PlantFiles: Beargrass, Bottle Palm, Estrellas
Beaucarnea stricta

My (pictured) ponytail palm is about 20 years old. It was in several containers for about 10 years before I finally planted it. We put in a different pool and I had, what I felt was an ideal spot, so I moved it to the pool area. It's been in it's current location about 4 years and is doing well. Although it's 20 years old, it has never flowered. It's a "no brainer" as far is care goes. Plant it and forget it. Just be sure to leave about 1/3 of it's bulb out of the ground when replanting or repotting them. Poolside in zone 10, it's ideal since it doesn't drop leaves. My plant shown is about 7' tall.

I live in the high desert of So. California and have just recently purchased several Ponytails. One is about 5 feet tall and the others are much smaller. I would like to plant them poolside this spring but am having trouble finding good references to soil mixture and ammendment. I am also looking for the same info on various palms like Sago, Cat, and Dates. Any tips?

I have had two ponytail palms for over 10 years and one for about 5 years. Recently, I have discovered scale on the leaves. I have scraped and sprayed with an all purpose spray. It is better, but not gone. Any comments?

I have had my ponytail plant for over 15 years. It just bloomed this year and the bloom is about 4 feet high.

I have kept this plant in a container for six years. It finally bloomed this year. The spikes are 12"-18" long with little white clusters of flowers running the complete length.

Plant does well in tropical,subtropical semi desert regions. Grows wild in central america and far southeastern mexico in the semi desert areas. Perfers dry and rather cool conditions in winter, moderately warm fall and spring and hot in summer. also, water thoroughly in the summer, and sparingly in the winter. Does not need too much fertilizer, but young plants can take a weak soloution each time watering is nessessary. Will grow much faster in the landscape than in a pot.

This species is a not nearly as popular in nurseries as its cousin, N recurvata, but still is a very ornamental plant with an equally curious, massive base to its stem. The primary difference is in the leaves- completely straight instead of curving/ drooping, and usually branches less than N recurvata. The blooms are similar. Both eventually develop massive bases up to 15' or more in diameter, though it seems N recurvata is a larger plant in the base.