Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) Beaucarnea recurvata
Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) (Beaucarnea recurvata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Asparagaceae family, native to Semi-arid forests of eastern Mexico (Veracruz, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí). It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 521–1043 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Semi-arid forests of eastern Mexico (Veracruz, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot)
- How far apart should I plant Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) flower?
- About 521–1043 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ponytail palm (elephant’s foot). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Not a palm: a swollen, water-storing trunk base like an elephant’s foot and a fountain of long, thin, curling leaves. In the ground in warm climates it slowly becomes a branched tree; in a pot it stays small for decades. Endangered in its native forests.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana