What's your question? Ask

Container Ponytail Palm Trees

Q.Ponytail Palm pruning

Zone indoorplant | An eland added on November 23, 2014 | Answered

I have a ponytail palm that is forty years old. Two years ago it reached the ceiling. I cut off the top, hoping that it would send out suckers from the base, but it keeps trying to grow from the very top. I am hesitant to cut off the whole trunk for fear of killing it. Is there any way to encourage sucker growth lower down?

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
theficuswrangler
Answered on November 23, 2014

Since the ponytail palm is not a palm but is actually related to agaves, if you cut back that long trunk to whatever spot you want, there's a good chance it will start new growth, probably several heads, from near the cut end. You can also attempt to root the cut section. I would hold off on the cutting back until spring, when you can take the headless trunk outside (not to much sun if it's always been indoors) and water well, a little fertilizer, and the plant might well send out new leaves. It's not a sure thing, but a number of people have reported success doing this.

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Container Ponytail Palm Trees
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK