Light: A Ponytail Palm grows best in very bright indirect light or full sun. In proper growing conditions, a Ponytail Palm can reach a height of up to 8ft.

Water: Over watering is just about the only way to kill a Ponytail Palm. Always allow the soil to thoroughly dry out before watering. During the warm months you may need to water a Ponytail Palm every 7-14 days; in the winter, however, it may be every three or four weeks. A Ponytail Palm stores water in its base and is very drought resistant; when in doubt, do not water!

Temperature: Ponytail Palms like warm temperatures above 60 degrees. They can survive temperatures in the 50's but will not grow as well. A Ponytail Palm, unlike a lot of exotic tropical houseplants, likes dry hot heat.

Humidity: A Ponytail Palm needs very little humidity.

Fertilize: Fertilize a Ponytail Palm monthly during the spring and summer with a basic houseplant food. If the soil is very dry, use plain water first and then the water containing fertilizer. This prevents root burn.

Pests: Mealy bugs, spider mites, and scale may infrequently infest a Ponytail Palm, especially the new growth. Spray the plant with the green solution at ½ strength to get rid of any infestations.

Soil: The soil of a Ponytail Palm needs to dry out so use a fast draining light soil with a lot of sand in it. This helps to prevent over watering and root rot.

Propagation: Propagate a Ponytail Palm by separating the offsets.

1. Why are the bottom leaves of my Ponytail Palm turning brown and yellow? The stem and base are getting wrinkled looking.
You are under watering your Ponytail Palm. Gradually start to water a little more frequently using a little more water each time. Be careful not to over water. A Ponytail Palm can survive for a long time being under watered but only very briefly being over watered.

2. My Ponytail Palm has gotten too tall for my house. What will happen if I cut the top off? Can I plant it?
Once you cut the top off of your Ponytail Palm, several new heads will start to grow from that area. These new heads will give your Ponytail Palm an even more interesting appearance. Most people don't have much luck planting the cut portion of the plant; but it's always worth a try. Be sure to dip the top of the Ponytail Palm into rooting hormone before you plant it to encourage the new roots.

3. My Ponytail Palm has (had) two heads. One of them became soft and mushy and fell over and the new growth on the other is very light green.
You are over watering your Ponytail Palm. Cut off the dead head and any part of the stem that seems soft and mushy. Don't water your plant for at least a month or more until you see new heads with green leaves starting to emerge from the trunk.

4. Why are the tips on the leaves of my Bottle Palm turning brown?
Brown tips on a Bottle Palm or Ponytail Palm are usually the result of too much fertilizer or too much fluoride or chlorine in the water. Cut back on your fertilizer and try using distilled water.

5. How often should I repot my Ponytail Palm? There doesn't seem to be much soil in the pot.
Ponytail Palms like to be root bound. If you want to keep your plant short, keep it in a small pot. If you want the Ponytail Palm to grow faster, repot it once a year; always go up only one pot size. The larger the pot the bigger the plant becomes. A Ponytail Palm can reach a height of 8ft. indoors.