Beaucarnea recurvata

Common Names

Ponytail Palm, Bottle Palm, Elephant's Foot, Elephant's Foot Tree

Summary

Ponytail palm is a drought-tolerant evergreen not a true palm, native to dry regions of Mexico and Central America, forming a single trunk with a swollen base that stores water and topped by long, arching leaves that cascade into a ponytail-like crown; slow-growing and long-lived, it presents a sculptural, architectural silhouette.

In cultivation it thrives in bright light to full sun and well-draining cactus/succulent mix, with water sparingly and soil allowed to dry between waterings; temperatures around 18–27°C and low humidity suit it; repot only when roots become constrained (roughly every 2–3 years) and fertilize sparingly during the growing season; propagation is via offsets or seeds, and uses include a low-maintenance houseplant or drought-tolerant landscape specimen in USDA zones 10–11; it is non-toxic.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-30 feet

Spread

3-5 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining sandy or gritty cactus/succulent soil, pH 6.0–7.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, fast-draining soil, cactus/succulent mix or sandy soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White to Cream

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green, no fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; about 6 inches per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Offsets (pups) via division/separation, Stem cuttings, Tissue culture

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees