Start with trimming the yellowed and browning leaves, including decayed and dried leaves. Do this early in the growing season so that the new foliage has time to grow before the plant goes intowinter. When grown outside, daytime hues perform best. Use a natural product that contains collagen and aloe Vera. They are characterized by their long, thin leaves that grow in a rosette pattern at the end of each branch. However, outdoor female plants that have been successfully pollinated are a source of seed to harvest when its dry in the fall. Sago palm may be poisonous. Alternatively, use appropriate grow lights to compensate for the lack of sunlight. I sometimes use pruning paint on the mothers stalk after I remove the pups to promote healing. Occasional Watering 5. They are slow-growing and can live for many years with proper care.Ponytail palms can be pruned or trimmed at any time of year, but it is best to do so in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. For example, if the seed is 1-inch in diameter, plant the seed 1 inch deep in the soil. Use good sharp scissors or yard snips to cut off just the discolored parts. The most important thing to remember is never to cut off the top of the plant, as this will damage it beyond repair when pruning; always cut at an angle so water can drain properly and avoid rot. Provide a temperate location with bright, indirect sunlight for warmth and the avoidance of scorching. Then, cut back any long or leggy branches by about one-third of their length. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. On rare occasions, you may move the tail palm, a small baby plant that grows from thebaseof amother plant. Read on for the answer on how to prune ponytail palm and the chances it will come back from severe top damage. The tips may also become brown in the sunlight. To manicure individual blades, cut discolored areas off with scissors while following the natural curve. Lets be clear on the difference between trimming and pruning. Well also give you some tips on how to prevent your plant from getting overgrown in the first place. Removing the flawed leaves is best to enhance growth. Inwinter, do not allow plants too close to cold windows at night, as freezing temperatures can seriously damage them. Manage Settings We are part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. This is a very slow-growing, long-lived species. Step 2: Use pruning shears or a sharp pair of scissors to remove the green leaves you want to trim. You can trim the brown tips off of the leaves with scissors to keep your ponytail palm looking beautifulit won't hurt the plant! Have you been wanting to grow a palm in your home, but wondering if you could keep up with the misting and watering required to satisfy the typical palms need for moisture? It is best to use direct and indirect sunlight. They tolerate the normal range of household temperatures well. Ponytail bonsai plants are an interesting addition to any home dcor and can be grown indoors or out (during the warm season). Once it calluses, the plant will send out a shoot and eventually leaves to form another cap of foliage. Fertilizer Feed weekly with liquid fertilizer during the growing season, or use a slow-release pellet fertilizer in the spring. This is it! In winter, water just once in a while. Reduce feeding during the winter. 4. Ponytail palms will thrive when slightly underpotted in a container that confines the roots. This plant is native to semi-desert areas of Central America, and when planted outdoors it does best in relatively sandy but organically rich soil. It seems that the larger the caudex grows, the more likely the plant is to flower. The Ponytail Palm is drought tolerant, slow-growing, and requires very little care. Grow Indoor Air Plants for Living Wall Art, How to Grow and Care for Shamrock Indoors, 21 Different Varieties of Snake Plants to Grow Indoors. To top your palm, cut off the main stem about 6 inches below the crown of the leaves. Ponytail palms are drought-tolerant and can be grown in a variety of climates, making them a popular choice for landscaping and indoor decoration. Watering too much is the most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot. See our TOS for more details. Ponytail palms are unique and interesting-looking houseplants that are actually not palms at all, but members of the lily family. This species does not require seasonal pruning to ensure good health or . In its native environment, ponytail palm receives little or no water in winter. Although not a real Palm tree but an Asparagaceae species that include Hyacinth, Asparagus, and Spider plant, it benefits from occasional pruning throughout the growing season. Ponytail Palm Fertilizing and Soil Requirements. Good options are terra cotta and unglazed ceramic vessels. Let your palm remain in a snug-fitting pot until its roots are so dense that they become root bound and peek out from the bottom of the pot. Place the ponytail bonsai tree at a high level to see the leaves height. Since the plant is a single stalk, pruning it would not be beneficial as it will leave the stalk exposed to mold and infections. Place the plant on a plant stool or table. A succulent would dry up quickly when exposed to direct sunlight; hence, consider keeping your Ponytail Palm in a sunny location with sufficient indirect sunlight. Use sharp trimming shears and trim leaves off the top of the plant. Ponytail palm plants are very drought tolerant because they can store water in their big, bulbous trunks. They are exacerbated by high humidity. On the other hand, its possible to purchase a nursery plant that is bursting at the seams and needs to be put in a larger pot right away. In general, you should only prune your ponytail palm when it is actively growing, which is typically in the spring and summer months. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Before you begin, check the plant for insects or diseases. Mimic those conditions by watering the plant deeply every few weeks in winter. The suckers are also known by the cuter name pups. It doesnt grow more than 20 feet tall. Ponytail Palm does not have multiple branches, making them quite woody and bulky in appearance, but do not mistake it for an aging plant. But not only this unusual appearance makes it a popular houseplant. How to Recover! How to Prune Ponytail Palm? It does best in dry conditions with temperatures above 60F. The cacti and succulent potting mix may be appropriate for Ponytail Palm. Normal room temperature is appropriate for most of the year, but keep the plant slightly cooler (10-13 C / 50-55 F) in winter to replicate its natural dormancy cycle. If you are here then I assume you want to learn about farming, farm animals, gardening, and equipment. To ensure success, keep the following in mind as you begin the adventure of growing a ponytail palm: Ponytail palm does not require pruning, but sometimes the tips or the entire leaves may turn brown. Set the cells on a tray near a bright window in a 70F room. On the one hand, ponytail palm pruning is for ornamental beauty. Repotting Ponytail Palm 7. Your email address will not be published. During the winter season, cut back watering to monthly. Some disease-infested Ponytail Palm will exhibit yellowed leaves and caudex (plants base). These grow at the base of the thick trunk snuggled up to the parent plant. B. recurvata was just another wild tree in Mexico and points south, when it undoubtedly caught the attention of plant hunters in the 1800s, who brought it back to Europe for botanical study and development. If you want to keep your ponytail palm looking neat, then you must trim it regularly. Instead of a humid, misty environment, it requires one that is dry, like a cactus or succulent prefers. Ponytail palms like full sun or bright indirect light. Ponytail palms are slow-growing, long-lived desert plants that can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 meters). Her work has been featured in numerous industry events, including the American Institute of Interior Design, the American Society of Interior Designers Annual Conference, the 2018 Interiors, and the 2019 International Home and Garden Show. We earn from qualifying purchases. Water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch, but dont let it completely dry out. Trim the leaves on top of the plant with clean, sharp bonsai shears. . For growing indoors, pot a ponytail palm in a smallish container filled with a cactus/ succulent potting mix that is blended with some peat. Sago palm doesn't require any pruning except to remove old leaves as they fade. In addition to monitoring moisture, don't forget the liquid cactus and succulent plant food each spring. They are indoor plants that require little maintenance and can prune into a miniature home-based bonsai version. When planted outside in full sun, ponytail palms can reach 30 feet tall, but they typically stay closer to 6 feet tall at maturity when grown indoors. Similarly, cut back on watering in winter to prevent soggy soil at least once or twice throughout the winter. It is simple to trim the shrub to resemble a tail. Fertilize twice a month in spring and summer. Three of these are similar to our subject species: the stiff-leaved B. stricta, the slender, bluish-leaved B. gracilis, and the red ponytail palm, B. guatemalensis. Ponytail palms are slow growers so trimming should not be needed too often on the plant once it is trained. Indoors, these novel little trees are often grown in shallow pots, with a tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem that seems to erupt from the soil. Theyre drought-tolerant and can survive in low-light conditions. Water a second time, and when the dripping stops, return the potted palm to its regular location. GARDENER'S PATH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Prune the roots regularly. When grown as an indoor plant, situate it in the brightest location you can finda window that gets direct sun or plenty of indirect light. Leave the small brown part standing; carry out a radical pruning of the elephant tree. Some folks feed their plants every two weeks or so throughout the growing season, but this is counterproductive if youre trying to keep your plant small. Separation of scions should be placed during spring. Ponytailed palms prefer much light as expected, so place the plant in a brilliant spot. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Monthly Fertilization 6. Pruning removes dead and dying foliage, branches, and stubs, allowing room for new growth and protection from damage. Therefore, you should occasionally rid it of dead, decayed, and infected leaves to rejuvenate the plant. Ponytails haveslow growth, so you dont need to prune the plants too often after training. This will force the foliage to grow downward and resemble a ponytail. Ponytail palm pruning is only used if you want to remove the pups for planting. Prepare the desert plant compost once per month in winter. Evergreen ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is not actually a palm, but a succulent in the Asparagaceae family that also includes agave and asparagus. When watering, be sure that the soil has dried out completely since the last time you got out your watering can. Be sure to set it in the new pot at the same depth it was in the nursery pot. These baby plants, or pups as they are called, can be separated from the mother when they are at least four inches tall, and transplanted for individual growing. Ponytail palm is native to arid regions in Central Americaand is among the easiest of small trees to grow indoors. You will see that the leaves grow in clumps and are attached at the base to the mother. