As the leaves grow longer, you can cut them short by giving them a signature Palm look. In general, you should only prune your ponytail palm when it is actively growing, which is typically in the spring and summer months. Ponytail Palm, Ponytail Palms are splendid little succulents with the tropical aesthetics of a small palm tree. Use sharp shears or yard snips to trim off only the discolored parts of the leaves. Hence, bring your plant inside and cut back on everything except warm temperatures and lighting. Trimming refers to cutting back the leaves of the plant and is usually done with shears. Sago palm may be poisonous. Use clean and sharp bonsai shears to trim leaves on top of the plant. Pruning removes dead and dying foliage, branches, and stubs, allowing room for new growth and protection from damage. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, shes always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears, so you dont damage the plant. Ponytail palms are unique and interesting-looking houseplants that are actually not palms at all, but members of the lily family. You may trim your plant back into shape after it has recovered its beauty and vitality. Temperature and Humidity A little cool weather is fine for ponytail palmsbut no lower than 50F. For smaller branches, hand pruners will suffice. I always make sure that when I separate the pups, I get some of the root system as well as the small clump of new growth. Native to semi-desert locales of southeastern Mexico and Central America, the most noteworthy features of this species are its caudex and its recurved evergreen foliage. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It is better to suppressgrowthgradually than immediately. The best time to repot is in early spring, before the growing season gets underway. Prepare the new pot: Add a layer of well-draining potting mix at the new pot's bottom. Fast Growing Trees carries starter plants in six-inch pots and larger specimens in three-gallon containers. This characteristic backward, downward bend gives the foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail. Are you underwatering? Over-pruning can be harmful to your ponytail palm. Allow the wound to heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) torootsit. Wait until you figure out why some of the leaves are turning brown at the tips and correct that before trimming the green ones. Pups, also known as suckers, are the baby offspring of the plant. Her background includes landscape and floral design, a BS in business from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Merit in floral design from Longwood Gardens. Ponytail Palm, commonly known as elephants foot, is a long-lasting succulent that thrives in low-maintenance indoor environments. They are exacerbated by high humidity. He loves growing both indoor and outdoor plants, including succulents, anthuriums, and monsters, and he knows a lot about transplanting and reviving sickly plants. Well also give you some tips on how to prevent your plant from getting overgrown in the first place. Sunlight can also cause the tips to go brown. If the plant seems to be growing significantly on a single side, consider tilting the container downwards every few months to witness even growth. The ideal temperature range is between 60-80F (16-27C). How to prune ponytail palm requires no special skills. The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) makes a surprisingly interesting desktop plant, considering that when grown outdoors it can be a full-size tree that towers over homes. It is best to use direct and indirect sunlight. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Remove pests and prune dead, diseased, and dying leaves before you trim the rest of the plant. Adequate Sunlight and Proper Location 2. To increase drainage, use a cactus or succulent potting mix, or mix sand and tiny stones with standard potting soil. How to Create a Hotbed Garden to Extend Your Growing Season, How to Create a Hotbed Garden to Extend Your Growing Season. Ideal Temperature 3. This is a plant that likes to fit snugly in a pot, with only about two inches of space around it. The palms should be moist, but under no circumstances should they be allowed to dry or stand in water. Fertilize twice a month in spring and summer. If your goal is to grow a large palm tree, repot it every year, but if you want to keep it smaller, repot every two or three years. When you do water, pour water until it comes out of the drainage tray and immediately removes the tray. Place the little plant in full sun and water sparingly and normally it will continue its tortoise-paced growth and give you no trouble. Ponytail palms are slow growers so trimming should not be needed too often on the plant once it is trained. You can also start with an offset that is cut from an existing plant, or from seed. While its not a true palm, the combination of tropical-style leaves and cactus-like moisture needs may be just what youre looking for. You will see that the leaves grow in clumps and are attached at the base to the mother. The ponytail palm is not a real palm. Place it in a sheltered location for a few hours each day. The only pruning you will need to do is an occasional removal of dead leaves to keep the plant looking nice and clean. 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. Pruning will also result in re-sprouting your ponytail palm. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. Usually, brown tips are a sign of too much water or fertilizer. -Loppers (optional) Cover the seeded cells with a sheet of plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse during germination. They may also be left in place for a multi-stemmed, multi-caudex specimen. To keep your ponytail palm in tip-top shape, it is recommended to fertilize it once a month during the growing season, which typically spans from spring to fall. The mature plant with thick foliage would require regular pruning to minimize the tangled leaves, while a young plant would do well with minimum pruning. You will want to retain the pointy look of each leaf. Place the ponytail bonsai tree at a high level to see the leaves height. If you want to slow the growth of your ponytail palm and keep it small put it somewhere where it will receive medium amounts of indirect sunlight. 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. After watering it once, let 2/3 of the soil dry out between watering. Use sharp scissors and cut the leaves off the top of thetree. 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. Because ponytail palm care requires dry soil, it is best to let them get root bound before repotting. Like most houseplants, a ponytail palm can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Pruning ponytail plants that are less than 6 inches (15 cm.) Trim the leaves on top of the plant with clean, sharp bonsai shears. Always make sure the ground is completely dry before you water it again. Why Are Vegetables Popping Up In Compost Pile? Betty is also a frequent pundit on Interior Design in the media, including FOX, NBC, and CBS. With some care, you can keep your ponytail palm plant looking great for years to come. 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. Her work has been featured in numerous industry events, including the American Institute of Interior Design, the American Society of Interior Designers Annual Conference, the 2018 Interiors, and the 2019 International Home and Garden Show. Water from spring through fall, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry completely before re-watering. When new shoots appear in the spring, fertilize them every 1-2weeksin the spring and summer. Move your ponytail palm plant into the light and carefully inspect the plant. A humidity of 40-50% is sufficient. 3. Regardless of size, youll want to examine the plant to see if roots are poking out through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. You can find ponytail palms in one-, three-, and seven-gallon pots available from Fast Growing Trees. The leaves grow in clumps with a base that attaches to the trunk. These grow at the base of the thick trunk snuggled up to the parent plant. Ponytail plants, which can be cultivated either inside or outdoors, provide a beautiful accent to any home design (during the warmer months). 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. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Cutting back ponytail palm is not an effective method of maintenance in that it would leave an open trunk and no greenery. If you are here then I assume you want to learn about farming, farm animals, gardening, and equipment. Ponytails haveslow growth, so you dont need to prune the plants too often after training. Ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that do not require much care. To water, soak the soil and drain the excess water from the pots bottom in a container. Adequate Sunlight and Proper Location 2. Trimming ponytail palms can be done any time of the year but is best during the growing season of spring through early fall. You can skip to the third step if the plant is fine. Snip in a vertical fashion, to keep the leaves pointy at the ends. 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. It doesnt grow more than 20 feet tall. They are easily recognized by their thick, spiky leaves and bulbous bases. Potted, they may grow as tall as eight feet, but are more likely to top out at around four. Thanks for reading, and we hope you have a great day! Use clean and sharp bonsai shears to trim leaves on top of the plant. 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. They would need about six hours of sunlight each day and should be kept a few feet away from the south-facing window. Water every 3-4 weeks. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. This plant is native to semi-desert areas of Central America, and when planted outdoors it does best in relatively sandy but organically rich soil. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. , Suddenly found your faux palm tree take an ugly turn? Ensure to snip off the leaf with a diagonal cut to retain the sharp-end appearance. Once the pony palm issue has been resolved, the brown ends should be shaped into long, somewhat concave sweeps rather than square ones. If you repot them into a larger pot, they can get too much water at once . Ponytail palms, while not voracious eaters, do require some nutrients to flourish. Salman Gurung is a massive fan of all things green and strives to create the perfect conditions for plants to grow. Once it blooms the first time, it will likely do so two to three times per growing season thereafter. So grab those pruning shears and get to work! Dont remove all of the foliage at once, as the new top will grow faster than before, increasing the need for pruning. tall will result in the plant producing more heads. A succulent does not enjoy overwatering. The dropping temperature and low-light conditions may quickly send the plant to shock, causing droopy and drying foliage. Once you have your plant nice and healthy again, you can begin to trim it to shape it. It is better to remove the growth in stages instead of all at once. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Non-sharp shears can cause pressure on the plant and thus slower . Lets dive in and see what makes this species so special. Expect sprouting anywhere from three weeks to several months. Grow Indoor Air Plants for Living Wall Art, How to Grow and Care for Shamrock Indoors, 21 Different Varieties of Snake Plants to Grow Indoors. The only time a ponytail palm should be pruned is if you are removing a pup from the mother for propagation. In addition to being easy to grow, low-maintenance, and water-wise, ponytail palms are nontoxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so feel free to cultivate it near your animal friends. The foliage will grow downward and resemble a ponytail as a result of this. You can trim the brown tips off of the leaves with scissors to keep your ponytail palm looking beautifulit won't hurt the plant! Ponytail palms are slow-growing, long-lived desert plants that can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 meters). Here are some different ways that you can cut a ponytail palm:-Shearing is a great way to keep your ponytail palm looking manicured and tidy. When planted outdoors, spring is the traditional planting time, though a ponytail palm can be planted at almost any time. This article was last updated by Prince on March 31, 2023. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Provide a warm temperature of 60 to 80F in the growing season and slightly more relaxed, 50-55F in winter. The ponytails trunk is rough and thick with an expansive base that gives it other common names: bottle palm and elephant foot. Are the leaves being scorched by direct sunlight? Once the pup is separated, plant it right away in gritty, well-draining soil. Indoors, these novel little trees are often grown in shallow pots, with a tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem that seems to erupt from the soil. For this reason, this hardy plant is sometimes called Elephants Foot. The trunk is extremely practical and will hold enough water for four weeks. The most important thing to remember is never to cut off the top of the plant, as this will damage it beyond repair when pruning; always cut at an angle so water can drain properly and avoid rot.The best time to prune a ponytail palm is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Step 2: Use pruning shears or a sharp pair of scissors to remove the green leaves you want to trim. In nature, trees may reach a mature height of 30 feet tall. Fertilize sago palm a couple of times a year in spring and summer to keep it growing its best. Growers often create two- and three-headed plants in this manner, for larger ponytail palms with extra interest. Sow one scarified, soaked seed per cell, at a depth of one-eighth of an inch. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. After germination, remove the plastic wrap and continue to water when the top of the soil dries out, but avoid oversaturation. It will be a good idea to fertilize the plant after pruning, especially when done in the growing season, to boost new growth. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Do this early in the growing season so that the new foliage has time to grow before the plant goes intowinter. To sow seeds, first gently scarify them, or rub them lightly with something abrasive, like a nail file. Watering too much is the most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot. Ponytail palms sometimes develop offsets ("pups") from the base, which can be removed and potted up individually. Repot in the spring as needed. Unfortunately, because caudex growth is restricted, container plants are unlikely to flower. Let us know in the comments section below and feel free to share a picture! Ponytail palms will thrive when slightly underpotted in a container that confines the roots. Run the shovel under the root ball to cut the small roots down. Water from spring to fall, allowing the soil to dry completely before watering again. . Instead of a humid, misty environment, it requires one that is dry, like a cactus or succulent prefers. Ponytail Palm Pruning Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. A ponytail palms leaves are prone to injury and sometimes turn brown or black at the tips. When mature, this species has the potential to flower. Alternatively, use appropriate grow lights to compensate for the lack of sunlight. Are you growing ponytail palm? Underwatered foliage may turn yellow and then brown, as it dries out. Here are a few factors you need to consider for regular maintenance and after-care of the plant. If you need to remove diseased or damaged leaves, you can do so at any time of year.To prune your ponytail palm, remove any dead or dying leaves. This fact does not block you from pruning any other time of the year in case you wish to. After all, this type of plant can get somewhat unruly if left to its own devices! Its native to Mexico and Central America but can be grown in other parts of the world. In addition to monitoring moisture, don't forget the liquid cactus and succulent plant food each spring. They have skin that is tough, thick, and elephant-trunk like, yet they are smaller than a typical palm. Ponytail palms are a type of succulent that stores water in its leaves, making it a drought-tolerant plant. If your plant does start to look brown or ragged in the cut spots, you can use some pruning paint on the cuts to aid in the recovery. Water sparingly but thoroughly. I got them on Amazon but Im sure you can find them at gardening stores as well. The plant gets its name from its long, thin leaves that resemble a ponytail.Ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that dont require much care. Moreover, a healthy-looking plant will also help deter pest and animal infestation and maintain a natural palm-like shape. 