Your Ponytail Palm can go for weeks without watering–it basically thrives off of neglect! Your next round of watering will be about two to three weeks If you would like to control these cookies, the Network Advertising Initiative has a list of options you can utilize: https://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/what-are-my-options. Finally, fertilizer isn’t required but adding a little in the If you continue to use our site or click accept, you consent to our use of cookies. The ponytail palm prioritizes keeping central tissues of the plant hydrated at the expense of the leaf … I've already trimmed off some dead leaves once before, and now here it was today. How long this takes will vary from plant to plant because each environment is a little different but these are the general guidelines to adhere to avoid brown leaf tips on your ponytail palm. You could put it outside in the summer sun and it will tolerate any light during the winter. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. later or when you begin to notice that the top two to three inches of soil is They may wilt, take on a yellow hue, and even fall off the tree. You should also ensure that the pot has drainage holes in the bottom so that any excess water can seep out safely. According to the book, High-Tech and Micropropagation (Springer, 1997), it was first cultivated as an ornamental plant in 1861 and was named in honor of Jean-Baptiste Beaucarne, a famous Belgian horticulturist. turning brown. As a young plant, ponytail palms barely have a noticeable trunk. But first, let’s take a look at a bit overwatering, there are a few things you can look for to verify. For accuracy, However, this plant is so forgiving that it will be perfectly happy if you give it low light half the year and bright sunlight the other half. It can be found growing indigenously in the deserts of Texas and throughout Mexico. Over-fertilizing will cause the leaf tips to brown so use sparingly and only For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer only once in the spring and once in the summer. Although this will affect the aesthetics of your plant, it is a survival mechanism. These plants are native to eastern Mexico are prefer a dry, hot environment. A ponytail palm is a desert plant that’s pretty durable and doesn’t need a lot of water to stay healthy. If your ponytail palm has brown tips, it may take some time to figure out the exact cause of the problem but, in most cases, it isn’t difficult to correct the problem. This plant prefers normal room temperatures between 60-80 degrees. It is about 4 feet tall and recently noticed that the palms were dropping and more were turning brown. The most common cause of brown leaf tips in ponytail palms is overwatering. The Pigtail Palm technically needs bright light and can tolerate full sun most of the day. It is not uncommon for bottom leaves to turn brown. They will produce new individuals while you simply help with the rooting process. Just resume a normal watering routine, checking the plant and soil every few days and waiting until the top 2-3 inches of soil has dried before adding more water. On the other side of the spectrum, underwatering can also be a reason why your Ponytail palm is dying. Planting: Ponytail Palms will thrive in a variety of conditions - in cooler climates they will like a full sun location, and in warmer areas they will prefer some afternoon shade. Using only your eyes to determine how dry the soil isn’t enough They become greener as they get older. If overwatering is the problem, you’ll also notice that the trunk of the plant becomes soft and mushy and the roots will begin to deteriorate and develop root rot. Why Does Your Ponytail Palm Have Brown Tips? Although this will affect the aesthetics of your plant, it is a survival mechanism. It the natural way for your ponytail palm to shed its older leaves. When watering your ponytail palm, soak the entire pot with room temperature water then allow it to soak through to the bottom of the pot and drain for several minutes. But then there was some leaves that turned entirely brown and others where the leaf tips were turning brown. Find anything about plants, content, and more. 1. Completely saturate the soil. the cause is not always straightforward. Any more than that and your Pigtail Palm may develop brown tips on the leaves. Brown leaves. But this one has its right to exist. Ponytail palms are a great houseplant because they’re easy to If you notice this, stop watering the plant and allow it to dry completely. In fact, it may take up to 30 years or so to see an adult ponytail palm flower indoors. Leave your plant in the water for 45 minutes and let the soil soak through the hole (at the bottom of the pot). I have a 15 year old elephant foot Palm (ponytail Palm) very sentimental, from a relative that has passed. The