Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) #1 at 41″ tall on 9-22-11, #80-16.
Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata
bow-KAR-nee-uh rek-er-VAY-tuh
Synonyms of Beaucarnea recurvata (8) (Updated on 11-15-22 from Plants of the World Online): Beaucarnea inermis (S.Watson) Rose (1906), Beaucarnea tuberculata (Lem.) Hurst (1874), Dasylirion inerme S.Watson (1891), Dasylirion recurvatum (K.Koch & Fintelm.) J.F.Macbr. (1918), Nolina recurvata (K.Koch & Fintelm.) Hemsl. (1884), Pincenectia linifolia K.Koch & Fintelm. (1859), Pincenectia recurvata K.Koch & Fintelm. (1859), Pincenectia tuberculata K.Koch & Fintelm. (1859)
Beaucarnea recurvata Lem. is the accepted scientific name for the Ponytail Palm. The genus and species were both first named and described as such by (Antoine) Charles Lemaire in Illustration Horticole in 1861.
As of 11-15-22 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew still lists 13 species in the Beaucarnea genus. It is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae with 120 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) at 11″ tall on 12-18-09, #54-34.
Suzanne bought three Ponytail Palms from Lowe’s before she passed away in March 2009. Two were similar and one was a dwarf. These plants can actually grow to 20′ tall if planted in the ground where they don’t have to be in a pot. They are hardy in USDA Zones 9a-11.
<<<<2010>>>>
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) on 5-10-10, #55-42.
They will lose their lower leaves with age and the tips of their leaves can turn brown. Just give them a trimming once in a while (although some websites say not to do that to retain its original shape-OUCH!). They form a nice bulbous trunk with just adds to their uniqueness.
<<<<2011>>>>
Largest of the three Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) at 41″ tall on 8-1-11, #68-32.
They are a native of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí in eastern Mexico. Despite their common name, they are not closely related to true Palms and are not even in the same family. According to Wikipedia, there are 350-year-old plants registered in Mexico.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) #2 at 26″ tall on 9-22-11,
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosí in eastern Mexico
Zones: USDA Zones 9a-11 (20 to 40° F/-6.6 to 4.5° C)
Size: 6-8’ tall +
Light: Sun to part shade
Soil: Needs very well-draining soil.
Water: Allow soil to dry out between watering. Less in winter.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) #3, the dwarf, at only 12″ tall on 9-22-11, #80-18.
I grew my Ponytail Palms in Miracle Grow potting soil amended with a little extra organic matter. Soil should be well-draining and should dry out between watering. They need regular watering during the warmer months but much lead when grown inside during the winter.
<<<<2012>>>>
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) #3, the dwarf, at 20″ tall on 11-18-12, #129-7.
If you grow them as a potted plant, they prefer being outside during the warmer months. Information suggests they grow in full sun but need to be acclimated to it gradually after being inside.
<<<<2013>>>>
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) #1 on 2-17-13, #139-15.
As they get older they start losing their lower leaves.
<<<<NOW IN MISSOURI>>>
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) with a web in the center on 8-23-13, 178-25.
I gave the two larger Ponytail Palms to a friend after I sold the mansion and moved back to the family farm in mid-Missouri in February 2013. I brought the dwarf with me and it was the best-looking of the three.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) on 8-23-13, #178-26.
I really liked my Ponytail Palm companions and hated to give them up. I gave up the one I brought with me to Missouri in 2014, which won’t happen again. Someday I will buy another one for sure.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm) on 10-7-13, #193-27.
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