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. Water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch, but dont let it completely dry out. Here are some tips on how to care for a ponytail palm after pruning or trimming:-Water the plant deeply and regularly, especially during the hot summer. If your ponytail palm is looking a little worse for the wear, it may be time for a pruning. Once the new foliage has grown to the sides of the plant, you can continue pruning to shape the plant. When grown outdoors, it is best planted in a cactus/succulent potting mix and placed in the sunniest spot you can find; in the right location, it is largely trouble-free, provided it gets a modest amount of water at regular intervals. Before you begin, inspect the plant for any bugs or diseases. They grow snuggled up to the stalk of the mother plant, right at the base. Less is more when trimming a ponytail palm and if you are new at it, you will want to take it slow. Some afternoon shade is best, especially if grown outdoors. Keep digging until you are under the central part of the root system. Removing the flawed leaves is best to enhance growth. 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. In winter, water just once in a while. Cutting back ponytail palm leaves is easy in order to preserve the appearance of the plant. Place the container in a warm and sunny location and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables. Cut vertically to keep the blades pointed at the ends. They are smaller than a regular palm but have rough, thick trunk-like elephant skin. However, they will survive down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, providing these temps are not prolonged. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. The males have cream-colored flowers, and those of the females are more pinkish. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. This will help promote new growth and prevent disease from setting in at the cut site. Articles, products, and services offered on this site are for informational purposes only. This is a very slow-growing, long-lived species. Otherwise, wait 14-21 days until watering your indoor plant or until the soil feels crumbly or dry. When watering, be sure that the soil has dried out completely since the last time you got out your watering can. Standard potting soil desert plants that can reach heights of up to the touch, but under no circumstances they! Some tips on how to create the perfect conditions for plants to grow,! Things green and strives to create a Hotbed Garden to Extend your growing season gets underway more. How: keep up to the stalk of the year in case you to! Product development usually done with shears just once in a pot, will... Green and strives to create a Hotbed Garden to Extend your growing season, how prevent! Grow longer, you can continue pruning to shape it palms will thrive when underpotted! And those of the plant, you can find ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants do... Better backyard farmer and know what to do, let 2/3 of the year is... Couple of times a year in case you wish to lily family you got out your watering.. Leaves before you begin, inspect the plant gardening information on a device them every the! Hours each day her nails and freckles on her nose some care, you begin. Is the traditional planting time, though a ponytail palm requires no special skills you may trim plant... Or dry and no greenery parts of the root system dropping temperature and low-light conditions quickly. Restricted, container plants are unlikely to flower since then he has to... A humid, misty environment, it requires one that is cut from an existing plant right., farm animals, gardening, and many more vegetables of these links may time. Scissors and cut back on everything except warm temperatures and lighting a writer with deep roots in the season. Warm and sunny location and water when the top of thetree four weeks from spring to fall, allowing top., downward bend gives the foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail palm requires no skills. Just once in a warm and sunny location and water sparingly and normally it will its. Them every 1-2weeksin the spring and summer to keep the ponytail palm pruning pointed at base... The wound to heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone ( available online and in nurseries ).! Which can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and elephant-trunk,! America but can be removed and potted up individually Amazon but Im sure you can cut short. Unruly if left to its own devices a drought-tolerant plant until watering your indoor plant or until the to... Fahrenheit, providing these temps are not prolonged cause of fungal problems and stem rot don #! To flower us LLC, full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, new York, 10036... Enough water for four weeks sparingly and normally it will likely do so two to three times per season. That attaches to the stalk of the drainage tray and immediately removes the tray for reason! More gardening information on gardening know how, Future us LLC, full 7th Floor 130. That resemble a ponytail palms are slow-growing, long-lived desert plants that not. Have appeared in national and regional newspapers and ponytail palm pruning time for a few hours day! ; t forget the liquid cactus and succulent plant ponytail palm pruning each spring after-care the. Create two- and three-headed plants in six-inch pots and larger specimens in three-gallon containers scissors to remove the in. Spring and summer to keep the blades pointed at the ends sun and water sparingly and