It may take five years or more for a 1-foot-tall plant to double in size. However, if you want to control the size or shape of your ponytail palm, you will need to prune it on a regular basis. Once the new foliage has grown to the sides of the plant, you can continue pruning to shape the plant. With this slow-growing species, it may be years before crowded roots are an issue. When I do this, I keep the plant at eye level and check my work regularly to prevent it from snipping away too much of the plant. However, pruning a Ponytail Palm is pretty simple and can be done in a few quick steps. Ponytail palm can be grown as an outdoor plant only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it prefers a sandy soil in a full-sun location. 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. Be sure to make clean, sharp cuts to avoid damaging the plant. Similarly, cut back on watering in winter to prevent soggy soil at least once or twice throughout the winter. Lets be clear on the difference between trimming and pruning. In the spring, fertilize succulents with fertilizer and apply them in a lighter room during the summer months. Keep a few things in mind when maintaining your tree. The palms should be moist, but under no circumstances should they be allowed to dry or stand in water. This will force the foliage to grow downward and resemble a ponytail. It should not need more than this to look great all year round. Provide a temperate location with bright, indirect sunlight for warmth and the avoidance of scorching. Pruning a ponytail palm is a simple process that can be done with a sharp knife or pruning shears. Before you begin, check the plant for insects or diseases. You can find ponytail palms in one-, three-, and seven-gallon pots available from Fast Growing Trees. Because they are slow-growing, they do not require much pruning. The ideal temperature for growing B. recurvata is about 70F during the growing season, and about 50F during winter dormancy. Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. See our TOS for more details. Fertilizer But not only this unusual appearance makes it a popular houseplant. A recently pruned Ponytail Palm may easily suffer when exposed to cold drafts. They are characterized by their long, thin leaves that grow in a rosette pattern at the end of each branch. For this reason, this hardy plant is sometimes called Elephants Foot. The trunk is extremely practical and will hold enough water for four weeks. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. 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. Before you begin, inspect the plant for any bugs or diseases. Replant the mother. You can skip to the third step if the plant is fine. Ponytail palms are unique and interesting-looking houseplants that are actually not palms at all, but members of the lily family. This will give the plant time to recover and produce new development for the upcoming growing season. . In winter, water just once in a while. Ponytail palms are drought-tolerant and can be grown in a variety of climates, making them a popular choice for landscaping and indoor decoration. In its native environment, ponytail palm receives little or no water in winter. A humidity of 40-50% is sufficient. Also called offsets, they should be divided from the main plant in spring and planted as separate, although cloned, plants. You can also use a heat mat to maintain an even temperature. Betty is also a frequent pundit on Interior Design in the media, including FOX, NBC, and CBS. The ponytails trunk is rough and thick with an expansive base that gives it other common names: bottle palm and elephant foot. Long-lived, this ornamental species matures in about 10 years. Next, inspect for pest infestation and eggs by checking the undersides of the leaves. The only pruning you will need to do is an occasional removal of dead leaves to keep the plant looking nice and clean. Its better to trim too little than too much. It will be a good idea to fertilize the plant after pruning, especially when done in the growing season, to boost new growth. Be sure to make clean, sharp cuts to avoid damaging the plant. Ponytailed palms may reach heights of up to 20 feet outside, but they can also be trained to grow as a little indoor sculpture. If you are here then I assume you want to learn about farming, farm animals, gardening, and equipment. 21 of the Best Pickling Cucumbers to Grow in Your Garden, 21 of the Best Pickling Cucumbers to Grow in Your Garden, .slick-slider#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83657.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83657.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Step #1: Inspect the Plant Step #2: Pruning the Leaves Step #3: Remove Suckers Maintenance and After-Care of Pruned Ponytail Palm 1. Ponytail palm plants are very drought tolerant because they can store water in their big, bulbous trunks. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Pruning, on the other hand, usually refers to the removal of base and woody materials for the purpose of rejuvenating or restoring the plant. 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. Prepare the desert plant compost once per month in winter. Sign up for our newsletter. Repotting Ponytail Palm 7. Ponytail palms are inexpensive, fun little houseplants with slow growth and minimal care needs. 