Are Ponytail Palms Outdoor Plants?

If you live in a very warm climate like that found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, growing ponytail palm outdoors is entirely feasible. They can grow to 30 feet (9 m.) tall, but rarely do as houseplants.

Is ponytail palm indoor or outdoor plant?

indoor
Ponytail palms are a unique-looking, long-lived indoor plant that thrives on benign neglect. They are very easy to grow, provided you don’t overwater them!

How do you take care of a ponytail palm outside?

5 Tips to Grow Ponytail Palm Outdoors

1. Water it thoroughly, wait for the soil to dry between watering turns.
2. Keep it in a bright and sunny area.
3. Fertilize it once a year with a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer.
4. Prevent pests and diseases by applying neem oil or an insecticidal soap on the leaves.
5. Prune the browning leaves.

Where do you put a ponytail palm outside?

Care: Ponytails growing outdoors like full sun, good drainage and fertile soil. Potted indoor specimens need high light levels and a warm position. Water well during summer but sparingly during winter, otherwise the trunk may rot.

What temperature can a ponytail palm tolerate?

What is the temperature tolerance of a ponytail palm? The perfect temperature for a ponytail palm to thrive ranges from about 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is tolerant to higher temperatures provided that it is watered often, but it doesn’t enjoy temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can a ponytail palm live outside in the winter?

Temperature: Ponytail Palms are native to a dry Mexican climate; this habitat allows it to survive outdoors in dry hot summers as well as giving it the ability to withstand interior winter heat very well, once the temperature goes below 55 degrees.

What is the lifespan of a ponytail palm?

Your ponytail palm will likely live for several decades, and it’s possible that it can even outlive you—these plants have been known to live past 100 years.

Should I cut the brown tips off of my ponytail palm?

My Ponytail Palm has brown tips! This is often a result of over or underwatering. Too much water can cause brown tips with distinct yellowing, while not enough water turns the leaves brown and crispy. Prune the leaves with a clean pair of sheers and check the soil before adjusting watering as needed.

How can I keep my palms alive outside?

Palm trees generally grow in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. Water newly planted trees deeply twice a week until they are established (2 to 3 months). Palm trees are drought tolerant once they are established and rarely need watered. A good quality slow release fertilizer should be applied in early spring.

How big will a ponytail palm get?

30 feet tall
Succulent by Nature
When growing in its native environment in Central America, ponytail palm full-grown can reach 30 feet tall but remains much shorter in containers. In fact, you can limit its growth by planting it in a small container and not repotting it to a large container.

What happens if you cut the top off a ponytail palm?

Ponytail Palm Pruning
Cutting back ponytail palm is not an effective method of maintenance in that it would leave an open trunk and no greenery. The action would expose the stem to mold and mildew and it would likely rot before it could ever start producing any more leaves or offsets.

Will a ponytail palm come back after a freeze?

Watch for signs of recovery and new growth. Don’t be alarmed if new leaves are distorted in the first year after frost damage. Keep the ponytail palm well watered as it goes into the following winter to give it the best chance of survival.

How often should I water my ponytail palm in winter?

In the winter, when your Ponytail Palm is dormant, you won’t have to water your houseplant as often as you did in the spring and summer. During this dormancy period (fall and winter), you will only have to water your plant once per month on average. Before you water your plant, make sure the soil has dried out.

Can a ponytail palm handle direct sunlight?

Ponytail palms prefer full sun or bright, indirect light, with ideal temperatures above 45° F (7° C) at night. Although full sun is best, this forgiving plant can tolerate lower light and will just grow more slowly.

What do I do with my palm trees in the winter?

Palm Trees

1. Pull up the fronds and tie them back.
2. Wrap a heat tape (they can be purchased at any building supply store) around the trunk- starting from the base of the plants – leaving the thermostat out at the bottom of the trunk.
3. Wrap the trunk with 3 to 4 layers of burlap making sure to tie it back with duct tape.

How cold is too cold for palm trees?

Some types of palms can tolerate cold temperatures down to 10 – 15F for a short period of time, while others gets damaged when the temperatures drop below 45F. Cold tolerance of the palm also depends on summer care, plant age, and time of establishment.

Can I put my ponytail palm outside in the summer?

For this reason, it’s possible to keep this hardy succulent as a houseplant in almost any climate. If you cannot keep your Ponytail Palm outside year-round, you can keep it outdoors during the summer and indoors during the winter. Additionally, this hardy succulent is a great choice as a bonsai.

Should you water a ponytail palm from the bottom?

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Do you water ponytail palm from the top or bottom?

Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil? If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Ponytail Palm lightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.

What does an overwatered ponytail palm look like?

Tip. The signs of over-watering a ponytail palm include yellowing leaves, leaves falling off and root rot. Ponytail palms are able to store water in their trunk and do not need to be watered every day.

Can an indoor palm be planted outside?

Palm plants can live for many years when they’re cared for properly, and some palm varieties can grow into huge palm trees in containers indoors. You can even move your palm plant outside (in a shady spot) during the summer to give it a boost if you want.