Propagation For Ponytail Palm
Ask the Expert: Babies on my ponytail plant
I inherited a pony tail plant about 20 years ago. Recently, It had three babies, growing between the middle and top of the plant. Do they have to be removed? Will they hurt my plant if I leave them be? If I did remove them, can I root them? If yes, how? Thank you, I really love this plant!
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:11 am
It wont’ hurt to leave the babies on your ponytail palm. The only place I have ever seen the babies is at the base of the ponytail palm. So I’m not sure what this grow in the middle is structured. But, you can try to remove the babies and root them to form new plants. I would dip the bottoms in a rooting hormone and place in a lite soil mixture (you can use cactus and succulent potting soil). Keep it moderately moist and in a few weeks it should have new roots. I’m not sure how successful this type of propagation for ponytail palms is since I have actually perform it my self. I do know that in commercial growing operations ponytail palms are propagated by seed which is a very long process. Good luck and keep me posted.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I have a 15′ Pony tail palm growing in my front yard in Florida. If I cut it off at about 2 feet will it grow a new bunch of leaves or will it die?
May 4th, 2009 at 8:43 am
You have a 50 to 50 chance of it surviving. Unlike Lucky bamboo (Draceana sanderiana), ponytial palms (Beaucarnea) will takes months to produce new leaves. I would recommend using a little Vitamin B1. You will mix it with water and pour it around the base of the tree. Then it is all about waiting. Watch for blackening of the trunk which will indicate that the plant is dying. Good luck and keep me posted.