These slow-growing plants can live for many years with proper care. When repotting, choose a container at least an inch larger than the current container. Ponytail palms are truly interesting houseplants with their spiky poof of slender leaves capping a decidedly elephant skin trunk. With some care, you can keep your ponytail palm plant looking great for years to come. To shear your palm, use sharp pruning shears to trim away any excess growth evenly.-Topping your ponytail palm can give it a more tree-like appearance. Instead of a humid, misty environment, it requires one that is dry, like a cactus or succulent prefers. If it persists, the trunk may soften. They may also be left in place for a multi-stemmed, multi-caudex specimen. Ponytail palm pruning is only used if you want to remove the pups for planting. Place the container in a warm and sunny location and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. For a houseplant thats small enough to lift, take it to the sink, and water until it runs out of the drainage hole(s), to thoroughly saturate the roots. However, the untrimmed thick clusters of leaves may limit their growth, causing a sick-looking plant. Trimming may be done with shears and generally refers to the removal of the tips of leaves. This is applicable if you repot your plant during or after pruning. Be sure it is laid loosely over them, so air can still circulate. However, if it is made from plastic, its best to move the plant to a porous container to provide better air exchange and less chance of rotting from oversaturation, the nemesis of this water-wise plant. Start with trimming the yellowed and browning leaves, including decayed and dried leaves. Ponytail palms thrive best in sandy soils with a neutral ph of 6.5 to 7.5, resulting in a lush growth environment and healthy trees. A web-like substance may indicate spider mite infestation. Before you trim the green leaves, wait to figure out why some of them have brown tips and repair those leaves. Be sure to make clean, sharp cuts to avoid damaging the plant. Ponytail palm bonsai care does not differ much from that of any ponytail palm tree. Plants that spend the summer outdoors enjoy the rejuvenation of fresh air and sunshine, as well as deep, soaking rain reminiscent of their native habitat, which serves to keep the roots supple and able to take up nutrients. 3 Amazing Methods, How to Water Succulents #1 Best Care Guide. Three of these are similar to our subject species: the stiff-leaved B. stricta, the slender, bluish-leaved B. gracilis, and the red ponytail palm, B. guatemalensis. If during pruning you notice that the plant is growing on one side or the other, remember to turn the pot upside down every few months to maintain goodgrowthand also on both sides. Nursery plants are available in various sizes. If you want to try, use a rooting hormone to stimulate new root growth on the offset. Also called offsets, they should be divided from the main plant in spring and planted as separate, although cloned, plants. Keep digging until you are under the central part of the root system. But it is also an exceptionally attractive, easy-care houseplant in all zones. Dont remove all of the foliage at once, as the new top will grow faster than before, increasing the need for pruning. Articles, products, and services offered on this site are for informational purposes only. Once it calluses, the plant will send out a shoot and eventually leaves to form another cap of foliage. They are a versatile plant that with the right trims can be kept looking attractive and will discourage the plant from growing taller than it is. Underwatered foliage may turn yellow and then brown, as it dries out. Allow the wound to heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) torootsit. Sunlight can also cause the tips to go brown. Prepare the desert plant compost once per month in winter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); .slick-slider#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83656.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83656.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Ponytail Palm does not have multiple branches, making them quite woody and bulky in appearance, but do not mistake it for an aging plant. The males have cream-colored flowers, and those of the females are more pinkish. Ponytail palms sometimes develop offsets ("pups") from the base, which can be removed and potted up individually. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Plants Craze participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Cutting a plants leaves is known as pruning, and it is often done using shears. Ponytail palms are a type of succulent that stores water in its leaves, making it a drought-tolerant plant. However, they can go many years before requiring repotting to a larger pot. Get growing tips and ponytail palm care info from the articles that follow. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. Ponytail palms are slow growers so trimming should not be needed too often on the plant once it is trained. They are typically used as houseplants or in outdoor gardens in warm climates.Pruning a ponytail palm is relatively easy and does not require much experience. Next, trim the top of the leaf cluster by removing 2/3rd of the top growth, which encourages vigorous growth towards the sides. Potential but rare disease problems include leaf spots, stem rots, and bacterial leaf streak. The ponytail palm is not a real palm. The good news is that your ponytail palm is easy to care for once you know how. Thanks for reading, and we hope you have a great day! Only the leafy areas that are discolored should be clipped using pruning shears or sharp scissors. Pruning Although ponytail palms are very slow growers and do not need to be pruned regularly, they will eventually grow tall. Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. By the late 1800s, it was an established ornamental parlor plant in Europe, and today it enjoys popularity in the United States. It only works on the very young plants and you should make slightly curved cuts into the main trunk to force growth. Pruning and trimming can help to encourage new growth.Pruning and trimming can keep your plant looking its best.Pruning and trimming can help to control the size of your plant.Pruning and trimming can prevent your plant from becoming too large.Cons: Pruning and trimming can damage your plant if not done correctly. First, identify any dead or damaged leaves that need to be removed. Diseases that may affect ponytail palms include bacterial leaf streak, Botrytis blight, and stem rot. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Every 7 to 14 days throughout the growth season, water. You will want to make sure to do this early in the growing season to give the new foliage a chance to grow before it goes dormant for the winter. Pruning a ponytail palm is a simple process that can be done with a sharp knife or pruning shears. Remove any unwanted or excess growth as required. It is suited to outdoor cultivation in warm, dry regions of USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. Ponytail plants, which can be cultivated either inside or outdoors, provide a beautiful accent to any home design (during the warmer months). When grown as an indoor plant, situate it in the brightest location you can finda window that gets direct sun or plenty of indirect light. Horticultural soaps or oils are good non-toxic methods for controlling these pests. Snip in a vertical fashion, to keep the leaves pointy at the ends. 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. It seems that the larger the caudex grows, the more likely the plant is to flower. Ponytail palm plants are very drought tolerant because they can store water in their big, bulbous trunks. In general, you should only prune your ponytail palm when it is actively growing, which is typically in the spring and summer months. The ponytail palm is and very well may always be a very popular houseplant and bonsai specimen. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables. If some of the leaves are green and vibrant, I would discourage trimming those leaves because too much cutting can cause more injury. Evergreen ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is not actually a palm, but a succulent in the Asparagaceae family that also includes agave and asparagus. Never fear, though with some know-how, its easy to keep your ponytail palm plant looking neat and tidy. I use a natural one that has collagen and aloe. If the plant does not get enough water, it can suffer from dry leaves and brown tips and edges. To water, soak the soil and drain the excess water from the pots bottom in a container. What are the Anthurium Roots Above the Soil? Once you have corrected the issue, trim the brown ends away in long, slightly concave strokes to keep the ends from looking square. However, if you need to remove dead or damaged leaves at any time of year, feel free to do so. Occasional Watering 5. This characteristic backward, downward bend gives the foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail. Treat this plant like a cactus or succulent by planting it in a cactus or succulent soil in a container with drainage. A ponytail palm planted in the garden rarely needs to be watered if you get any kind of regular rain. This will force the plant to grow downward into the shape of a ponytail. On the one hand, ponytail palm pruning is for ornamental beauty. If you find yourself pruning brown foliage, consider the source of the desiccation. Common pests that favor dry indoor environments include mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Fertilizer 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. Ponytail palm is dioecious, which means that only the female plants will set seed, and the flowers require pollination from a male plant. The leaves grow in clumps with a base that attaches to the trunk. Moreover, you can remove suckers from the plant base that could be propagated during the same growing season. Houseplants, on the other hand, especially those that are over- or under-watered and those in humid locations, are more susceptible. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Suckers must go because they suck essential nutrients off the plant. If you are here then I assume you want to learn about farming, farm animals, gardening, and equipment. Pruning, on the other hand, usually refers to the removal of base and woody materials for the purpose of rejuvenating or restoring the plant. This will make the plant grow into a tail. 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 you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Prepare them for propagation in a new pot or throw them away. A ponytail palm is a type of succulent plant that stores water in its leaves. Required fields are marked *. HayFarmGuyis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This will give the plant time to recover and produce new development for the upcoming growing season. Ponytail Palm, Ponytail Palms are splendid little succulents with the tropical aesthetics of a small palm tree. Use sharp trimming shears and trim leaves off the top of the plant. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Separation of scions should be placed during spring. As a houseplant that can achieve a height of eight feet given room to continually increase the size of its caudex, it bears noting that there may come a time when the pot becomes too unwieldy to move. Ensure you check for leaf damage, pests, diseases, and dying leaves before taking action. We trust you have taken a great deal to this article on the best way to trim a ponytail palm. 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. Watering too much is the most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot. HayFarmGuy - Get Info About Farm Animals in Your Inbox. Always use clean, sharp tools when pruning or trimming your ponytail palm to avoid damaging the plant.After pruning or trimming your ponytail palm, it is essential to care for the plant properly to ensure it grows healthy and strong. Overwatering can cause root rot, so allow the soil to dry thoroughly . If you are lucky enough to have a friend with a plant, watch for the growth of one or more small offshoots from the main plant. Your email address will not be published. They are easy to care for houseplant that needs little maintenance. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, shes always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Be sure that you are sitting at eye level with the plant and take a break often to check your work so that you do not trim too much away. Plant looking great for years to come and vibrant, I would discourage trimming those leaves because too cutting! 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