Beaucarnea Recurvata seed

LATIN NAME: Beaucarnea recurvata

COMMON NAME: Ponytail Palm

Despite the name, the ponytail palm is no palm at all. The ponytail palm grows slowly into a striking, tree-like plant, with the swollen, bulbous base of the trunk that tapers upward into a few smooth, woody stems, and at the top of each a fountain of the long, narrow, ribbon-like, dark-green leaves that arch and curl down like a ponytail. The base of the trunk is a water store, which is what lets the plant sit through the long dry spells. It is a plant of the warm, dry ground of the south-east of Mexico, and it is known as the ponytail palm.

The ponytail palm belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, and it is a slow-growing, tree-like plant of the warm, dry ground of the south-east of Mexico. Its swollen, bulbous trunk and its long, ribbon-like, curling leaves are its great show. It is known as the ponytail palm, and it is treasured for its odd, sculptural shape.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The ponytail palm has been studied in the horticulture for its odd, sculptural shape and its tough, dry-loving ways, and the plant keeps showing up in the accounts of the indoor plants of the warm room. Botanists have looked at the swollen, bulbous trunk, which is a water store, and at the plant’s place among the relatives of the asparagus family, far from the true palms. How it sits through the long dry spells and grows on so slowly has been carefully studied, and its long, ribbon-like leaves have been of interest in the garden. For a plant of the warm room with such an odd and easy nature, the ponytail palm has a steady and growing record of study.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

For the warm room and the bright corner, the ponytail palm is an easy, striking plant. Its swollen, bulbous trunk and its long, ribbon-like, curling leaves give a fine, sculptural presence that asks for very little, and it will sit happily in a bright spot through the dry spells with only the occasional drink. In its homeland the plant grows in the warm, dry scrub, and away from home it has become one of the most popular of the easy indoor plants. In the warm room the ponytail palm is a fine choice for anyone who wants a plant with a bold, odd shape and no fuss.

The ponytail palm comes from the warm, dry scrub of the south-east of Mexico, where it grows on the rocky, sun-baked ground and sits through the long dry seasons on the water it holds in its swollen trunk. In the room it is an easy, forgiving plant that asks for a bright spot and very little water, and it grows on slowly into a fine, sculptural presence over the years. The long, narrow, ribbon-like leaves arch and curl down from the top of the trunk like a ponytail, and the plant can be a companion of the room for a very long time. It is one of the easiest and the most forgiving of the indoor plants.

These seeds are best sown fresh — press them at a shallow depth into pots of gritty, moist, free-draining soil, keep the pots warm and lightly shaded and never let them dry out, and the first sturdy shoots will push through before long.

Although known as the Pony Tail Palm, it is not related to the palms at all, being more closely related to such plants as the Agave.  It is an evergreen perennial plant growing up to 5 metres tall, with a thickened stem, especially at the base, which makes it look like a bottle.  From the top of each stem there is a tufted rosette of leaves.  When the plant reaches 9 or 10 years old, it will produce spikes of white flowers.

It is hardy down to -5 Deg C, but is mostly grown as a houseplant.  It is slow growing but very tolerant of neglect, making it ideal for many locations.

Beaucarnea recurvata, also named Nolina recurvata, the Ponytail Palm and Elephant Foot, is native to Mexico in semi-desertic areas.
Beacarneas are closely related to Yuccas and thrive under the same conditions. This plant is suitable for growing indoors.
The plant usually has only one stem until it reaches 8 feet tall. Plants in nature will reach about 15-20 feet in height with a base about 12 feet across.
The Ponytail Palm is a very unique looking tree.
It features a large, wrinkled, swollen base, very thin, long, 1 inch wide by 6 foot long, dark green grass-like leaves emerging at the top of the trunk.
The swollen trunk stores water, which means that it doesn’t need to be watered often.
The small creamy white flowers are produced only on older trees, in mid-Summer.
Although they are small, they come in large quantities and form a showy display. Hardiness zones 9-11, (-5°C/25°F, 5°C/40°F) in Winter.
Older plants survive lower temperatures.
Beaucarnea recurvata need full sun to light shade. Use a mix with good drainage, for instance a good cactus mix.
They are very drought tolerant. Water every 3 weeks during the growing season and fertilize it only once during this period.
When the plant is in pot, water very sparingly in Winter to prevent rot.
During the Winter months, water only enough to keep the foliage from wilting.
Over-watering is the single most frequent cause of failure when growing Beaucarneas.