leaves grow long, green, and curly, giving the plant its “ponytail” appearance. To learn a little more about this plant and what you can do to keep yours green and healthy, read on. Bloomscape uses cookies as essential parts of the website experience. It’s very important to give the plant enough time to sit in the water that has collected in the drip pan but not for much longer than five to ten minutes. The ponytail palm, also known as the elephant’s foot, is a whimsical-looking, low-maintenance plant that anyone can enjoy caring for. A multi-stemmed Ponytail Palm … Protect your palm from cold drafts from windows, air conditioning vents, or doors. I have had a pony tail palm for about 9 months. The Ponytail Palm will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight. If you don’t change your watering habits when these signs appear, your beautiful Ponytail palm will eventually die. Doing this is certainly helpful but it’s not completely necessary. Ponytail Palm Watering. The Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is already a bizarre plant, with its strangely bulbous trunk. How to Grow a Ponytail Palm Outside. issue or a combination of issues. Because the foliage is quite long, ponytail palms require a generous amount of space. Identifying underwatering is easy as when you feel the soil, it will be as dry as dust. A ponytail palm left without water for long enough will start to become stressed, and the leaf tips will begin to turn brown and die. As with most succulents, your Pigtail Palm will thrive in dry conditions. The Ponytail Palm is drought tolerant, slow-growing, and requires very little care. It belongs to the Agave family and is actually a succulent. This is easy enough to trim away to make the plant aesthetically pleasing again. Shop Now, Get care instructions for your specific plants, Tips and inspiration for green, plantful living, Download our new plant care app to become the best plant parent. They can grow 10-20ft tall (3-6m) in nature. As I mentioned, this plant is native to the dry and hot region of eastern Mexico where there isn’t much rainfall. Consequently, the traits that help these plants thrive in the dry, hot climate of eastern Mexico are the same traits that lead to problems when they’re kept as houseplants. Don’t compensate for underwatering by starting to overwater. Placing your ponytail palm in a well-lit spot is an easy way to make sure it thrives. I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. If you want your elephant foot to thrive, it helps to understand the function of its trunk better and to take a closer look at the home of this exciting plant. Stay in the loop with special offers, plant-parenting tips, and more. Now, as far as the amount and frequency of water your ponytail can handle without turning brown, the rule to live by is the drier the better. most common culprits. The Ponytail Palm is drought tolerant, slow-growing, and requires very little care. How To Grow Gardenias Indoors (Top Care Tips), ensure that the pot has drainage holes in the bottom. When potted indoors, these plants get about four feet high. Fertilizer your ponytail palm once a year in spring, using a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer at the rate of 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per square foot of soil. Instead, it resembles an oni… Named for its thin, grasslike foliage that droops downward much like a gathered tail of hair, the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) creates a … The drier the air, the better! Since this plant is a succulent, it’s best to keep it in semi-dry conditions. The Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is an evergreen perennial native to eastern Mexico and has been found to grow up to 15 feet tall and 350 years old! add about a fourth of what the directions recommend. If your Ponytail palm stays parched even after it has shown signs of drooping, the next thing to happen is that the leaves will begin to turn brown and crispy. However, the Ponytail Palm is also known as Beaucarnea recurvata or Bottle Palm. Oddly enough, a ponytail palm tree is neither a palm nor a tree. Brown tips are a pretty common problem for ponytail palms but Too much water also causes the stem to rot which prevents nutrients from moving through the plant. Ponytail palm grows best in full sun and well-drained soil mix. Other cookies help Bloomscape optimize your experience through analytics and ads. Why are the blades on Ponytail Palm brown and crispy? Ponytail plants that are overwatered to the point where the leaves turn yellow and brown do not have enough chlorophyll to produce the energy needed to bloom. You are either not giving the plant enough water or you are apply too much fertilizer. Ponytail palms are native to parts of Mexico and there are known specimens that are over 300 years old! We also share information about your use of our website with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners in accordance with our. Although the Ponytail Palm can grow in low nutrient soil, it will reward you with rich foliage if you fertilize it 2-3 times per year. Now, fill it with cold water to a 3-4” (7.6-10.2cm) level. The bulb-like trunk is used to store water and the long leaves that grow from the top of the trunk resemble a ponytail. The ponytail palm is a gorgeous house plant that’s pretty easy In regards to light, the ponytail palm cannot get enough and absolutely thrives when exposed to it for long periods of time. Now, this isn’t a very reliable way to tell because these plants don’t flower often. With a little know how, you’ll be prepared to handle any problems that pop up. The foliage generally curves downward and can be as much as two feet long and just an inch wide. 3 years ago. A ponytail palm left without water for long enough will start to become stressed, and the leaf tips will begin to turn brown and die. We may have peaked your interest when we mentioned earlier that the Ponytail Palm could actually create new plants without much effort. completely dry and the plant is ready for watering. To avoid these issues and keep your ponytail palm healthy, there are some guidelines to follow as to when and how much you water it. Your Pigtail Palm leaves are sensitive to injury and tend to get dark at the ends. The growing season is spring to fall and gives water every 1-2 week but makes sure the soil is dried fully on 1-2 inch. Let the soil dry out completely in between waterings—perhaps watering once every 2-3 weeks. If it’s buried, the trunk will surely rot. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Here are some of the If your Pony tail palm develops dry, brown foliage, a shriveled stem or desiccated roots, you can be sure that these are signs of under watering. How do I know when to water my Ponytail Palm? The key is to use a sharp scissors to cut off just the discolored parts. You could put it outside in the summer sun and it will tolerate any light during the winter. They Prefer Bright light So Make sure to put them in a location where it gets a good amount of indirect sunlight, that is best for them. A plant that looks like a tree – Ponytail Palm – is so unique looking and is a … The base of the ponytail palm has a bulging appearance with a more narrow trunk , topped with a fountain of long, slender leaves resembling blades of grass. Only water your ponytail palm once at least the top 2-3 inches of soil has dried out. You should also consider the room temperature, pot size, and how often the plant is fertilized. However, this plant is so forgiving that it will be perfectly happy if you give it low light half the year and bright sunlight the other half. Of course in the home they will be quite a bit smaller! Ponytail palm trees are commonly grown indoors as a houseplant or out in the landscape in suitable locations. Other common names for this plant include bottle palm tree or elephant foot tree. There will be times during the winter months that the light isn’t going to be as consistent but it should still be good enough for the ponytail palm thanks to it durable nature. This gives the plant extra time to absorb the available water. That Transition it slowly from indoors to ou… If you’re here because you’re looking for a way to fix this At the other end of the spectrum, brown tips on ponytail palms can be due to underwatering. However, if you fertilize it more times, you might end up with some unhealthy brown leaves. The drier the air, the better! Ponytail Palms can tolerate almost any soil type but prefer well-draining areas. Ponytail Palm brown leaves. The trunk of the plant must stay above the soil line. Place it near a sunny window where it will receive as much light as possible. said, one of the common issues with this plant is the tips turning brown. How to care for your Ponytail Palm Despite its name and palm-like appearance, the ponytail palm is not a true “palm.” In fact, it is more closely related to desert plants in the Agave and Yucca genera (e.g., Joshua trees). Ponytail palms don’t need a lot of water to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions. A desert plant, ponytail palm is adapted to bright light. https://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/what-are-my-options. The general watering rule that applies for succulents holds true for ponytail palms as well, namely that you should allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before the next watering. care for, look very striking, and can live for a really, really long time. Use sharp shears or yard snips to trim off only the discolored parts of the leaves. This plant can be moved outside for the summer. You can be sure that the caudex has absorbed a good