Beaucarnea recurvata (Pony Tail Palm, Bottle Palm, Elephant’s Foot Tree, Ponytail Plant, Nolina Palm, Elephant Palm, Big Base Palm, Desert Pony Tail Palm, Nolina, Nolina Sole, Ponytail Nolina)

Botanical Information

FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusBeaucarnea
Speciesrecurvata
SynonymsBeaucarnea inermis, Beaucarnea tuberculata, Dasylirion inerme, Dasylirion recurvatum, Nolina recurvata
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginUnited States of America, Mexico and Central America.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-10 - 10
Temperature (°F)14 - 50
Height1.8 - 2.4 m
Spread0.9 - 1.5 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMarch, April, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThick-barked evergreen.
ID CharacteristicExpanded caudex, for the purpose of storing water. This plant is able to store a year-long water supply in its bulbous trunk.
ShapeBushy.
LandscapeContainer or patio plants.
PropagationBy seed.
CultivationBest grown in sandy soils with sharp drainage in full sun. Plants should be given regular water but allowed to dry out between waterings.
PestsSpider mites and mealy bugs. Roots will rot in wet soils.
Notable SpecimensDesert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatSemi-desert areas of the United States of America, Mexico and Central America.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves grow up to 2 m long and are stiletto-shaped, growing in a rosette at the top of the plant.
Flower DescriptionClusters of small, insignificant flowers are borne on short stalks, through they are unlikely to appear on indoor plants.
Colour DescriptionBark ranges from greyish brown. Leaves are green. Flowers are white.
Texture DescriptionBark has wrinkled texture. Leaves are leathery.

Photographs