Beaucarnea – Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata – ponytail palm

DESCRIPTION: Low maintenance robust ornamental plant with long slender green leaves which emerge in a fountain tuft from a single or branched trunk. The trunk often has a bulging base when mature, hence the alternative common name of elephant foot palm.
USE IN: Accent and specimen planting, landscaping and poolside, also suited to containers. Ideal for indoor planting, landscaping, office planting as it has a shallow root and will survive some neglect. Hardy to -5C for short periods but thrives in frost free conditions.
PLANTING: Plant in full sun, or the brightest light possible indoors, in well drained soil. Very happy in dry almost desert locations but will grow very happily in humid gardens if soil is sandy and free-draining. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Hardy plant, tolerates heat and dry conditions once established. Prefers dry conditions during winter – don’t overwater.
CARE: Pull off old foliage for a tidy trunk; soaking the dead leaves before composting them helps them break down. Fertilise yearly using a slow release fertiliser. Repot container plants annually, or replace the compost if this is not possible. Tolerates neglect but is an impressive feature plant when cared for, and grows faster when watered, unsurprisingly.
HEIGHT & WIDTH:  to 10m H x 3 m W outside, much smaller indoors in containers.
YOUR PLANTS: These plants are tube-stock plants, healthy young plants with new roots that will establish quickly in your garden. The pot size is 80mm high and 42 mm wide