Ponytail Palm

1. Planting: Ponytail Palms will thrive in a variety of conditions - in cooler climates they will like a full sun location, and in warmer areas they will prefer some afternoon shade. Ponytail Palms can tolerate almost any soil type but prefer well-draining areas. In ideal growing conditions, you can expect your palm to reach around 30ft if planted in the ground. In containers your palm will grow to fit the space allowed.

After choosing your location, dig a hole that is three times as big around as the container the palm came in (the root ball) and just as deep. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the surrounding soil. Then, back fill, tamp down and water to settle the roots. Mulch the planting area when done to conserve moisture and protect the roots from temperature fluctuation.

For indoors growth, choose a container that is two times larger than the one the plant initially arrived in. Fill the container part way and place the palm in the container so that the soil is just below the top of the container and fill the remainder of the way. Water until it begins to flow through the bottom drainage holes. Let the soil dry out almost completely - they can go up to two weeks without being watered.

2. Watering: Ponytail Palms are very drought tolerant, whether they are in a container or in the ground. For best growth water your palm when 75% of the soil is dry.

3. Pruning: Simply remove yellow or damaged fronds.

4. Fertilizing: Young trees do not need to be fertilized until after they grow a new spear (about 2 months). After that, they will perform best when fertilized with a slow-release fertilizer, such a 10-5-10 formula, in the spring and summer.