Ponytail Palm — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Beaucarnea recurvata |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 21–60 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 23.9–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 730–3650 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 152.4–304.8 |
| Mature height (cm) | 91.4–457.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 91.4–243.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 9–12 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant in sharply drained, sandy or rocky, low-fertility soil in full sun; despite its name, ponytail palm is neither a palm nor a tree but a succulent member of the asparagus family from semi-arid Mexico, identifiable by its swollen, barrel-like base (caudex) that stores water and its long, thin, arching, grass-like leaves that cascade from the top like a ponytail. Water deeply but infrequently — monthly in summer, even less in winter — allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. It is virtually indestructible under hot, dry conditions and tolerates severe neglect, making it one of the best drought-tolerant accent plants for zone 9–11 landscapes. Produces offsets (pups) at the base that can be removed and rooted.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0