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. If some of the leaves are green and vibrant, I would discourage trimming those leaves because too much cutting can cause more injury. If a succulent commercial mix is not your choice, make it at home using one part of regular potting soil, one part perlite or pumice, and coarse sand. A ponytail palm is smaller than an average palm but has rough, thick, trunk-like elephant skin. It is found, The ponytail palm, formally known as the Beaucarnea recurvata, has recently grown in popularity as, Posted on Last updated: November 14, 2022, Peperomia Fagerlindii An Indoor Gardeners Guide, Peperomia Japonica Care All You Need to Know. They get their name from their long, cascading leaves that resemble a ponytail. If you notice when you trim that the plant is growing towards one side or the other, remember to rotate the pot every couple of months to keep the growth on both sides nice and even. They should be separated in the spring and grown as separate, yet cloned plants. 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. The action would expose the stem to mold and mildew and it would likely rot before it could ever start producing any more leaves or offsets. When it comes to pruning and trimming a ponytail palm, there are both pros and cons that you should consider. Use sharp, clean shears to cut off any dead or dying leaves. When grown outside, daytime hues perform best. Prune only 20% of its afflicted foliage at once. Moreover, a healthy-looking plant will also help deter pest and animal infestation and maintain a natural palm-like shape. This bonsai plant likes lots of sun but not for an extended amount of time. Trim the leaves on the plant's top section using sharp shears. Ponytail palms will thrive when slightly underpotted in a container that confines the roots. Trimming refers to cutting back the leaves of the plant and is usually done with shears. Next, trim the top of the leaf cluster by removing 2/3rd of the top growth, which encourages vigorous growth towards the sides. Check out this blog post to learn how to prune a ponytail palm and get it looking its best. Over-pruning can be harmful to your ponytail palm. He also loves to play tennis and read books. Ponytail palm pruning time generally has two periods, one is winter pruning, the other is summer pruning. The ponytail palm leaves are sensitive to injury and tend to get dark at the ends. The ponytail palm is and very well may always be a very popular houseplant and bonsai specimen. If you want to slow the growth of your ponytail palm and keep it small put it somewhere where it will receive medium amounts of indirect sunlight. Underwatered foliage may turn yellow and then brown, as it dries out. This will make the plant grow into a tail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello everyone and welcome to the blog. Damaged leaves should have the tips trimmed off back to healthy tissue. Well also give you some tips on how to prevent your plant from getting overgrown in the first place. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Fertilize twice a month in spring and summer. This characteristic backward, downward bend gives the foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail. How to Prune Ponytail Palm? Its the signature trait of what are called caudiciform plants. Pruning a ponytail palm is relatively easy and does not require much experience. Oddly, the ponytail palm is not a palm or a tree, but it is an interesting plant to grow. Allow the wound to heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) torootsit. Hence, bring your plant inside and cut back on everything except warm temperatures and lighting. I hope you find it useful. Be the first to rate this post. In humid regions, plants may be better off staying indoors for the summer, as they will be more prone to diseases caused by excessive moisture well mention shortly. Theyre drought-tolerant and can survive in low-light conditions. - Ponytail palm leaves turning brown will also hinder the plants growing capabilities. Since the plant is a single stalk, pruning it would not be beneficial as it will leave the stalk exposed to mold and infections. Sow one scarified, soaked seed per cell, at a depth of one-eighth of an inch. This will encourage healing of your ponytail bonsai palms. , Suddenly found your faux palm tree take an ugly turn? Find Espoma Organic Cactus Mix from the Espoma Store via Amazon now in 2.5-pound packages. If your plant does start to look brown or ragged in the cut spots, you can use some pruning paint on the cuts to aid in the recovery. 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. When to Prune a Ponytail Palm. 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. I sometimes use pruning paint on the mothers stalk after I remove the pups to promote healing. It is best to use direct and indirect sunlight. Ponytail palms are a succulent species of tree that is native to southeastern Mexico. Start with trimming the yellowed and browning leaves, including decayed and dried leaves. Anything hindering its growth can be fatal., The Majesty Palm or Ravenea rivularis a member of the Arecaceae family. 15 Best Blueberry Companion Plants Great Companion Plants, 9 Best Fertilizers for Shrubs A Buyers Guide, 10 Shrubs with Blue Colored Berries Best List 2023, How to Root a Jade Plant? Sago palm may be poisonous. Do . Pruning removes dead and dying foliage, branches, and stubs, allowing room for new growth and protection from damage. New branches will sprout from the cut area, giving your plant a fuller look.-Pruning: Pruning is necessary if you want to control the shape of your ponytail palm. Usually, brown tips are a sign of too much water or fertilizer. Here is more about what we do. Keep the plant in an arid region, without much humidity, to prevent the cut from rotting. Unfortunately this species is now classified as threatened in its natural habitat, and it is found growing wild almost exclusively in Veracruz, in eastern Mexico. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Have you always wanted to grow a palm, but dont live in a warm zone for outdoor planting, nor do you want a houseplant that needs the thrice-weekly watering typical of many palms? Product photos via Espoma and FastGrowingTrees. Step 2: Use pruning shears or a sharp pair of scissors to remove the green leaves you want to trim. Ponytailed palms prefer much light as expected, so place the plant in a brilliant spot. How to Prune Ponytail Palm Bonsai Plants Trimming ponytail palms can be done any time of the year but is best during the growing season of spring through early fall. Every 7 to 14 days throughout the growth season, water. They are low-maintenance indoor flowers that are simple to care for. For smaller branches, hand pruners will suffice. This will help promote new growth and prevent disease from setting in at the cut site. 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. Apply a liquid cactus and succulent liquid plant food at planting time, and each spring. Once the pony palm issue has been resolved, the brown ends should be shaped into long, somewhat concave sweeps rather than square ones. Never leave it in water (this applies to almost all indoor plants). This articles primary objective is to educate us on how to trim a ponytail palm and other necessary details discussed in it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'homeaffluence_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeaffluence_com-medrectangle-3-0'); It is not a regal palm if it has a ponytail. Potted ponytail palms are readily available for home cultivation. Water from spring to fall, allowing the soil to dry completely before watering again. Ponytail palms are a type of succulent that stores water in its leaves, making it a drought-tolerant plant. Ponytail palms can live for decades with proper care.Prune your ponytail palm when the plant starts to look overgrown or leggy. Read More: How To Prune A Pomegranate Tree. You can use perlite, potting soil, and sand in equal parts to make the potting mix. plants that can be grown and enjoyed indoors, Growing Peperomias: How to Care for Radiator Plants, Browse all of our houseplant growing guides, 1/8 inch (seed), same depth as nursery pot (transplants), Bacterial leaf streak, Botrytis blight, and stem rot. With a little know how, you'll be prepared to handle any problems that . Moreover, you can remove suckers from the plant base that could be propagated during the same growing season. I created this site to share my views on various aspects of trees to help beginners and semi-experts with pruning, planting, and cultivation of trees, shrubs, and woody plants and also their health assessments. Potential but rare disease problems include leaf spots, stem rots, and bacterial leaf streak. A ponytail palm rarely (if ever) flowers indoors to produce viable seeds. This growth habit is the basis for ponytail palms other names, bottle palm tree and elephant-foot tree. . After you have removed all of the dead or damaged leaves, you can trim back any of the longer leaves that are crowding the plant. The ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, has tropical-style foliage, but doesnt require a wet environment to thrive. Careful attention to keeping the soil moist but not overly saturated will help to prevent this from happening. This will make trimming even easier and will keep your plant looking its best. She is passionate about sharing the knowledge, passion, and experience she has gained from her work and as a professional interior designer. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Occasional Watering 5. Remove the plant from the old pot: Cautiously remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the roots using your fingers. Otherwise, use a sharp pruning shear to cut the sucker close to the plant. Some afternoon shade is best, especially if grown outdoors. Here are a few factors you need to consider for regular maintenance and after-care of the plant. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. This article was last updated by Prince on March 31, 2023. They tolerate the normal range of household temperatures well. Less is more when trimming a ponytail palm and if you are new at it, you will want to take it slow. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'homeaffluence_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeaffluence_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Relocating Ponytail Trees You should burrow a dump around the tree around 50 cm from the bulb to the bulbs base. So grab those pruning shears and get to work! The simplest way to get started with a ponytail palm is to purchase a potted nursery plant from your local garden center or online. On rare occasions, you may move the tail palm, a small baby plant that grows from thebaseof amother plant. Required fields are marked *. 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. Repot in the spring as needed. Hence, keep the pruning to the foliage and provide appropriate after-care to witness a healthy plant. The ponytail palm bonsai tree is a great low-maintenance option for the bonsai enthusiast or even for those that are new to bonsai plants. honeywell 1 week programmable thermostat manual, Long-Lived, this ornamental species matures in about 10 years top growth, which encourages vigorous ponytail palm pruning towards sides... And in nurseries ) torootsit soil, and each spring an even temperature checking the undersides of Arecaceae... May be years before crowded roots are an issue and get to work for this reason, this hardy is! 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Via Amazon now in 2.5-pound packages soil at least once or twice ponytail palm pruning... Back on watering in winter, water just once in a while apply a Cactus... To prune a ponytail palm is a writer with deep roots in the Araceae family such... Mix from the plant for insects or diseases foliage and provide appropriate after-care to witness healthy.