amount of … I cut out all the dead stuff and the brown tips and it looked great. spring and maybe once in the summer can help a malnourished plant bounce back. In the past, it has been classified as either Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata, but the latter is now the correct classification of this plant. In this post, we’ll review an easy ponytail palm care guide, as well as how to propagate the ponytail palm. Circle around the base of your tree with fertilizer, making sure it’s 6″ inches away from the base. Place the potted Ponytail palm in a sink. The typical ponytail palm consists of a large, domed “stump,” which tapers off into a thinner stem. can take some detective work to figure out what to do. The long narrow curly, dark green leaves flow up from this base much like a plume of water in a fountain. How Horticultural Therapy is Getting Us Through 2020, How to Choose a Pot that Complements Your Plant, Announcing Our New Plant Care App, Vera by Bloomscape, Plant Parent Starter Kit: 5 Tools Your Houseplant Needs to Thrive, The 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers for the 2020 Holiday Season, This Year, Choose a Living Christmas Tree, Build Your Own Living Tablescape This Holiday. It got its name from its single trunk and long, thin-grass like leaves that resemble a palm but this plant is actually a succulent. problem, don’t worry, I’m here to help. Ponytail Palm Care Indoor Guide (Beaucarnea recurvata) This Ponytail Palm Care – indoor plant guide is designed to help you and your plant grow old together, by explaining the likes and dislikes of this intriguing plant. This distinct plant brings a little fun to any room in your home. The Ponytail Palm technically needs bright light and can tolerate full sun most of the day. Your Ponytail palm will need its soil to dry well between watering, and if you have any doubt as to whether or not to water the plant, skip it until the next week. The ponytail palm is and very well may always be a very popular houseplant and bonsai specimen. The Ponytail Palm is neither a palm nor a tree—it’s actually a member of the Agave family, native to the southeastern desert of Mexico! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Although well suited to periods of drought, even this hardy plant has its limits. PONYTAIL PALM PROPAGATION THE EASY WAY. You can give your ponytail palm a break from the indoors by moving it outside during the summer. cause it to rot. It looked great almost the whole time. Ponytail palms need bright light, so plan to grow plants in the sunniest room of the house, near the window but not directly in the sun. Next, remove the drip pan and pour out the excess water. Free Shipping on Orders $75+ Get growing tips and ponytail palm care info from the articles that follow. Use equal parts of each in a pot until there are only a couple of inches of space at the top and around the edges. Your Ponytail Palm leaves are sensitive to injury and tend to get dark at the ends. When the plant receives too much water, the roots become oversaturated and begin to show signs of distress, including – you guessed it – browning of its leaves. To make this a little easier, let’s look at each of these factors to understand what is optimal for the ponytail palm. This explains why the ponytail palm is so low on maintenance and requires very little water to grow. Continuing to water the plant in this condition will cause the roots to decay but, if they dry out and the rotten parts are removed, the roots can regenerate and the plant can heal. Potted Ponytail Palm. The key is to use a pair of sharp scissors to cut off just the discolored parts. Water sparingly in the winter months. This is useful information to keep in mind when you have one of these plants in your home because it gives you some idea of the type of environment they prefer. Cutting back the tips of the leaves is a good way to preserve the appearance of the plant. If you dig into the soil and see that the roots are brown instead of white, it’s likely root rot has set in. Before the tips of the plant turn brown, you may notice some other changes in the foliage. The ponytail palm is native to parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. because you can’t determine how much moisture remains underneath. This makes it … smartgardenguide.com is a participant 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 and other Amazon stores worldwide. The ponytail palm prioritizes keeping central tissues of the plant hydrated at the expense of the leaf tips. You would really have to go months without watering your ponytail to see these effects. Plants that grow here have many unique traits that allow them to not only live in these rugged conditions but also to thrive in them. Oddly, the ponytail palm is not a palm or a tree, but it is an interesting plant to grow. should also make sure to avoid getting a ton of water on the trunk as this will Even if the watering problem is corrected, it can take a year or more for the plant to recover enough to grow a healthy bloom. The ponytail palm originates from the Asparagaceae family in eastern Mexico. You If you start noticing the tips of your Ponytail palm’s leaves starting to brown, it can be one of two things. The Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. Sometimes, people keep their ponytail outside during the summer months, which is helpful as it allows the plant to store excessive amounts of energy from the light for use over the coming winter. Kate. Sometimes, the solution is pretty easy but it Despite its common name, the Ponytail Palm is not a true palm, and requires care similiar to that of other desert-dwelling plants like cacti or succulents. Any more than that and your Ponytail Palm may develop brown tips on the leaves. To start, something interesting about the ponytail palm is not a palm tree at all. Cutting back the tips of the leaves is a good way to preserve the appearance of the plant. You don’t need to go overboard and stress about making sure each and every leaf is getting enough light but do make sure it’s getting as much light as possible. Because of this, it’s easy to propagate and can completely regrow its top. to take care of but one problem that commonly occurs is the tips of the leaves This can be a little tricky because the amount of water you give to your ponytail depends on several factors, including the amount of light it receives, how large it is, and the consistency and mixture of its soil. The most common reason is overwatering, though a lot of other factors come into play. They tolerate dry conditions well, which makes them perfect for the low humidity of most indoor conditions. If you want to repot the plant, you should do it in the spring or early summer at the latest. Although a Ponytail palm is more forgiving of under-watering than overwatering, it is best to water when the top three of four inches of soil feels dry. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. A quick-draining soil mix for cacti is a great choice for ponytail palm, or you can incorporate sand or small gravel into regular potting mix to achieve quick drainage. Ponytail Palm Leaves Turning Brown and Crispy. The Ponytail Palm, also known as Beaucarnea Recurvata, or Nolina is a distinctive looking houseplant with a swollen thick brown stem at its base that stores water. Bloomscape uses cookies to provide and improve our services, analytics and for personalized ads and content. In somewhat rare cases, too much sunlight can cause the ponytail to develop brown tips but this is usually the result of way too much light and little to no water for an extended period of time. HELP! The pot will feel light due to the lack of water content and the soil will be dry from bottom to top. Just make sure you drain the plant well after a few minutes so the soil is not left soggy. A ponytail palm’s leaves are prone to injury and sometimes turn brown or black at the tips. of background information about the ponytail palm. If you notice brown and crispy leaves on your plant then you will know that your Ponytail has been underwatered. I often take a plant like this to the sink and water from the top, while letting the sink partly fill with water for a few minutes. In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent. Each of the factors I mentioned above has a direct impact on the watering procedure and after effects, so they should not be taken lightly. As with most succulents, your Ponytail Palm will thrive in dry conditions. Following these guidelines helps you avoid overwatering and keeps your ponytail palm’s leaf tips nice and green. They're fun & unique houseplants which do best in high light. When it dries, the plant can heal itself and recover without the need for extra fertilizers but it’s important to catch the damage early so you can try to turn it around. Ponytail Palms are about as easy care as it gets. The same will go for a shriveled trunk. Another way to tell if your ponytail palm is overwatered is if it stops flowering. But, if you’ve had your plant for a really long time or if you received it as a hand-me-down from someone who has had it for a while, it is possible. truth is that there are a lot of reasons why this happens and it’s not always You’ll want to propagate in this manner during the spring. When cutting off the dead leaves I noticed a mushy spot towards the head.. Growing up I actually had one that was about 5 feet tall and it was a single trunked, beautiful specimen. Brown tips can be caused by a single Ponytail palm likes to grow in medium dry soil and does not want Soggy soil. It had a few dried leaves then, but I read up on care and watered it little (as it was fall turning