Beaucarnea stricta

Common Names

Ponytail Palm, Estrellas, Bottle Palm, Beargrass

Summary

Ponytail Palm is native to Mexico and an evergreen caudiciform tree with a massive swollen base (caudex) and a slender upright trunk crowned by long, straight, stiff leaves that are pale greyish-green to glaucous-blue, giving a sculptural, architectural presence; mature plants may branch after flowering and bear a creamy-white, egg-shaped inflorescence 60–80 cm tall.

It thrives in full sun to light shade in well-drained soil, with deep, infrequent watering; extremely drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and rarely affected by pests, with root rot possible if overwatered, and it can be used as a container plant, in rock gardens, or as a focal point in xeriscaped landscapes; propagation is by seeds or stem cuttings (not leaves cuttings).

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-30 ft

Spread

6-12 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9a-11b

Sunlight Requirements

Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Well-draining soil; gritty, lean, rocky or loamy, with organic matter-rich coco coir and perlite or vermiculite for drainage.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, avoid waterlogged conditions

Soil pH

Acidic soils

Bloom Color

Cream colored to creamy white, pale yellow to cream

Bloom Time

Late Summer to Early Fall

Foliage Color

Pale greyish-green to glaucous-blue, bluish gray, green, slightly glaucous

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Year-round (Evergreen)

Propagation Methods

Seeds and stem cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees