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True, an elephant’s foot can linger as a houseplant for decades. But the long-lasting plant should not lack proper care. Find out all about ponytail palm care.
The Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), which is also called elephant’s foot, has a thick, juicy stem that stores food and water. That is how it gets through bad times in its native Mexico. This self-sufficiency makes it the ideal beginner plant. Unfortunately, this self-sufficiency is not taken very seriously by many an overprotective plant guardian. That’s because adding a little water here and fertilizer there won’t help your protégé; in fact, it might hurt it. Follow these steps to keep the plant’s leaves from turning brown and make sure the plant shines in bright green.
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a popular and relatively low-maintenance houseplant Its long, strap-like leaves fountain out from a swollen base, resembling a ponytail. But if your ponytail palm loses some of its characteristic leaves, you probably want to know – will they grow back?
The good news is that yes ponytail palms can regrow lost foliage. With proper care, the plant will produce new leaves in time. Understanding why leaves yellowed or dropped in the first place is key to preventing future leaf loss.
Why Do Ponytail Palm Leaves Fall Off?
There are several common reasons for a ponytail palm dropping leaves:
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Underwatering – Dry soil and insufficient water leads to leaf yellowing and drop. The swollen base stores water, so intervals between waterings can be long. But neglecting to water at all for weeks or months will cause leaf loss.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture results in root rot. This damages the roots so they cannot take up water, ironically causing symptoms of underwatering. Soggy soil also encourages fungal or bacterial leaf spot diseases.
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Sunburn – Too much direct sun scorches the leaves, turning them brown or black before they fall off.
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Low humidity – Dry indoor air causes the leaf tips to turn brown and shrivel up.
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Pests – Insects like spider mites suck nutrients from the foliage, eventually causing leaf drop.
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Shock – Significant changes in environment like moving locations, repotting, or temperature swings can shock the plant into dropping leaves.
In most cases, you can revive a ponytail palm by identifying and correcting the underlying problem, whether it’s watering, sunlight, pests, or other cultural issues. As long as the main trunk remains healthy, it will generate new leaves over time.
How to Encourage New Growth
A ponytail palm that has lost some of its foliage needs a little TLC to stimulate new leaves. Here are some tips:
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Water properly – Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Then soak the pot completely until water drains from the bottom. The plant stores water in its base so drought tolerance is high, but don’t let it completely dry out.
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Provide bright light – Place the plant near an east, south, or west window where it will get lots of indirect sunlight. Some direct morning sun is tolerated if introduced gradually.
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Increase humidity – Mist the leaves regularly and use a pebble tray or humidifier to keep humidity above 50%.
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Fertilize lightly – In spring and summer, use a balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength every month or so. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Remove dead leaves – Prune off any fully yellow, brown, or shriveled foliage to focus the plant’s energy on new growth.
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Repot if necessary – If roots are crowded or diseased, repot in fresh potting mix. This stimulates root regeneration and new leaves.
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Inspect for pests – Treat any spider mites, scale, or mealybugs with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
With time and optimal care, you will see young green leaves emerging from the truck and growing into the signature long, arching leaves. It may take weeks or months depending on the extent of leaf loss and overall health. But ponytail palms are resilient plants when given the right conditions.
Here are some additional tips for reviving a ponytail palm:
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Remove only damaged leaves and avoid pruning off green healthy ones which fuels growth.
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Keep the plant away from cold drafts which can shock it. Gradually move to brighter locations.
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Consider using a rooting hormone on the cut edge after trimming leaves to stimulate new buds.
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Mist the trunk daily with water to provide humidity. Keep the base dry to avoid rot.
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Avoid repotting during the recovery period as it adds stress. Wait a few months until stabilized.
How to Prevent Future Leaf Drop
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to ponytail palm leaf loss. Here are some measures you can take to maintain lush, full foliage:
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Select a bright location for the plant but avoid hot, direct midday sun which burns leaves.
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Allow the potting mix to partly dry out between waterings; the base will feel firm when moisture is needed.
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Provide humidity through pebble trays or regular misting to prevent leaf tip dieback.
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Only use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength during the active growing period.
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Repot before the roots completely fill the container to allow adequate moisture and nutrients.
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Inspect regularly for pests like spider mites which can infest the undersides of leaves.
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Keep the ponytail palm away from cold drafts, heating vents, and other temperature fluctuations.
By addressing potential issues before they escalate, you can maintain lush, full foliage. Some leaf loss is normal as the lower leaves age and drop off gradually. But following proper ponytail palm care guidelines will keep damage and leaf drop to a minimum.
Watering ponytail palm
When caring for a ponytail palm, it is rarely necessary to reach for the watering can. The general rule is:
- Water as soon as the soil dries out completely
- Water thoroughly
In winter, watering is necessary only if the sapling is in a heated room. Watering more frequently in smaller amounts increases the risk of waterlogging and therefore rot. By the way, hard water is no problem for the elephant’s foot plant.
Elephant’s foot only needs a moderate amount of nutrients because it stores them internally, so less is more when it comes to fertilization. Fertilise the ponytail palm as follows:
- Growth phase: Every four weeks
- Fertiliser: cactus fertiliser or green plant fertiliser (half dose)
- Fertilise no sooner than eight weeks after repotting
- Perfect for a wide variety of houseplants & foliage plants
- Liquid fertiliser for robust plants & healthy growth
- Quick & easy application – child & pet friendly
Ponytail palm care: the most important basics
The small tree inside grows slowly and can store both water and food, so it doesn’t need much care as long as it’s in the right spot:
- Location: Warm and bright; no midday sun or draughts
- Window seat: occasionally turn the pot a quarter
The twists make the trunk grow nice and straight. The ponytail palm likes being outside in the summer, where it is cool and dry. It’s not a couch potato plant. However, at the beginning you need to acclimatise the plant slowly over two weeks. With each move, the sapling is placed in a brighter and brighter area so it can get used to direct sunlight.
Ponytail Palm Leaves Turning Brown – Care Tips
FAQ
How to revive a Ponytail Palm with no leaves?
Do ponytail palms grow new leaves?
Should you remove dead leaves from a Ponytail Palm?
What happens if you cut off a Ponytail Palm?
Do ponytail palms have leaf problems?
Ponytail palms are a unique and low-maintenance plant, but like any other plant, they can experience leaf issues. Two common problems are overwatering and underwatering. Overwatering is a frequent issue with ponytail palms, as they are native to dry regions and can tolerate drought conditions.
How do ponytail palms grow?
Once it calluses, the plant will send out a shoot and eventually leaves to form another cap of foliage. Growers often create two- and three-headed plants in this manner, for larger ponytail palms with extra interest. The suckers are also known by the cuter name — pups. These grow at the base of the thick trunk snuggled up to the parent plant.
Can ponytail palms survive winter?
Being a desert-dwelling plant, winters can be harsh for these plants. If you have a favorite ponytail palm resting on your porch, you should bring it in on cold nights to prevent frost damage as much as possible. The temperature outdoors must remain above 20 degrees Fahrenheit; anything less than this usually spells death for your plant.
Can you cut back ponytail palm?
Ponytail palm is a single-stemmed plant, which means that if you want to prune any base or woody material, you would literally be removing the trunk. Cutting back ponytail palm is not an effective method of maintenance in that it would leave an open trunk and no greenery.
How long do ponytail palms live?
Ponytail palms are perennials that can live decades or longer if properly cared for, so with some TLC, these tips will help you get your plant back as quickly as possible! Overwatering is not the only cause for root rot. Root rot and stem rot are among the most common problems in this plant.
Are ponytail palms healthy?
Ponytail palms are a popular choice for plant enthusiasts due to their unique appearance and low maintenance requirements. However, like any plant, they can experience leaf issues that can negatively impact their overall health and appearance.