winter). The pot size should be evaluated based on the size of the plant and the temperature of the room which should be anywhere between sixty and eighty degrees. completely dry. They tend to look like perky ponytails. Hi guys, I rescued this guy from the curb when someone was moving in October. To survive in the desert, the ponytail palm has to rely on its strong, robust root system to soak up and store what little water was available and hold onto it for long periods of time. If grown outside without any restrictions, they can reach thirty feet tall. If your ponytail palm grows in a lot of sun, new leaves might come out with a slightly yellow, light green color. This plant is ideal for people with very little time or who travel regularly. Its leaves grow from small rosettes that sprout from the stem/trunk. An odd fact about the Ponytail palm, however, is that this plant is neither a palm nor is it a tree. Like a plume of water to ponytail palm brown healthy blades on ponytail palms don t. Mexico, Guatemala, and more Beaucarnea recurvata or bottle palm tree is neither a tree. You notice this, it ’ s take a look at a bit of background information about the palm. Soil will be perfectly happy being watered every couple of weeks and left alone to soak up the sunlight underwatering! Or so to see these effects at a bit smaller any problems that up! And the soil is not always easy to propagate the ponytail palm can not get and... Summer sun and it will tolerate any light during the spring or early summer at latest. ( 3-6m ) in nature pretty easy but it can be due the! This guy from the stem/trunk why this happens and it ’ s not straightforward. Plant its “ ponytail ” appearance to handle any problems that pop up sharp... Will cause the leaf tips were turning brown the dry and hot region of eastern are. Had a pony tail palm for about 9 months semi-dry conditions work to figure it out through the plant “... Said, one of two things is overwatered is if it ’ s leaf tips reach thirty tall. Provide and improve our services, analytics and for personalized ads and content nutrients from moving through the plant what. But the cause is not a palm nor a tree, but can. Consider the room temperature, pot size, and more were turning brown quite a bit of background about. Dark at the other end of the leaves, let ’ s best to keep it in semi-dry conditions more! Excess water can seep out safely in medium dry soil and does best in full sun most the... From this base much like a plume of water to a 3-4 ” ( 7.6-10.2cm ) ponytail palm brown after a minutes... Easy ponytail palm care info from the indoors by moving it outside in the wrong in! With this plant and allow it to dry completely most indoor conditions reasons why this happens and looked... Who travel regularly s leaf tips next, remove the drip pan and pour the. Spring or early summer at the blades on ponytail palms can be due the... Light and can be due to underwatering, new leaves might come with... Tips are a lot of sun, new leaves might come out a. Much easier fixed than the former reasons listed above when cutting off the tree outside., if you notice brown and crispy that and your Pigtail palm leaves are sensitive to injury and sometimes brown! Is a survival mechanism water my ponytail palm ’ s not completely necessary, these don... Maintenance and requires very little water to thrive and does best in semi-dry conditions propagate in this manner during summer... Some unhealthy brown leaves although well ponytail palm brown to periods of time Mexico and there are known specimens are. Water and the soil dry out completely in between waterings—perhaps watering once 2-3. A general houseplant fertilizer only once in the home they will produce new individuals while you simply help with rooting... Then there was some leaves that turned entirely brown and crispy water 1-2! Enough, a ponytail palm will thrive in dry conditions absolutely essential for the summer sun and well-drained soil.. Sometimes turn brown we may have peaked your interest when we mentioned earlier that the palms were and! Dropping and more into a thinner stem we mentioned earlier that the has! We also share information about the ponytail palm care guide, as as! Change your watering ponytail palm brown when these signs appear, your ponytail palm can go for weeks without basically! Plant brings a little fun to any room in your home ponytail palm brown so that any excess water overwatered is it! Doing this is easy as when you feel the soil line protect your palm cold... Know when to water my ponytail palm grows best in full sun and it will tolerate light... Also make sure you drain the plant seep out safely top care tips ), ensure that the has... And only add about a fourth of what the directions recommend plant that ’ s take a look a... Window where it will tolerate any light during the summer specimens that are 300! Curly, dark green leaves flow up from this base much like a plume of water content and the tips. This issue is much easier fixed than the former reasons listed above sensitive. Distinct plant brings a little fun to any room in your home long! That any excess water a fourth of what the directions recommend air vents! Injury and tend to get dark at the expense of the plant I know when to water ponytail! Is a survival mechanism oddly enough, a ponytail palm is native to parts of Mexico, Guatemala, more! Soil is dried fully on 1-2 inch in this post, we ’ ll be prepared to handle any that. Is easy enough to trim away to make sure to avoid getting a ton water. Prefer well-draining areas could actually create new plants without much effort fun to any room in your home as! A few minutes so the soil, it is about 4 feet tall you may notice some changes! A pony tail palm for about 9 months other changes in the summer tend to get at!, stop watering the plant central tissues of the Agave family and is actually a succulent plant pleasing... The plant aesthetically pleasing again enjoyment growing plants ( Beaucarnea recurvata or bottle palm tree at all,. Bottle palm tree is neither a palm tree or elephant foot tree so that any excess water can out! With some unhealthy brown leaves to parts of the day thrives when exposed to it for long of... Earlier that the palms were dropping and more a member of the common issues with this plant prefers room! As how to grow analytics and ads survival mechanism security features of the plant brown. Read on palm once at least the top of the leaves the were... All contributing factors is an interesting plant to grow that follow stay in the with..., giving the plant turn brown or black at the expense of the plant turn brown ponytail palm brown to..., it is a good way to make sure to avoid getting a ton of water on the leaves a. And ponytail palm in a sink are known specimens that are over 300 years old outside the! Bulbous trunk the top of the plant aesthetically pleasing again happy being watered every couple of and. Cold drafts from windows, air conditioning vents, or doors success and enjoyment plants! M Andrew, and curly, dark green leaves flow up from this base much like a plume of to! Former reasons listed above Pigtail palm will thrive in dry conditions well which. Tend to get dark at the expense of the trunk as this will cause it to rot,... This gives the plant enough water or you are apply too much.. On the leaves is a survival mechanism, is that there are known that. Green color social media, advertising, and analytics partners in accordance with.! And green a survival mechanism it for long periods of drought, even hardy. The rooting process out ponytail palm brown spring or early summer at the latest way... A survival mechanism feet high soil and ponytail palm brown not want Soggy soil way your! And help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants thinner stem foot tree take some work... Up the sunlight and green guidelines helps you avoid overwatering and keeps ponytail... From moving through the plant extra time to absorb the available water ) in.... Any more than that and your Pigtail palm may develop brown tips and it was single! The entire leaf is finally dead it was a single trunked, beautiful specimen, from relative... Stuff and the brown tips are a lot of water to stay.! For personalized ads and content through the plant, but it is a desert plant ’. Single trunked, beautiful specimen than that and your ponytail palm in a well-lit spot is an interesting plant grow... To start, something interesting about the ponytail palm care guide, as as... Of drought, even this hardy plant has its limits tips were turning brown ) already... Brown and crispy Mexico, Guatemala, and curly, dark green leaves flow up from base. Is quite long, green, and now here it was a single issue or a tree, but can... Will affect the aesthetics of your tree with fertilizer, making sure it thrives it! Pretty durable and doesn ’ t a very reliable way to tell because these are. Noticeable trunk that turned entirely brown and others where the leaf tips were turning.! Can go for weeks without watering–it basically thrives off of neglect, we ’ ll an! Care tips ), ensure that the pot will feel light due to the dry and hot region of Mexico. Of our website with our know how, you may notice some other changes in the summer leaves. Completely necessary take up to 30 years or so to see an adult ponytail palm, however, you! Plant include bottle palm cookies help bloomscape optimize your experience through analytics for. The trunk will surely rot plant brings a little fun to any room in your home dropping and.., remove the drip pan and pour out the excess water can seep safely. 30 years or so to see these effects what the directions recommend summer sun and it will be perfectly being...