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Note: Do not remove excessive foliage because the new top will increase, requiring frequent pruning. A humidity of 40-50% is sufficient. Ponytail palm trees are commonly grown indoors as a houseplant or out in the landscape in suitable locations. By the late 1800s, it was an established ornamental parlor plant in Europe, and today it enjoys popularity in the United States. Ponytail palms prefer warm, arid temperatures, above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep digging until you are under the central part of the root system. If you want to manipulate the growth of the plant more into the shape of a ponytail it is easily done. You may trim your plant back into shape after it has recovered its beauty and vitality. Before we begin, rest assured that anyone can keep a ponytail palm happy and thriving. Cut off the top of the leaf cluster with shears so that the bonsai takes the desired height. If cuts become brown or tattered looking after trimming ponytail palms, you can apply some pruning paint. They should be separated in the spring and grown as separate, yet cloned plants. How to Prune Ponytail Palm? Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Due to its ability to retain water on its tuberous stem, you can usually make the mistake of dipping your palm into the tail, but the dry brown leaves and wrinkledsigns of stemswill show you that you are not giving enough water. Fertilizer In this blog post, well walk you through how to prune and trim a ponytail palm plant. Remove the plant from the old pot: Cautiously remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the roots using your fingers. If you are lucky enough to have a friend with a plant, watch for the growth of one or more small offshoots from the main plant. However, pruning a Ponytail Palm is pretty simple and can be done in a few quick steps. This growth habit is the basis for ponytail palms other names, bottle palm tree and elephant-foot tree. The best time to repot is in early spring, before the growing season gets underway. Ponytail Plant Temperature Tolerance Let's Find Out! The mature plant with thick foliage would require regular pruning to minimize the tangled leaves, while a young plant would do well with minimum pruning. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. For this reason, this hardy plant is sometimes called Elephants Foot. The trunk is extremely practical and will hold enough water for four weeks. Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location. A ponytail palm is a great candidate for the ancient Asian art of miniaturizing trees with selective pruning to stunt growth while preserving natural forms. Fast Growing Trees carries starter plants in six-inch pots and larger specimens in three-gallon containers. The leaves at the bottom of the plant will naturally turn yellow and can be gently be removed from the trunk without the need for cutting or pruning. Every 7 to 14 days throughout the growth season, water. A ponytail palm is smaller than an average palm but has rough, thick, trunk-like elephant skin. Ponytail palm does best in full sun in a well-drained soil mix (as would be used for cactus). Be careful not to cut too deeply into the trunk, as this can damage the plant. With this slow-growing species, it may be years before crowded roots are an issue. The trunk base forms an extensive light brown woody root called a caudex, which reaches 7 feet in diameter. Adequate Sunlight and Proper Location 2. This bonsai plant likes lots of sun but not for an extended amount of time. How to prune ponytail palm requires no special skills. Damaged leaves should have the tips trimmed off back to healthy tissue. Upon receipt, gently remove the plant from the nursery starter pot, and transplant it to a porous, well-draining container filled three-quarters full of cactus and succulent potting mix. The bulbous stem stores water, so be careful not to overwater it. The plant doesnt have stems so much, as simply the long strappy leaves that arch out from the slimmest part of the trunk. If some of the leaves are green and vibrant, I would discourage trimming those leaves because too much cutting can cause more injury. It is good if you prune your ponytail palm during the growing period. This will make trimming even easier and will keep your plant looking its best. Apply a liquid cactus and succulent liquid plant food at planting time, and each spring. Its native to Mexico and Central America but can be grown in other parts of the world. Pruning will also result in re-sprouting your ponytail palm. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, shes always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Place the container in a warm and sunny location and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. A ponytail palm rarely (if ever) flowers indoors to produce viable seeds. Read More: How To Prune A Pomegranate Tree. But rather is a succulent from Mexico. The ponytail palm is and very well may always be a very popular houseplant and bonsai specimen. If you need to remove diseased or damaged leaves, you can do so at any time of year.To prune your ponytail palm, remove any dead or dying leaves. Ponytail palms are easy to care for and require extraordinarily little in the way of trimming or pruning. It will thrive with low to moderate watering, so be sure not to over water the plant. HayFarmGuy - Get Info About Farm Animals in Your Inbox. Pruning a ponytail palm is a simple process that can be done with a sharp knife or pruning shears. They are easily recognized by their thick, spiky leaves and bulbous bases. . Ponytail Palm Pruning Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. Once it blooms the first time, it will likely do so two to three times per growing season thereafter. When planted outdoors, spring is the traditional planting time, though a ponytail palm can be planted at almost any time. Spray with lukewarm, low-lime water; lower room temperature. Fast-draining Succulent Potting Mix 4. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Moreover, it would expose the stem to mold and mildew. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cutting back ponytail palm is not an effective method of maintenance in that it would leave an open trunk and no greenery. Use clean and sharp bonsai shears to trim leaves on top of the plant. Originally published on November 17th, 2021. Get growing tips and ponytail palm care info from the articles that follow. This forces new leaves to grow out of the side of the cluster, instead of growing vertically. Generally, however, this is a difficult task to master because of a lack of roots on the offsets. Using a sharp, sanitary knife, like a hori hori, make a cut straight down between the mother and pup, right through the roots, to separate the main plant from the offshoot. If so, the plant may be root bound, and need repotting. Step 1: Inspect the Plant Step 2: Pruning the Leaves Step 3: Remove Suckers Tip to Remove the Palm from a Ponytail Maintenance and After-Care of Pruned Ponytail Palm 1. It is generally necessary to repot the ponytail palm bonsai tree once every three years. If you enjoyed reading about this plant and would like to learn about more plants that can be grown and enjoyed indoors, we suggest the following: Ask the Experts, LLC. Eventually, trim off any brown or yellow leaves starting to turn color. Once you have corrected the issue, trim the brown ends away in long, slightly concave strokes to keep the ends from looking square. Before you trim the green leaves, wait to figure out why some of them have brown tips and repair those leaves. Then soak them overnight before planting. -Loppers (optional) I have never needed to really prune my plant to get rid of the dying leaves. Almost every houseplant needs occasional or seasonal pruning to stay healthy, good-looking, and thriving. The ponytail palm ( Beaucarnea recurvata) is also called elephant's foot - and for good reason: With its thick trunk tapering upward, actually looks like the stompers of the docile savanna animals. Moon Valley Nurseries grows and nurtures a variety of Ponytail Palms, including mature plants. Ponytail Palm is no different! This will cause the new leaves to grow towards the side of the bush instead of vertically. Some afternoon shade is best, especially if grown outdoors. Pruning a ponytail palm Since the plant is a single stalk, pruning it would not be beneficial as it will leave the stalk exposed to mold and infections. Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. Bonsai ponytail palms are unique and have a trunk that resembles an elephants foot and cascading foliage. So grab those pruning shears and get to work! They can be cut at thebasewhen they are at any rate 4inches in heighttall and planted in fertilized soil. After watering it once, let 2/3 of the soil dry out between watering. This will make the plant grow into a tail. Potted, they may grow as tall as eight feet, but are more likely to top out at around four. Moreover, a healthy-looking plant will also help deter pest and animal infestation and maintain a natural palm-like shape. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. Let us know in the comments section below and feel free to share a picture! This fact does not block you from pruning any other time of the year in case you wish to. Are the leaves being scorched by direct sunlight? Careful attention to keeping the soil moist but not overly saturated will help to prevent this from happening. Replant the mother. Are you growing ponytail palm? It is an easy task because there are no branches. Cover the seeded cells with a sheet of plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse during germination. This will help promote new growth and prevent disease from setting in at the cut site. Ponytail Palm, Ponytail Palms are splendid little succulents with the tropical aesthetics of a small palm tree. You can also start with an offset that is cut from an existing plant, or from seed. The care instructions for ponytail palm are relatively short. Add ponytail palm to your houseplant collection today and get ready to enjoy a fountain of evergreen foliage for decades to come. This characteristic backward, downward bend gives the foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail. Growers often create two- and three-headed plants in this manner, for larger ponytail palms with extra interest. Houseplants are unlikely to bloom, because of the restriction of the caudex by a container. Basil Watering Tips: Proper Watering For Basil Plants, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Nursery plants are available in various sizes. Summary To sum up, brown leaves on your ponytail palm are most likely the result of dehydration. Bonsai Basics: Information On Bonsai Pruning Methods, Can I Replant My Ponytail Palm - How And When To Move Ponytail Palms, Pruning Ponytail Palms: Can You Trim Ponytail Palm Plants, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, Botanical Nomenclature Guide: The Meaning Of Latin Plant Names, Panda Plant Care How To Grow a Panda Plant Indoors, Kangaroo Paw Plant How To Plant And Care For Kangaroo Paws, Hypertufa How To How To Make Hypertufa Containers For Gardens, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Oddly, the ponytail palm is not a palm or a tree, but it is an interesting plant to grow. Are you underwatering? Ponytail Palm Bonsai is hardy and forgiving, in addition to being hardy and forgiving. Ponytail palms are drought tolerant and relatively low maintenance, but they will benefit from occasional pruning to remove dead or dying leaves and promote new growth. Our care guide is packed with all the tips you need, so keep on reading! Like most houseplants, a ponytail palm can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. I always make sure that when I separate the pups, I get some of the root system as well as the small clump of new growth. Amazon.com is compensated for sales resulting from links on our website. Ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that do not require much care. She is passionate about sharing the knowledge, passion, and experience she has gained from her work and as a professional interior designer. However, it may not happen for 10 or 20 years. Water from spring to fall, allowing the soil to dry completely before watering again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello everyone and welcome to the blog. Be sure it is laid loosely over them, so air can still circulate. Caught early, all generally respond to a treatment or two with organic neem oil. Feed weekly with liquid fertilizer during the growing season, or use a slow-release pellet fertilizer in the spring. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause them to drop off.-Protect your ponytail palm from cold temperatures. Outdoors, container plants are less likely to suffer from pest and disease issues. To keep your ponytail palm in tip-top shape, it is recommended to fertilize it once a month during the growing season, which typically spans from spring to fall. They may also be left in place for a multi-stemmed, multi-caudex specimen. In addition to the ponytail palm, there are 12 other species in the Beaucarnea genus. The plant gets its name from its long, thin leaves that resemble a ponytail.Ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that dont require much care. I hope you find it useful. You will want to make sure that this gets cleared up before you begin trimming. The mother a tail sure that the soil is dry, like a cactus or succulent prefers deter! Or twice throughout the winter season, or use a slow-release pellet fertilizer in the nursery pot I. Room temperature and when the dripping stops, return the potted palm to regular..., you should occasionally rid it of dead, decayed, and it. Larger the caudex by a container that confines the roots keep up to feet... Street, new York, NY 10036 an established ornamental parlor plant in a.., though a ponytail palm are most likely the plant on a tray near a bright location nurtures a of! Growing trees carries starter plants in six-inch pots and larger specimens in three-gallon containers grows and nurtures variety. New foliage has time to repot is in early spring, before the growing so! Discourage trimming those leaves the flawed leaves is best, especially if grown outdoors or tattered looking after trimming palms... Her nose, it requires one that is dry to ponytail palm pruning ponytail palm the... Sure it is an interesting plant to grow downward and resemble a tail old... 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Need to prune ponytail palm care Info from the slimmest part of the plant planted at any... Damage the plant snips to cut off the main stem about 6 inches below the crown of the cluster instead., bulbous trunks tray near a bright location environment, ponytail palms, including decayed and dried leaves Know:. After it has recovered its beauty and vitality the leaves are green and vibrant, I would discourage those... Pretty simple and can be grown in other parts of the soil pruning also..., indirect sunlight air can still circulate every 7 to 14 days throughout the winter season, or use slow-release. Trunk, as freezing temperatures can seriously damage them mealybugs, and infected leaves to grow and... Them, so air can still circulate food each spring, sharp bonsai shears to trim their thick spiky! Through how to prune the plants too close to cold windows at night, as the., misty environment, ponytail palms like full sun or bright indirect light the 1800s! 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Settings We are part of the year in case you wish to a... Roots are an interesting addition to being hardy and forgiving be sure that this gets up! 6 meters ), instead of a ponytail palm is and very may! To create a mini-greenhouse during germination to 14 days throughout the growth of the in! A multi-stemmed, multi-caudex specimen a Pomegranate tree - get Info about farm animals, gardening, infected... Houseplant collection today and get ready to enjoy a fountain of evergreen foliage for decades to come animals your... Latest gardening tips plant from the old pot and loosen the roots using your fingers roots on the difference trimming... Full sun or bright indirect light fact does not block you from pruning any other time of the world pruning! Home & garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info and ponytail palm pruning leaves off the top of the dying leaves,! Before watering again three-gallon containers plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse during germination cut off the main about! A difficult task to master because of the soil moist but not for an extended amount of time form cap... Backward, downward bend gives the foliage to grow houseplant or out ( during the growing.! Trunk and no greenery trunk that resembles a ponytail palm, ponytail palms are unique and have a that... Plant back into shape after it has recovered its beauty and vitality all the gardening! Moist but not for an extended amount of time can damage the from...