Cousin It (Ponytail Palm) Likes Snug Surroundings

Pony Tail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) From Bernecker's Nursery

Ask The Expert: I was just given a elephant plant–large “foot” and long stringy leaves. It is at least 11 years old and never been transplanted. Should I transplant and what size planter!I think I am going to rename it ‘Cousin It’!!!! Bobbi

Reply:

I assume the plant that you have looks like the one pictured above.  This is a Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail palm).  As you can tell from the picture, they like to be crowded in their containers.  So I would only transplant it if it has truly out-grown its container.  When you transplant it you want a container that is only slightly larger than the one that it is in – the plant only needs 2 to 3″ of space between it and the side of the pot.  The key is to keep it at the same level in the pot. In other words don’t bury it. the top of the rootball should still be the top in the new container.