How Big Do Ponytail Palms Get - Does It Need Deep Pots

Ponytail palms make excellent houseplants because they are sure to catch the eye of anyone who enters your home. But how big do ponytail palms get? If you have a small workspace, you may be unsure of the suitability of a ponytail palm.

A potted ponytail palm doesn't get as tall as the specimens found in nature. However, keep in mind that they can reach heights of up to 30 feet if you decide to plant one in your garden.

Ponytail Palm Height

Ponytail palms can reach heights of 1–3, 3–8, and 8–30 feet.
The location and climate are the main determinants. Each ponytail palm naturally grows up to 12 inches per year. This growth is regarded as slow.

Ponytail palm trees have a broad trunk that can get up to four feet wide. It needs to be replanted frequently when grown indoors. The new pot shouldn't be wider than 2-3 inches.

Whether you have your ponytail palm in a pot and how well you take care of it will determine how tall it grows. You still need to create ideal growing conditions even though they don't require much attention.

Ponytail Palm Origin and Natural Habitat

In actuality, ponytail palms aren't palms at all! Instead, they belong to a species of succulent related to the agave. Belize, Guatemala, and eastern Mexico make up their natural habitat. They don't do well in colder climates and prefer a desert-like environment.

The ponytail palm requires a lot of sunlight and requires little maintenance, just like all succulents.

This evergreen plant is over 350 years old and has broad leaves.

How Tall Do Ponytail Palms Grow in Pots?

A potted ponytail palm is the ideal addition to any room with a lot of space in your home. It's a colorful and eye-catching addition to your collection of plants thanks to its waterfall-like leaves.

Ponytail palms can only grow so much when grown indoors. Throughout its entire life, it can only grow as high as 4 feet. This is much taller than other house plants but much shorter than a ponytail palm's maximum height.

The ponytail palm requires more room as it gets taller. It must be frequently replanted, but never into a pot that is noticeably larger. The plant could die in a larger pot. It will gather more moisture, which the plant does not like.

You'll restrict the plant's growth if you keep it in a small container. The way to do it is as follows, but some people might prefer the ponytail palm short.

What Do Ponytail Palms Need to Grow Big?

Without pruning, you are able to control the ponytail palm's height by yourself. Since it only has one stem, it is not a plant that requires pruning. If the top is cut, the plant is more vulnerable to mold and mildew, which could ultimately result in a dead plant. (Read More: How To Prune A Ponytail Palm Plant)

There are, nonetheless, tiny offsprings at the root that can be removed and replanted.

The first to display any symptoms of illness are the leaves because they are so delicate. If you see yellow tips, use your garden shears to remove only the damaged area.

Periodic Replanting

The plant can expand its width and height by being frequently replanted into a slightly larger container. Early spring or summer are the best times to complete this. This is also the ideal time if you plan to move your ponytail palm to the garden.

The plant has enough time to establish its roots before the colder months when it is replanted early.

Correct Position and Soil

Place your ponytail palm in sand- and well-draining soil. Select the sunniest room in the house if you're keeping it inside. Put it close to a window, but keep it out of direct sunlight. Control the humidity levels because these plants require low-humidity environments.

If you reside in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, you can plant your ponytail palm outside. Make sure the location and soil are suitable, though.

Ponytail palms are great because they're so accommodating. Sunlight is not necessary every day for them. Take your potted plant, for instance, which you can leave in the garden from spring to fall. Then you can bring it inside and put it in a room with less light, and it will survive the winter.

Suitable Watering Schedule

Ponytail palms require little water. Due to their succulent nature, they require a dry, low-humidity environment. If you continue to water it every day with your other plants, you can easily kill it. Less frequent waterings during the winter are acceptable for the plant.

Summertime necessitates liberal but less frequent watering. Make a plan for two to three waterings per week. You must adjust the watering if the plant is outdoors in an extremely hot and dry climate.

Read More: 

• Overwatered Ponytail Palm - Signs & Solutions
• How to Save Your Underwatered Ponytail Palm
• How Often to Water Your Ponytail Palm

How Big Does a Ponytail Palm Get After a Year?

Slow-growing is the ponytail palm. When dressed outside, a maximum of 12 inches can be anticipated per year. It would double in size after 4 to 5 years if you planted it when it was 1 foot tall.

Even slower growth occurs inside. So make sure to secure all the growing conditions and re-pot it frequently. The big ponytail palms in nature are more than a few decades old!

Watering the Ponytail Palm

Generally every two weeks (but these can even go up to a month), give the soil plenty of time to dry out before watering again. When you water, make sure the soil is completely saturated and allow the water to drain before continuing.

Never allow it to sit in water (this rule generally applies to all indoor plants). Ponytail palms can store water in their bulbous trunks, so you can usually err on the side of underwatering them. However, dried-out, brown leaves and/or a shriveled trunk will indicate that you're not giving your ponytail palm enough water. You may be overwatering if you notice yellow foliage or a mushy trunk. (Read More: Why Does My Ponytail Palm Have Brown Tips)

The majority of this plant's issues are caused by overwatering, but it occasionally gets pests like mealybugs, scale, or spider mites, which are treated with a systemic insecticide.
Read More: Is Ponytail Palm Toxic To Cats

How to Propagate the Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palms can be propagated from seed, but a more practical way to propagate them is to wait for a plant to produce a "pup," which you can eventually separate from the parent plant. Cut the plant off from the parent once the roots have begun to grow, and then place it in its own pot after cutting the plant free from the parent. To ensure that the young plant receives enough water as it continues to establish its own root system, keep the soil moist. (Read More: How to Propagate Ponytail Palm)

Are Ponytail Palms An Indoor Plant?

The best indoor plants are ponytail palms. They are not sensitive and won't consume a lot of your time. You can play around with positioning since they require sunlight for a portion of the year. Ponytail palms go dormant in the winter. The plant can be maintained at a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit during these months. (Read More: How Much Light Does Ponytail Palm Need)

Although it requires little maintenance, this hardy plant gives you a beautiful appearance.

Final Thought: How Big Does a Ponytail Palm Get?

Ponytail palms can grow to a height of 30 feet when fully grown, but they stay much smaller in containers. Because it is a Mexican native succulent, it thrives in hot, dry climates.

In the deserts of eastern Mexico, ponytail palms can reach heights of 30 feet. This plant is a member of the succulent family, making it tolerant of low humidity, little water, and infrequent fertilization.