Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm - Evergreen Trees Direct

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm

Name: Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 9500.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$9,500.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: EX GROUND

EX GROUND

Current Stock Height Guides

500L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm

Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as the Ponytail Palm, is a slow-growing, architectural plant known for its distinctive swollen base (caudex) and fountain-like, strappy foliage that cascades from the top of its trunk. Despite the name, it is not a true palm, but rather a drought-tolerant species well suited to both indoor and outdoor environments.

Typically reaching 2–4 metres tall in garden settings (or smaller when container-grown), this evergreen species thrives in full sun to part shade and performs best in well-drained, sandy or gritty soils. Once established, it requires very little water and is perfect for low-maintenance or Xeriscape gardens, patios, and modern landscaping schemes.

They look excellent when grown in sculptural planters, used as statement pieces in courtyards, or mass-planted in dry gardens for dramatic contrast. Its unique shape and minimal care needs make it a favourite for collectors and designers alike.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2–4 m

Mature Width: 1–3 m

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm is expected to grow 0.2–0.5 m per year (slow-growing).

Frost Tolerance

Is Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm frost tolerant?

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Beaucarnea recurvata produces tall, branched clusters of creamy-white flowers during the warmer months, though flowering is occasional in garden settings. When it does bloom, the airy sprays sit well above the foliage, adding a unique and elegant seasonal highlight.

Native Information

Is Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm an Australian Native? No

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm is Native to Native to arid regions of eastern Mexico.

Wildlife Value

Its summer flower sprays attract bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects, while the dense fountain-like foliage offers shelter for small creatures at ground level. Its long-lasting structure contributes to a stable, resilient garden ecosystem.

Sunlight Information

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Beaucarnea recurvata performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It is highly intolerant of heavy clay or waterlogged soil unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil lightly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures and develops its signature high drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Ponytail Palm

Genus: Beaucarnea

Botanical Species: Beaucarnea recurvata

Family: Asparagaceae

Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm works in an:

Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Succulent / Dry Garden – sculptural planting with cacti, agaves, and drought-style textures.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a full sun position (or very bright light indoors).
Use a cactus or succulent mix, or a free-draining soil blend.
Avoid planting too deep; position the root flare just above the soil line.
Water sparingly in the first few months; allow the topsoil to dry between watering.
Use a slow-release fertiliser suited to drought-tolerant or succulent plants.

Feature Planting: Space 1.5 – 2.5 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 2 – 3 m apart for repetition in dry gardens

Water infrequently — once established, it may only need watering during hot, dry periods.
Apply mulch away from the trunk to keep surface roots cool and suppress weeds.
Fertilise once a year in spring with a balanced fertiliser.
Protect from hard frost, especially when young or container-grown.

Sandy Soils: Ideal. Add organic matter to improve moisture retention while maintaining excellent drainage.
Loamy Soils: Excellent if drainage is maintained. Raised beds or mounds can assist during wet seasons.
Clay Soils: Not recommended. These can hold excess moisture, risking root rot. If unavoidable, significantly amend with coarse sand and compost or grow in elevated planters or pots.
Not suitable for: Heavy, unamended clay or waterlogged soils.

Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm is expected to grow 0.2–0.5 m per year (slow-growing).

Slow Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young plant it benefits from moderate watering, but once established Beaucarnea recurvata develops exceptional drought tolerance. Its swollen trunk stores water, allowing it to thrive in hot, dry and low-maintenance gardens with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Beaucarnea recurvata - Ponytail palm flower?

No - Doesn't Flower

Flowering Period:

Year-Round

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Cream

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Beaucarnea recurvata a palm?
A: No, although often called Ponytail Palm, it is not a true palm but a succulent species in the Asparagaceae family.

Q: Is it suitable for pots or indoor growing?
A: Yes, it grows very well in large pots and makes an excellent indoor architectural plant in bright light.

Q: How drought-tolerant is it?
A: Extremely. Its bulbous base stores water, allowing it to go extended periods without irrigation once established.

Q: Does it require pruning?
A: No routine pruning is needed. You can remove spent or browning leaves if desired.

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