best practices and knowledge gained from the research and practice of interior design. To top your palm, cut off the main stem about 6 inches below the crown of the leaves. Sago palm doesn't require any pruning except to remove old leaves as they fade. Whether it is growing exotic flowers or simple houseplants, he takes joy in nurturing his plants and watching them thrive. Similarly, cut back on watering in winter to prevent soggy soil at least once or twice throughout the winter. The good news is that your ponytail palm is easy to care for once you know how. Lets dive in and see what makes this species so special. The tips may also become brown in the sunlight. Run the shovel under the root ball to cut the small roots down. Moon Valley Nurseries grows and nurtures a variety of Ponytail Palms, including mature plants. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. They can be shaped and trimmed to suit your dcor with a few easy steps. Set the cells on a tray near a bright window in a 70F room. Sunlight can also cause the tips to go brown. When I do this, I keep the plant at eye level and check my work regularly to prevent it from snipping away too much of the plant. No votes so far! You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The most important thing to remember is never to cut off the top of the plant, as this will damage it beyond repair when pruning; always cut at an angle so water can drain properly and avoid rot. It is suited to outdoor cultivation in warm, dry regions of USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. Keep them close to the window with indirect sunlight to promote the quick healing of freshly cut leaves. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. Pruning removes dead and dying foliage, branches, and stubs, allowing room for new growth and protection from damage. Remove any infections found before pruning your bonsai. Water every 3-4 weeks. I always make sure that when I separate the pups, I get some of the root system as well as the small clump of new growth. For growing indoors, pot a ponytail palm in a smallish container filled with a cactus/ succulent potting mix that is blended with some peat. Generally, however, this is a difficult task to master because of a lack of roots on the offsets. Mimic those conditions by watering the plant deeply every few weeks in winter. Also called offsets, they should be divided from the main plant in spring and planted as separate, although cloned, plants. Caught early, all generally respond to a treatment or two with organic neem oil. After watering it once, let 2/3 of the soil dry out between watering. Fertilize your Ponytail Palm once or twice a month during spring and summer, but cut back if you have pruned the plant in early winter. As a houseplant that can achieve a height of eight feet given room to continually increase the size of its caudex, it bears noting that there may come a time when the pot becomes too unwieldy to move. Houseplants are unlikely to bloom, because of the restriction of the caudex by a container. The caudex is a water-storing marvel that enables this palm to endure semi-desert conditions, tolerating drought, and going a few weeks without supplemental moisture. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause them to drop off.-Protect your ponytail palm from cold temperatures. Reduce feeding during the winter. The miniature tail palms are distinctive because the foliage falls to the ground and the trunk mimics an elephants leg. The simplest way to get started with a ponytail palm is to purchase a potted nursery plant from your local garden center or online. A ponytail palm is a great candidate for the ancient Asian art of miniaturizing trees with selective pruning to stunt growth while preserving natural forms. Evergreen ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is not actually a palm, but a succulent in the Asparagaceae family that also includes agave and asparagus. Read More: How To Prune A Pomegranate Tree. You may be tempted to cut this plant on the tail, but this will darken the edges of the leaves. Watering too much is the most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot. Ponytail palms are easy to care for and require very little trimming. If a succulent commercial mix is not your choice, make it at home using one part of regular potting soil, one part perlite or pumice, and coarse sand. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ideal Temperature 3. Bright, indirect sunlight is best. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Its native to Mexico and Central America but can be grown in other parts of the world. Repot in the spring as needed. Next, trim the top of the leaf cluster by removing 2/3rd of the top growth, which encourages vigorous growth towards the sides. They are indoor plants that require little maintenance and can prune into a miniature home-based bonsai version. Find Espoma Organic Cactus Mix from the Espoma Store via Amazon now in 2.5-pound packages. Ensure you check for leaf damage, pests, diseases, and dying leaves before taking action. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Prepare the new pot: Add a layer of well-draining potting mix at the new pot's bottom. Are you growing ponytail palm? When grown as an indoor plant, situate it in the brightest location you can finda window that gets direct sun or plenty of indirect light. In the spring, fertilize succulents with fertilizer and apply them in a lighter room during the summer months. The yellow foliage or soft trunk probably means they are too full of water. The plant is a succulents. Just remove those leaves that are drying or spoiling, with brown tips. Ponytail palms are drought tolerant and relatively low maintenance, but they will benefit from occasional pruning to remove dead or dying leaves and promote new growth. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'homeaffluence_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeaffluence_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Relocating Ponytail Trees You should burrow a dump around the tree around 50 cm from the bulb to the bulbs base. Plants that spend the summer outdoors enjoy the rejuvenation of fresh air and sunshine, as well as deep, soaking rain reminiscent of their native habitat, which serves to keep the roots supple and able to take up nutrients. Ponytail plants, which can be cultivated either inside or outdoors, provide a beautiful accent to any home design (during the warmer months). Ponytailed palms may reach heights of up to 20 feet outside, but they can also be trained to grow as a little indoor sculpture. Start with inspecting for yellowed, brown, and decayed leaves. However, they can go many years before requiring repotting to a larger pot. Keep in mind that this plant is like a cactus, and its better to err on the side of neglect than to overwater. You can also trim back the leaves to shape the plant. If you are lucky enough to have a friend with a plant, watch for the growth of one or more small offshoots from the main plant. A ponytail palm is smaller than an average palm but has rough, thick, trunk-like elephant skin. Pruning a ponytail palm is relatively easy and does not require much experience. They get their name from their long, cascading leaves that resemble a ponytail. Read our blog about when and how to water Ponytail Palm. The ponytail palm prefers bright light. If the ponytail palm produces pups or offsets, creating secondary shoots, you can prune these off, concentrating on the central trunk. If the offsets ("pups") send up secondary shoots, you can prune these away to maintain a central trunk and classic tree-like appearance. When it comes to pruning and trimming a ponytail palm, there are both pros and cons that you should consider. This will give the plant time to recover and produce new development for the upcoming growing season. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. B. recurvata is a dioecious plant, meaning that there are both males and females. To increase drainage, use a cactus or succulent potting mix, or mix sand and tiny stones with standard potting soil. Before you begin, inspect the plant for any bugs or diseases. Instead, there is only a bunch at the top of the stem that leaves the leaves growing. Do not place the plant in the blazing midday sun. Also, this plant grows wider and taller in accordance with the size of the pot its in, so, the smaller the pot, the smaller the plant. Almost every houseplant needs occasional or seasonal pruning to stay healthy, good-looking, and thriving. Ponytail palm is dioecious, which means that only the female plants will set seed, and the flowers require pollination from a male plant. Next, inspect for pest infestation and eggs by checking the undersides of the leaves. Pruning Although ponytail palms are very slow growers and do not need to be pruned regularly, they will eventually grow tall. . Some folks feed their plants every two weeks or so throughout the growing season, but this is counterproductive if youre trying to keep your plant small. The ponytail palm is and very well may always be a very popular houseplant and bonsai specimen. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. Remove any unwanted or excess growth as required. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Simply cut these leaves back to the desired length. First, identify any dead or damaged leaves that need to be removed. They tolerate the normal range of household temperatures well. It is better to suppressgrowthgradually than immediately. Repot in the spring only when the roots are extremely bound. Ponytail palm bonsai care does not differ much from that of any ponytail palm tree. If your goal is to grow a large palm tree, repot it every year, but if you want to keep it smaller, repot every two or three years. Use sharp trimming shears and trim leaves off the top of the plant. Ponytail palms are truly interesting houseplants with their spiky poof of slender leaves capping a decidedly elephant skin trunk. They are slow-growing and can live for many years with proper care.Ponytail palms can be pruned or trimmed at any time of year, but it is best to do so in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. 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