Growing Ponytail Palm Houseplants: Watering, Lighting, Repotting, and Pests
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I have had my pony tail plant for 44 years (yes 44!). It has gone from pot to pot but we eventually planted in our backyard (zone 12) about 4 years ago. It loved it, grew about 10 feet more, and survived Irma. All the sudden I noticed it was leaning. I went out and the base is basically rotting away. I'd send a picture but don't see that option. Is there anyway to save it?
This happened to my Ponytail after Hurricane Charlie. It had been flooded by salt water for several days when our canal overflowed. I moved the entire plant to a dryer part of the yard and it responded nicely . I have now moved the plant again when I moved and the rotted base had healed. It's doing beautifully in full sun .
Hello! I have a ponytail that has two growing off of the base. The plant itself is at least 6ft min. The starts on the base are at least 2ft. How can I safely remove one to grow another? O read above the cut needs to heal but what does that mean?
I just lost all the leaves on my ponytail palm. It's been perfectly healthy for the last six months but then all of a sudden the leaves started to fall over. I didn't water it much so I watered it some more hoping to perk it up but that didn't work. I also used some liquid fertilizer but that didn't work either. The trunk is solid. I'm really not sure what do to. Do you have any advice? TIA
Could the plant have been hit by a cold draft? Perhaps it’s near a window? Sudden leaf-drop can be caused by cold damage. If that’s not the case, the best you can do is keep it in a warm, partly-sunny place and let the soil dry out as usual. Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again. Without its leaves, the plant can’t get rid of excess water as easily, so be careful not to overwater. Avoid fertilizing until leaves appear again. If the trunk and roots aren’t rotted, then the plant should recover.
Just following up on my post. I left it as is, moved it into better light, and watered it very little but the leaves still haven't grown back. I repotted it, where I noticed the roots were in good condition, gave it some water, and then fertilized a month later but there's still nothing. The base got soft for a few weeks but seems to be returning to normal now. Do you have any more suggestions please? Thanks again.
I had a friend with a large 4 trunk 15' high specimen that was moved to my backyard last year. It was blown over by Irma and we noticed the root zone was very soft and it progressively got worse till the next wind event broke off the trunks from the base. The upper plants are still green and the trunk is firm a foot or so up from where they broke off. Is it possible to stand up and plant these trunks together to save them?
Sorry to hear that your ponytail palm didn’t survive the storm. Unfortunately, the bare trunks are very unlikely to grow roots if replanted. However, if the base survived (and is not totally destroyed by rot), then it may produce new growth if replanted in a drier area.
I have a large 30 year old plant. Height about 8', it also has a few shoots growing lower on the stalk. Question: This past winter in Texas we had some severe cold nights. The tip of my plant fronds fell off. The lower ones had some damage but are surviving. Do I cut back this tall stalk and hope it gets new growth? I worry about cutting 6' off. the stalk is firm and solid. Thanks!
Hello-
I am so glad I found this page. I have always wanted a Pony Tail plant and bought one today at Sams Club...it came in a pot with rocks not dirt..and it is pretty much cemented in there....the instructions say to water once its dry an inch or so down....but it is in and cemented in the pot. Also,there is no hole to drain. I am kinda confused how to care for it? Any help would be so appreciated. TY Frankie