Beaucarnea

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Best In New Zealand!

Adding Beaucarnea recurvata (commonly known as Ponytail Palm) to your garden or indoor space delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact.
• Palms purify the air.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the right Ponytail Palm for your space. Our Beaucarnea have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Beaucarnea plants, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Beaucarnea Questions

1. Is Beaucarnea safe for pets?

Beaucarnea (also known as Ponytail Palm) is safe for pets, including cats and dogs. It is non-toxic to both animals and people.

2. Can Beaucarnea be in direct sunlight?

Beaucarnea (also known as Ponytail Palm) can be in direct sunlight. In fact, it prefers bright, direct sunlight. However, it is important to introduce the plant to direct sunlight gradually, especially if it has been grown in low light conditions. If you are placing your plant in direct sunlight for the first time, start by placing it in a spot where it will receive a few hours of direct sunlight each day. Then, gradually increase the amount of direct sunlight the plant receives until it is getting at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it is important to monitor the plant carefully and adjust its location as needed.

3. Are ponytail palms hard to keep alive?

Ponytail palms are not hard to keep alive. They are relatively low-maintenance plants that can tolerate a variety of conditions. However, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that your ponytail palm thrives:

• Water: Ponytail palms are drought-tolerant plants, but they still need to be watered regularly. Water deeply when the soil is dry, and be careful not to overwater. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common problem with ponytail palms.
• Light: Ponytail palms prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They can also tolerate some direct sunlight, but it is important to introduce them to direct sunlight gradually to avoid scorching the leaves.
• Soil: Ponytail palms need well-drained soil. A cactus mix or a sandy potting mix is ideal.
• Fertiliser: Ponytail palms need to be fertilised occasionally.
• Temperature: Ponytail palms are tropical plants and prefer warm temperatures. They cannot tolerate frost or cold temperatures. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to bring your ponytail palm indoors for the winter.

4. Should I cut the dead leaves off my ponytail palm?

Yes, you should cut the dead leaves off your ponytail palm. This will help the plant to look its best and will also help to prevent the spread of disease. Cut the dead leaves off at the base of the stem. Be careful not to damage the healthy leaves.

5. Is ponytail palm rare?

Whether a ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is considered rare depends on a few factors:

Species:

• Common ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): This is the most common variety and readily available at The Plant Company. It's not considered rare in the traditional sense.
• Other Beaucarnea species: Several other species of Beaucarnea exist, some of which are significantly less common. For example, Beaucarnea stricta is a slow-growing species with stiff, upright foliage. It's less commonly found and might be considered rare depending on your location.

Age and size:

• Mature ponytail palms: While common ponytail palms are easy to find, mature specimens with thick, bulbous bases and long, cascading leaves can be more expensive and harder to come by.
• Smaller plants: Younger ponytail palms are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Location:

• Availability can vary geographically. Certain regions might have limited access to even the common variety, making it seem more rare in those areas.

6. How quickly do ponytail palms grow?

Ponytail palms are known for their slow growth rate. In ideal conditions, they might grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) per year. However, this is more common for mature plants. When grown indoors, the growth is typically much slower, often around 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year. A small, 1-foot-tall (30 cm) ponytail palm can take several years or even five or more to double its size.

Factors affecting growth include:

• Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Low light can slow growth significantly.
• Watering: Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry almost completely between waterings. Overwatering can stunt growth and damage the plant.
• Pot size: Being pot-bound can also slow growth. Repotting into a slightly larger pot when the roots fill the current one can encourage growth.
• Fertiliser: A light feed during the growing season (spring and summer) can boost growth.

7. How big does Beaucarnea recurvata grow?

Beaucarnea recurvata, the common ponytail palm, can reach different sizes depending on its environment and growing conditions. Here's a breakdown:

Indoors:

• Typical height: 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
• Maximum height: Up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) in exceptional cases, but this is rare.
• Spread: Usually stays relatively narrow, around 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)

Outdoors:

• Typical height: 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
• Maximum height: Can reach up to 30 feet (9 meters) in ideal conditions, particularly in warm climates with full sun.
• Spread: Can broaden to 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 meters)

8. Is Beaucarnea recurvata easy to care for?

Beaucarnea recurvata, the ponytail palm, is widely considered one of the easiest houseplants to care for. Its low maintenance needs and forgiving nature make it a perfect choice for beginner plant parents and busy individuals.

• Lighting: Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates a wide range, including low and medium light.
• Watering: Requires infrequent watering. Once the soil dries almost completely, give it a deep soak and then let it dry again before watering. This prevents overwatering, a common mistake with houseplants.
• Soil: Needs well-draining soil to prevent root rot. A cactus mix or succulent mix is ideal.
• Fertilizing: Light feeding once or twice a year during the growing season (spring and summer) is sufficient.
• Pests and diseases: Relatively resistant to pests and diseases.