HOW TO GROW PONYTAIL PALMS | All you need to know about Beaucarnea species

Beaucarnea species, called Ponytail Palms, can add a lot to your tropical landscape. Here's all I know about them and how to successfully grow them.
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[@garciamario5436]

Absolutely beautiful palms ❤

[@RichardSites]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@liliaeurich9684]

You are so knowledgeable about Pony Tail pails.Thank you. I live in Fl.

[@RichardSites]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching and commenting

[@MADDENSTYLE-kk9bj]

I loved this video! I want to buy this beautiful ponytail palm I have found it’s abit expensive though

[@RichardSites]

Sorry, I've moved from the house. You're right though, it would be super expensive. Thanks for watching.

[@JohnnyRecently]

Subscribed, I recently got a 50+ year-old Ponytail palm...root bound in a POT. How often should I water during July-August, when we get strings of over 100 degree days?

[@RichardSites]

If it is root bound, it could probably use a good & thorough watering 2X per week. As always, err on the side of too little rather than too much water. Thanks for commenting.

[@omarabelardoreyesgonzalez48]

Hey Richard, thanks for your video! My ponytail palm is growing bended as it is trying to catch more sun light (it is in my garden next to a huge bamboo). I will move it so it doesnt have to compete for the sun light. Do you have any advice on planting it out safely? Thanks a lot :)

[@RichardSites]

They are extremely durable and you should have no trouble moving it. However, it wouldn't hurt to root prune 1/3 each week before moving. Good luck. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@khushpadda8637]

love from india

[@RichardSites]

Thanks

[@Anna-ww4pv]

Mine is always making pups. I carefully separate them.

[@RichardSites]

Interesting

[@liliaeurich9684]

I have a double 10 yr.old Ponytail Palm in a Very large pot. I would like to separate them but It has really grown together. I would have to saw the ball into, but I am afraid it will die if I do that. I know it is VERY root bound,so I would like to put it in the ground because of its size.

[@RichardSites]

I think that's your only choice. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rebecca5969]

The squirrel is wanting to get educated too. 😂

[@RichardSites]

No doubt

[@JohnnyRecently]

What is the coldest weather your ponytail endured...without protection?

[@RichardSites]

Not sure but it was never protected.

[@johnnybarajas4315]

I purchased a home two years go and they planted a ponytail right alongside the house. The wide trunk bottom is now hitting against the home so I'm considering removing it before it causes damage.

[@RichardSites]

Planting things too close to houses is a typical problem. You have two choices though. One, these plants transplant very easily so you might relocate it in the yard. The other thing is if it's real big you might check with some nurseries landscape nurseries they might buy it from you and come and remove it. Could be worth a lot of money

[@TriviaQuizzMind]

How many years have that beacarnea? Do you have dripper sistem or just watering with hose?

[@RichardSites]

I had it about 10 years and never watered it during that time. Natural rain is all it needs. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@shawntheartist4984]

Where do I put my plant once it can’t fit in my house anymore if I live in Wisconsin?

[@RichardSites]

Well, I hate to say this but if you have the nerve you can cut the top off and it will sprout multiple heads. Or find someplace, like a church, with a tall lobby and donate it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@melanierobson3336]

​@@RichardSitesI live in a zone 4 in northern ontario and have a fairly happy little beaucarnea, and I guess someone cut the head off like you advised, because it has multiple sprouts around the edge of the flat top. The trunk is pretty straight, not bulbous at all at the bottom. I've seen other videos where they called the sprouts pups and cut them off and repotted them, which is what I'd like to do, but can't find any good reference that actually shows how to do this with minimal trauma to the plant. I guess if you can cut the whole head off, a pup won't be too traumatic lol. Thanks for the informative video. I now know I have been over watering! It probably doesn't get enough light, but it seems to enjoy living over the heater when the cold months come, not unlike myself!

[@mikemeegan9529]

Hi Richard can I ask you if it's possible to cut the bulb in 2? I have a 11ft tall ponytail with 2 trees coming out of the bulb of the plant. This is a rescue and I hoping to save this beautiful tree. I'm not sure if I can spit the plant in half. Thanks for any suggestions.

[@RichardSites]

I would not do this. The plant is a member of the lily family and has only 1 growing head. That said, I am not an expert. I think if you cut it in half it will die. Thanks for asking.

[@mikemeegan9529]

@@RichardSites great thank you so much I appreciate the quick response.

[@ZE308AC]

what happens if you prune the top?

[@RichardSites]

It will sprout multiple heads. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@carlossruilowacespedes596]

Hi. do you have any secrets to make them bloom? i have one that already bloomed once about 2 or 3 years ago, but i want it to bloom again, thanks

[@RichardSites]

No secrets but they should, like all memebers of the lily family, bloom yearly. Thanks foe watching.

[@juancarlossoriano6935]

@@RichardSites hello how would I trim the dead blooms? I trimmed off the blooms on mine a few months ago and I don’t see any new growth? Should I cut a little lower? I cut the blooms off right where they started. Thanks

[@harrisosborn2141]

When you say full sun. Does that still mean if other trees are casting a shadow on it. I have two giant mango trees and they’re always block on some of the sunrays

[@RichardSites]

No, these plants are very tolerant of different conditions.

[@sandyd2527]

I'm originally from NYC and just moved to Fort Pierce, Fl. I was given one of this, and I want to put in front of my house but in a pot. I live in a community and planting is not allowed. My front yard gets full sun all day. Do you think the hot sun will scorched it. Please advise. How about in those few days that it gets cold, do I bring her inside. Thanks

[@RichardSites]

No, they are very tolerant of sun and cold. However, like you they could get sunburned. Move slowly into the full sun. They are desert plants but might like a blanket over them on those really really cold nights. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@christyneoliver6613]

My ponytail palm is about 5ft. tall and root-bound. Can I cut the head off and replant it? What do I do with the trunk part? Can I open up the roots and repot?

[@RichardSites]

OK, technically the top could/should reroot but I would not do it. A 5 ft. specimen is quite a nice thing. I would either take it out and using a machete or serrated bread knife trim the roots around the perimeter and repot...OR simply step up to a larger pot. Cutting it off would be a tremendous waste. But if you do, yes the trunk will sprout again, this time with multiple heads. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@holycow3355]

Does it have aggressive root system, break concrete & pipes ?

[@RichardSites]

No

[@abracadeborah3117]

I just transplanted my ponytail palm from a container to my yard here in Central Florida. It doesn't have the trunk yet, just a big bulb at the bottom. When will it grow the trunk? Also, should I cut the bottom fronds off to keep them off the ground until it grows a trunk?

[@RichardSites]

I would just leave it alone. I think plants do better when they are left alone.

[@abracadeborah3117]

@@RichardSites Thanks, I hope it eventually grows a trunk.

[@Miranda-cw9hq]

Hi! I desperately need advice please! The top of my giant ponytail palm got broken off. Long story but safe to say my heart was broken. I'm not sure of the species but I would say the stem is a lot thicker than yours in the video and greener. Anyway: 1) I treated the broken off tip with rooting powder and planted it in a pot with soil. Will it sprout roots and grow? It's been about a month and it's starting to yellow😔 2) Will the remaining palm still sprout new leaves from the tip or have I now stinted the growth permanently? 3) How do I get it to make babies along the stem? I would GREATLY appreciate your advice! Thanking you in advance!!

[@RichardSites]

The broken off tip CAN root again, but may not. These are slow growing plants so don't give up on it. As for the babies, once the growing tip is gone, the "dormant eyes" along the trunk will sprout and you should have multiple heads along the trunk. Again, they are slow growing so don't give up.

[@Miranda-cw9hq]

@@RichardSites Thank you SO much! I sincerely appreciate your advice (and confidence in me! Lol) I promise to do my best and hopefully make you proud! Thanks for an excellent video. I'll be sure to sub after watching some of your other videos. Be blessed!

[@Miranda-cw9hq]

​​@@RichardSites Hi there! 2 months since my post and 3mnths after the tip of my ponytail palm broke off: The broken-off tip that I replanted with rooting hormone was a fail. HOWEVER the mother plant has already sprouted new leaves in the broken crown! And it's growing FAST! Appeared last week and is now almost an inch already. THREE new leaves! I'm ecstatic! Anyway, I thought you would like some feedback. Stay safe!🌹

[@lilirivera-kroon1473]

Hi I think your comment about “ don’t grow them under eaves or you have to cut them off” is not accurate, if you cut the main vertical head it will stop growing upwards, I’ve got one like that

[@RichardSites]

You missed the point

[@marciahenry3721]

Greetings! I have had an Elephant foot plant, (Beaucarnea) for well over 25 years. It's now over 7 feet high. I have repotted it a number of times. Recently I've noticed that the centre cluster of leaves are falling out and the ends are brown. I'm worried that my beloved plant is dying and I don't know what caused it or what to do. Can you offer any suggestions as how I can save it?

[@RichardSites]

My first guess would be overwatering. Remember that these are desert plants and could go for an extended period of time without water. Also, if the growing head dies it may sprout from the dormant eyes along the trunk. Good luck and keep us posted.

[@marciahenry3721]

@@RichardSites I thank you for you time and interest. I will keep you updates on the unfolding.

[@Christian_smith7]

@@marciahenry3721 what happened to your plant? Is it alive?

[@marciahenry3721]

@@Christian_smith7 Thank you for checking up on my plant. Happily it did not die. However nothing was visible in the crown for a while, then I noticed a mass of young leaves. so it has recovered. I live in a very rainy section of Jamaica, and now have to consider covering it during the rainy months. Much appreciated.

[@MR-xy4tf]

Hi Richard, I have a 15 gallon pony tail I bought from a nursey here in Clearwater, FL. How big should I dig the hole and how do I care for it once it is in the ground at first? Also, my yard is basically sand. Will it be ok or should I put some rock in the hole for drainage? Thank you,

[@RichardSites]

As with all plants, dig a hole much bigger (wider) than the pot. If you have sand, this should be easy. Don't plant too deep and you shouldn't need rocks if you are in sandy soil. These are basically desert plants and are very hardy. Do not "love it" to death. Thanks for watching.

[@MR-xy4tf]

@@RichardSites Thank you!

[@MR-xy4tf]

@@RichardSites How often should I water it, just got it in the ground yesterday.

[@MR-xy4tf]

@@RichardSites Should I use a granular fertilizer and if so how often? Thanks

[@RichardSites]

I just use cheap, granular 10-10-10 from home Depot. Works very well for me go lightly but fairly often during the growing season. And do not over water.

[@explorer909]

2:13 - Those plants look nowhere near as beautiful as the greenhouse plants. lol

[@RichardSites]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.