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The ponytail palm, also known as the elephant’s foot, is a whimsical-looking, low-maintenance plant that anyone can enjoy caring for. In this post, we’ll review an easy ponytail palm care guide, as well as how to propagate the ponytail palm.
The ponytail palm is native to parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Despite their palm-tree look and the name, the ponytail palm is not a palm at all but actually a succulent—part of the agave family! They store water in the base of their trunks.
Where Can I Buy a Ponytail Palm?
Check out these super cute ponytail palms on Etsy!
Ponytail Palm Care
Can a ponytail palm take full sun?
Ponytail palms love bright, indirect light and they can even take some full sun, as they are native to semi-desert environments.
If you suspect that your light isn’t enough for the ponytail palm, I highly recommend grow lights. These grow lights are my all-time favorite. I have two sets and have been using them for years!
How often do you water a ponytail palm?
Because these plants are succulents, they do not need to be watered often, making ponytail palm care super low maintenance! They store water in their trunks.
Allow them to fully dry out in between waterings. How often you actually water will depend on your climate. In hotter weather, they will need to be watered more often, about every few weeks, and in colder weather, they might only need to be watered once a month or less.
Overwatering can cause brown leaf tips. Also, this plant is somewhat susceptible to root rot simply because it’s easier to overwater succulents, so be mindful of how often you water!
Humidity
Since they are succulents and native to semi-desert environments, ponytail palms do not require extra humidity.
Potting Mix
Ponytail palms need a well-draining potting mix and do best in a cactus mix. You can always make your own mix with a 1-1-1 ratio of regular indoor plant potting mix, coarse sand, and perlite.
Check out these super cute ponytail palms on Etsy!
Repotting
Another awesome part of ponytail palm care is they don’t need to be repotted regularly. Every few to every several years should be fine. If you notice stunted growth, roots coming out of the drainage hole, or the base of the trunk getting too large for the pot, it’s time to repot. It’s best to do your repotting in the spring or summer, if possible.
Depending on how large your ponytail palm is, repotting it can be tricky. You might have to recruit a friend to help you! Choose a pot that’s a size larger than its current pot, but make sure there is at least an inch of space between the base of the trunk and the pot.
While you’re repotting, be sure that you don’t bury the base of the trunk any more than it already was (you should see a soil mark on the base that can help guide you).
Fertilizing
Ponytail palms do not need to be fertilized often. Once a month or so during the growing season (spring and summer) will be fine. You can use a general houseplant fertilizer (the one at the link is my favorite!).
Pruning
There is really no need for heavy pruning as part of routine maintenance of the ponytail palm. In fact, you shouldn’t trim the leaves back unless there is already damage and you really need to. Trimming back the leaves can cause browning, but if there are injured leaves, you can use clean scissors or plant shears to trim off any damaged parts.
Typically, there’s no reason why you would prune the trunk except to separate any baby plants.
Propagating a Ponytail Palm
Propagating a ponytail palm is done through division—separating the baby plants (pups) from the mother.
To separate a pup, dig down into the potting mix and find the base of the pup. Using clean, sharp plant shears or a knife, cut away the pup as cleanly as popssible.
Plant your pup so that the part that was cut is in the potting mix. Make sure your pot has drainage and give it a good watering. As your pup is in its rooting stage, keep the potting mix moist but not soaking wet. You can do this by misting the surface of the potting mix.
Place it in a location with bright, indirect light and water your pup every few weeks.
Note that if a pup already has roots forming when it’s still attached to the mother, it has a better chance of survival. Also, it’s best to wait to separate the pups until the spring or summer.
Additional Information
Is the ponytail palm toxic to cats and dogs?
The ponytail palm is nontoxic to cats and dogs. However, it’s best practice to keep all plants out of your furry friends’ reach anyway.
How long does it take for a ponytail palm to grow?
Ponytail palms are very slow growers and can grow for decades. Depending on the size of your plant it can take them over five years just to double their height.
Although it will take them a while, they can grow up to 30 feet outdoors in optimal conditions. Indoors, they will most likely grow to around six to eight feet. While ponytail palms are very cool plants, they’re not what you want if you’re looking for a fast grower!
Check out these super cute ponytail palms on Etsy!
Kris says
My cat immediately started chewing on all of the leaves of my ponytail palm so now the leaves are shorter than they are supposed to be. As soon as it warmed up this spring I put it outside on a covered porch with plenty of indirect bright Sun light for the summer and it did well but it doesn’t seem that the leaves will grow long again and now we are heading back into cooler weather. Will they ever come back?
I’m moving my indoor plants inside now but to a safer place away from the cat.
Lorraine Moore says
My ponytail has its baby plants growing from the actual trunk of the plant about halfway up the trunk how do I propergate these the mother plant is quite large about a metre and a half tall it does not have pups growing from ground level only from the mother plant itself
Mary L Overton says
I have these too, can anyone tell me what I need to do. Leave them alone or remove?
Loanne Lane says
My pony tail palm is about 4 ft tall. I planted a seed in 1986 and have kept it indoors. It is not pretty. Should I cut it’s trunk to make it bush out. If so how do I cut it? Thanks
Pat B says
I usually water my ponytail every 3 weeks however, it was 4 weeks and a lot of the leaves were brown. I had recently cut some babies off the trunk maybe 6 weeks before with a sharpe, sterile knife. It has a few leaves now and looks terrible. Should I give it a little fertilizer or what would help? It was so healthy before.
Mary says
Some of the leafs easily pull away or fall off ? What am I doing wrong?
Julie, Houseplant Expert says
Hi Mary – Two common reasons for this is underwatering or overwatering–I would start by assessing that. Good luck!