Pony Tail Palm care and details:Easy to grow unique plants
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Elephant’s Foot or Pony Tail Palm are easy to grow succulent plants which looks like a palm tree. The Pony Tail Palm care is easy and effortless. They are sun loving houseplants and thrive best when places in sunny spots.
Quick Details of Pony tail palm
| Other Common Names | Pony Tail Palm, Elephant’s Foot |
| Type | Outdoor sun loving house plant |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Flowering | Spring ( very rare in indoor plants) |
| Light | Bright direct sunlight |
| Water | Water when the soil is dry |
| Temperature | Warm climatic conditions. Can not tolerate cold. |
| Soil | Well draining in sandy soil. |
| Fertilizer | Liquid fertilizer ones in 14 days during growth period |
| Habitat | Mexico |
| Toxicity | No |
| Common Diseases | Root rot |
| Scientific name | Beaucarnea Recurvata |
Plant Name Buying Instructions
- Pony tail is slow growing plant so take plant of appropriate size.
- Buy a healthy plant with thick stem.
- Leaves of the plant should not have patches on it.
- If planted in earth plant can grow long but it will not grow much in height if planted in pot.
- It requires ample amount of sunlight so you should have a provision of sufficient sunlight.
Overview of Pony tail palm
The Pony tail palm are evergreen perennial plants belonging to the family Asparagaceae. They are not true palm trees. The plants have a single trunk and appears like a palm tree. They are native to Mexico. The plants can grow up to a height of 14-16 feet when grown outdoors. The caudex is expanded and stores water.
The tip of the stem produces leathery, strap shaped leaves that are recurred. The leaves are green, thin, flat and slightly ridged. The swollen trunk branches slightly. The trunk is smooth and swollen at the base and slender as it goes up. The Pony tail palm are slow growing plants and requires little care. They are tolerant to drought conditions and can also survive when the temperature drops down up to 10 degree Celsius.
Special Features
The base of the stem is bulbous and has an ability to store water, making it drought resistant. The Pony tail palm plants have a long life span and can survive for centuries. These plants can be grown outdoors or can be kept as a bonsai.
Usage and Advantage of Pony tail palm
- Grown as an ornamental plant.
General Care for Pony tail palm
Special Care
Do not over water the Pony tail palm plants. Provide enough sunlight to promote growth. They do not require much care or pruning. In case of any infections, the infected part can be removed.The plants can be repotted ones in a year during spring.
Soil
The Pony tail palm prefer a well draining sandy soil. A cactus or succulent mix can also be used or a mix with equal quantities of perlite, sand, and potting soil can also be used for growing the plants.
Water
The bulbous portion of the stem at the bottom helps in storing water. Water the plants ones in 7-14 days during the growing season. Do not over water the plants. They do not like excess water . Water the plants ones in a week during winters.
Sunlight
The Pony tail palm prefer bright direct sunlight. Place them in spots where the plants can receive light for at least 5-7 hours a day. They can also grow in indirect sunlight or shade but this can reduce the number of leaves produced. There can be a reduction in the number of leaves produced when placed in shade when compared to bright direct sunlight.
Temperature
The Pony tail palm prefer warm conditions. The plants can survive in extreme hot conditions. However, they can not tolerate cold climates and in case of plants placed outdoors, they should be shifted indoors ones the temperature falls during winter. They prefer low humidity. They are one of the best plants to be grown indoors and requires very little care.
Fertilization:
The Pony tail palm do not require much feeding. A liquid fertilizer can be added ones in 14 days during the growing season. Do not feed them during winters.
Pests and other problems for Pony tail palm
The pony tail palm are not prone to many pathogens or pests. However, when the plants are not provided with the right conditions or are weak certain pests like mealy bugs and scales can attack them. A soap solution or neem oil can be sprayed. The infected part can be removed.
The pony tail palm plants face problems due to environmental conditions or due to over watering. Some of the common problems are:
Root rot: It can be caused due to over watering of the plants or due to excess moisture in the soil which is not easily drained out. Make sure to water only when the soil is dry.
Excess water can also result in the necks becoming soft and the leaves turning brown and falling off. This can also attract pests.
In some cases the tips of the leaves turn crispy and brown. This is caused mainly due to low humidity. Mist the leaves and cut off the brown tips.
The pony tail palm plants may cease to grow if not provided with enough sunlight.
Propagation of pony tail palms
Propagation is done mostly through offshoots or seeds.
Pony Tail Palm Propagation through seeds
The seeds can be collected during spring. The seeds can be first germinated indoors between layers of paper towels and later the seedlings can be transplanted. The seeds are kept in between layers of paper towel and left in a cold area. Sprinkle water to provide enough moisture.Leave them undisturbed for 3 weeks. Ones they germinate the seedlings can be planted in to a potting mix.
Pony Tail Palm Propagation through seeds
Propagation through offsets or offshoots are the most common and easy method. The mature plants produce offshoots. The offshoots can be cut from the parent plant and grown in to a new plant. The offshoot should be taken care and provided with enough water and sunlight till they develop in to a mature plant. The shoot can also be dipped in to a rooting hormone to promote faster root development.
