Short leaves Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea gracilis
Caractéristiques de la plante
- Beaucarnea gracilis : Short leaves Ponytail palm
- Family : Asparagaceae
- Origin : Mexico
- Height in its natural environment : 7 m
- Hardiness : 1°C
- Flower colour : white - cream
Height : about 5 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Slow grower
Description of the plant
Here is the champion of the depolluting plants, and spectacular with that!
Indeed, this Beaucarnea depollutes everything: paints, glues, cosmetics, tobacco, resins, pesticides...; we even talk about electromagnetic depollution.
In addition to purifying the air, it is a real curiosity of nature: its swollen trunk containing a stock of water takes with time the shape of an elephant's foot, impression reinforced by its bark which, cracking with time, reminds of elephant skin! Its drooping tuft is of the most beautiful effect and blooms in large panicles of small cream flowers.
You can also find in our collection the classic Beaucarnea recurvata Elephant's foot plant.
Also known as : Elephant's foot plant, Big base palm, Botte palm, Nolina palm, Elephant palm, …
[Deyrolle board]
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
For an indoor planting
A true houseplant, place it in a warm and bright place, but avoid direct sun.
For an outdoor planting
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
Pruning
This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!