Ponytail palms, with the scientific name Beaucarnea recurvata, belong to the family Asparagaceae. Also called elephant’s foot, the species is native to most states of Eastern Mexico but is now confined to the state of Veracruz. Neither palms nor trees, these are succulents with bulbous trunks and long, hair-like leaves that grow like a ponytail from the top of the trunk. These plants are cold-hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but are still prone to conditions such as yellowing leaves.
Ponytail palm leaves turning yellow: What are the common reasons?
The reasons ponytail palm leaves turn yellow are overwatering or over-application of fertilizers.
Overwatering can be resolved by providing proper drainage for your plants. When the plants are overwatered, their roots tend to get soaked in stagnant water. This could lead to root rot, and eventually, the leaves will turn yellow and may become wilted if the condition is not dealt with at once.
Over-fertilization can be fixed by repotting the plants in fresh and well-draining soil. Add standard fertilizers in the correct portions.
Fungal diseases indicative of overwatering
Ponytail palm root and stem rot are fungal diseases caused by overwatering. Ponytail palms thrive in well-drained soil, and if they are constantly wet and have excess moisture they will become susceptible to fungal diseases.
Signs of root and stem rot:
- Slow or stunted growth
- Wilted, yellow leaves
- Discolored, mushy roots
- Squishy or soft caudex or stem
How to save your ponytail palm from fungal diseases:
It is usually impossible to restore your infected plants unless the disease is not yet in an advanced stage. If you manage to detect it early, withholding water and ensuring good soil drainage may be enough to revive the plant.
If the rot or fungal infection is already advanced, you need to remove the plant from the pot and cut off the affected plant parts with a clean, sharp knife. Repot the plant in a new container with well-draining soil and with drainage holes.
Indications of a dehydrated ponytail palm
Ponytail palms are drought-resistant but they cannot live months without water. Dehydrated plants show the following signs:
- The leaves are droopy, brown and starting to curl.
- The trunk is wrinkled.
How to revive a dehydrated ponytail palm:
Place your potted ponytail palm in a sink. Fill it with cold water and leave the plant in the sink for at least 45 minutes to allow the soil to soak up the water through the hole at the bottom of the pot. The caudex or stem will be able to absorb a good amount of moisture if at least three inches of soil are soaked.
Next, remove the pot from the sink and leave it indoors for a while to drain off any standing water. Finally, replace your plant on its saucer in its usual spot in the house.
Ponytail palm care
Ponytail palms thrive in dry soil, and it is ideal for them to get root bound before repotting. When repotting these plants, use a pot about an inch or two wider than the one previously used. Using a pot any larger than that is not recommended as they may get too much water at once and this could damage the plant’s health.
These plants only need to be fertilized two to three times a year; more than that could result in brown leaf tips.
Conclusion
Ponytail palms are drought-resistant plants that prefer bright indoor light or sunny areas if grown outdoors. These succulents can tolerate high temperatures, but can still be prone to yellowing leaves. Yellowing ponytail palm leaves may be attributed to overwatering or incorrect watering techniques. It could also be due to fungal infections such as palm rot and stem rot.
Image: istockphoto.com / RenataKa