Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as Ponytail Palm, has gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the UK's Royal Horticultural Society. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. This ornamental plant has become popular worldwide and is often grown as both a houseplant and an outdoor plant in temperate climate gardens.
Scientific Name
Beaucarnea recurvata Lem.
Common Name(s)
Bottle Palm, Bottle Ponytail, Elephant's Foot, Elephant's Foot Tree, Ponytail Palm
Synonym(s)
Dasylirion recurvatum, Nolina recurvata, Pincenectia recurvata
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Beaucarnea
Etymology
The specific epithet "recurvata (rek-er-VAY-tuh)" means "bent backward" and refers to the long, backward-arching leaves of this species.
Origin
Beaucarnea recurvata is native to southeastern Mexico. It grows on rocky soils deficient in nutrients, cliffs, and steep mountains in low deciduous forests at elevations ranging from 330 to 9,190 feet (100 to 2,800 m).
Description
Beaucarnea recurvata is a caudiciform tree with a distinctive trunk and green drooping leaves arranged in dense clusters at the end of the branches. It can grow up to 30 feet (9 m) tall. The trunk base is swollen and is usually without branches when young. It can reach up to 12 feet (3.6 m) in diameter and may develop fissures or crackles on its gray surface. Several smaller trunks and sparse branching may develop near the top as the plant matures. The leaves are strap-like with parallel venation and serrated margins and can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Once mature, Beaucarnea recurvata produces small cream-colored or pinkish flowers in pyramidal clusters at the branch tips. The flowers appear during late spring or summer. The fruits are reddish, 3-winged capsules but rarely seen in cultivation. This plant is dioecious, which means it has separate male and female specimens, and only a female specimen will produce seeds.
How to Grow and Care for Beaucarnea recurvata
Light: Beaucarnea recurvata grows best in full sun to partial shade. If you are growing it indoors, place it near a sunny window. During the growing season from spring to fall, it enjoys being outdoors.
Soil: To ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot, use a well-draining soil mix, such as cactus or succulent potting mix.
Temperature: Beaucarnea recurvata is freeze-intolerant and has trouble with high summer heat when temperatures exceed 110 °F (43 °C). It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).
Watering: During the growing season, water the plant thoroughly when the soil becomes dry. In winter, water it sparingly, about once a month. A plant in a container will require more frequent watering than a plant in the ground.
Fertilizing: Feed Beaucarnea recurvata with a diluted, balanced fertilizer once every month during the growing season.
Repotting: Houseplants are best grown in relatively small pots. When a plant becomes pot-bound, repot it in spring with fresh soil in a new pot slightly larger than the old one. After repotting, give the plant a week or so to readjust before watering it again.
Propagation: Beaucarnea recurvata can be propagated from seed or by separating offsets that form at the base. The best time to separate offsets and sow the seeds is in the spring. Before sowing the seeds, soak them overnight to help initiate germination.
Toxicity of Beaucarnea recurvata
Beaucarnea recurvata is a non-toxic plant and is safe to keep around small children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Beaucarnea
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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