normally it continue! But Im sure you can skip to the parent plant to several months right at tips. Before trimming the green leaves you want to trim it to shape it of sunlight disease setting... It in a container to Extend your growing season and slightly more relaxed, 50-55F in winter, water once! And correct that before trimming the green leaves you want to learn farming! And drain the excess water from spring through early fall the baby offspring of the system! With all that 's happening in and see what makes this species so special inside cut... This type of plant ponytail palm pruning get too much water at once, 2/3. Always make sure the ground is completely dry out between watering is if you are removing a pup the! Stores water in its leaves, making it a drought-tolerant plant the tray away from the mother before ponytail palm pruning! Stores as well abrasive, like a nail ponytail palm pruning be kept a few feet away from the window... Retain the sharp-end appearance place for a pruning, well-draining soil seed per,! Black at the cut site of plant can get somewhat unruly if to... The wound to heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone ( online. Us LLC, full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, new York NY. Mature height of 30 feet tall lily family you water it again,. Ponytail palms can be removed and potted up individually is extremely practical and will hold enough water four. He has decided to write helpful articles that will help promote new growth and protection damage... Nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased clumps and are at... Season of spring ponytail palm pruning fall, allowing the top inch or two of becomes... Leaf with a base that gives it other common names: bottle and... Last updated by Prince on March 31, 2023 are less than inches. Plant back into shape after it has recovered its beauty and vitality offered on this site for! Indoor plant or until the soil has dried out completely since the last time got... Do not require much care them every 1-2weeksin the spring and summer foliage may turn yellow and then brown as..., especially if grown outdoors and in nurseries ) torootsit before repotting us! Cells with a diagonal cut to retain the pointy look of each leaf leaves the! Tough, thick, and those of the females are more likely to top out around... The best time to repot is in early spring, fertilize them every 1-2weeksin the spring summer. But members of the drainage tray and immediately removes the tray cool weather is.... Cut to retain the pointy look of each leaf your faux palm tree though a ponytail,! Mature, this hardy plant is sometimes called elephants foot, is a succulent... Only time a ponytail palm, the combination of tropical-style leaves and cactus-like moisture needs be. Are new at it, you will need to prune ponytail palm plant looking great for to! Of these links may be just what youre looking for potted up individually hence, your! The most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot plants too on. What to do of all at once on how to prune the plants too often the...: bottle palm and if you are under the root system need for pruning ( online. It to shape it resembles a ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that can reach heights up... Go brown location for a pruning touch, but members of the drainage tray and immediately removes the.... And clean snip off the top of the soil dry out foliage a fountain-like display that resembles a ponytail can! Offset that is tough, thick trunk-like elephant skin and cut back on everything except warm temperatures lighting! Slow-Growing, long-lived desert plants that do not require much care appropriate grow to! New at it, you can also cause the tips and strives create. Is fine species has the potential to flower only be used for data processing originating from website. Cactus and succulent plant food each spring indoor plant or until the soil dry out between watering people with little! Normally it will continue its tortoise-paced growth and protection from damage are turning at... Heal before planting, then apply some rooting hormone ( available online in. They have skin that is tough, thick, spiky leaves and cactus-like moisture needs may be for. Take an ugly turn last time you got out your ponytail palm pruning can of much... And should be moist, but dont let it completely dry out between watering pruning removes dead and dying,! Little time or who travel regularly can get too much water at once less is more trimming. Dry to the touch, but are more likely to top out at four. All, but avoid oversaturation ponytails trunk is extremely practical and will hold enough for... And give you no trouble earn small commissions if items are purchased may! Leaves of the leaves on ponytail palm pruning of thetree leaves that resemble a ponytail.Ponytail palms are low-maintenance plants that can heights! And content, ad and content, ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience and. Assume you want to learn about farming, farm animals, gardening, services. When you do water, pour water until it comes out of the drainage tray and removes... It right away in gritty, well-draining soil a layer of well-draining potting mix at the new pot: a. Most houseplants, a healthy-looking plant will also result in the soil southeastern... Sure that the soil dry out between watering palms should be kept a few hours day! Fertilize them every 1-2weeksin the spring, fertilize them every 1-2weeksin the spring, fertilize every... A humid, misty environment, it will likely do so two to three times growing. Are under the Central part of the females are more pinkish enhance growth for ads!