The ponytail decoration is a unique houseplant roll in the hay for its bulbous base and long , cascade leaves . With its dull growth wont , this succulent plant can deal stick around in the same pot for years . But does ponytail palm actually like being root bound ?
Overview of Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm ( Beaucarnea recurvata ) is aboriginal to waterless neighborhood of Mexico and Guatemala . It ’s not a genuine palm but a succulent in the Asparagaceae family . The swollen base stores piddle helping it survive drouth . narrow-minded leaves sprout from the top in a ponytail form .
This low - maintenance plant grows tardily , often only a few inches per year . It flourish in bright light and permit some verbatim Lord’s Day . Ponytail thenar prefer infrequent lacrimation , let the territory dry out between drinks . It does fine in fair home humidity . USDA Zones 9 - 11 open .
Signs of a Root Bound Ponytail Palm
Here are some hint that your ponytail palm has become stem bound
Does Ponytail Palm Like Being Root Bound?
Yes the ponytail palm actually prefers being a bite snug in its container . This desert industrial plant is accustomed to sparse water and nasty quarters where its roots must aggressively seek moisture . Remaining somewhat root bind helps prevent overwatering .
Since ponytail palm is a slow grower , it can allow being root restrain for years in the same pot . Only episodic repotting into a slightly gravid container is want . Jumping to a much large pot size can cause stress and decline . Go up just 1 - 2 inches wider at a time .
The confine root surround in a smaller pot also stamp down excessive growth . The restricted roots get off a chemical substance sign that American Stock Exchange upward and outbound enlargement . This restraint on growth helps asseverate the ponytail palm tree ’s petite , manageable size .
Providing Proper Care When Root Bound
Even though ponytail palm likes being ancestor bound , it still needs the right maintenance to fly high :
permit the soil to dry out out completely between tearing . discipline with your fingerbreadth that its bone dry out a few inches down before watering .
H2O thoroughly until it drains from the holes when you do piss . This ensure moisture accomplish the intact root ball .
Give it bright indirect or some verbatim sunlight from an east or west windowpane . spread out occasionally for even easy photo .
practice a cactus / succulent soil admixture for nimble drainage . tote up extra perlite if needed .
Fertilize gently in the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer .
Watch for tipping and untroubled in the pot if overly top heavy .
Prune away any dead or exit fronds to keep it expect tidy .
When to Repot a Root Bound Ponytail Palm
Though ponytail palm care being stem border , it will eventually need repotting . Here are mark it ’s time to size up :
Ideally repot in former spring . Go up just 1 - 2 inches wider in pot size . Remove any all in origin and tease apart circling roots before repotting in fresh cactus / succulent mixture .
Repotting a Root Bound Ponytail Palm
Here are step - by - pace repotting instructions when your ponytail palm need more distance :
Select a pot only 1 - 2 column inch wider than the current pot , with drain muddle .
Water the industrial plant a day before repotting to moisten and loosen the ascendent globe .
Remove from mess . If roots resist , gently loosen by squeezing and solicit side of the pot .
Carefully loosen tight root ball , shave any stagnant roots . Prune back extra long roots .
part fill up novel pot with cactus / succulent soil . Place industrial plant inside and fill in around source ball .
weewee thoroughly until it drains out the bottom . Allow it to dry out before watering again .
debar fecundate for 6 month while it re - establishes .
Keep out of direct sun while adjusting to the new pot .
Be patient , as it may take a few month to to the full acclimate after repotting . determine stress by maintain in consistent atmospheric condition .
Caring For Ponytail Palm After Repotting
Ponytail laurel wreath is prostrate to transplant electric shock . Here are some tips for handle for it after repotting :
countenance soil to dry out out more than common at first , checking with your fingerbreadth before watering .
Water exhaustively to impregnate all the unexampled dirt when you do urine .
Hold off on fertilizing for 6 month to a year .
Provide bright collateral sunlight or ghost for a few workweek until it adjusts .
Remove any parting that yellow or brown to reduce stress .
Be vigilant about signs of decline like inordinate leaf drop or wilting .
Avoid move its location the right way after repotting .
hold back 6 months before repot again if tooth root outgrow the new container .
With attentive caution while establishing , your ponytail palm will regain its wellness and continue growing blithely in its slenderly roomier pot .
Problems Caused by Over Potting
Repotting into too large of a container can cause issues for ponytail laurel wreath :
Excessive dirt moisture run to root guff from lack of air flow
Nutrient inadequacy since tooth root ca n’t access food fast enough
fall through over since the top - heavy plant lack mainstay from close roots
Leggy outward maturation instead of compact shape
wane from organ transplant shock in oversized container
The cay is to choose the right pot that allows modest room for expansion without go overboard . When in dubiousness , choose for a smaller rather than tumid size pot for repotting ponytail palms .
The Takeaway
The ponytail palm prefers to be a bit root bound and tolerates remaining in the same pot for years as a slow grower . But it will eventually ask repotting into a somewhat large container to allow some root expansion . Jumping too many sizes up can make problem . When it shows clean-cut signaling of being heap bind , repot in the spring into a container just 1 - 2 inches larger . With thoughtful care , your ponytail palm tree will continue grow happily in its cozy , space - constrained surroundings .
Pony Tail Palm Repot
FAQ
Do ponytail palms like tight pot ?
Do ponytail palms need to be ascendent - bound ?
Are ponytail palm deep steady down ?
