Small Ponytail Palm

The Ponytail Palm, also known as the Beaucarnea Recurvata, is a slow-growing plant native to Southeastern Mexico that makes for a great easygoing houseplant. With long, luscious, green fronds that spill from its head, this plant really looks like it has hair!  Unlike actual hair that has trouble facing intense heat and humidity, Ponytail Palms are the exact opposite. They are tough plants that are designed to withstand dry and hot conditions.  

Despite its name, this plant is not actually a palm! The Ponytail Palm is a member of the Agave family, originates in the deserts, and is technically a succulent. The name can be quite deceiving and really only refers to its thick trunk and tree-like appearance. While most in the Agave family tend to grow very slowly, the Ponytail Palm breaks the mold and can reach larger sizes quicker.

Being that it’s from a semi-desert/deciduous forest environment, it thrives in average humidity, warm temperatures, slightly moist to dry soil, indirect bright light and will grow up to 6 to 8 ft. tall indoors. This makes them great to be placed in a bright corner or hallway! Over time this plant may lose some leaves underneath, but don’t be alarmed, this is just a natural occurrence in the plant’s life cycle.