Learning the art of growing a tall and large ponytail palm is a clever mix of science and approach. Here’s how to achieve it!
Ponytail palms are not one of the fastest-growing specimens out there, so people are always on the lookout for ways to make theirs stand out from the rest!
How to Make Ponytail Palm Grow Taller
1. Get a Tall Specimen
First thing first – these plants are slow growers, and by slow, we mean SLOW! And if you plan to get a 1-2 feet tall palm – well, it will take years to add 1-2 feet to its growth.
So, what is the way around? How about you get a tall specimen from a garden center and then use all the following tips? A slightly large ponytail palm means you won’t have to waste time on a smaller one to make it taller!
2. Let them Get the Right Light Exposure
Ponytail palms can tolerate low light and survive pretty well, but if you want them to grow faster, don’t keep your specimen in the dark!
Provide them with AT LEAST 6 hours of indirect or filtered sunlight every day. The best place to keep them is a South or West window, a shady balcony or porch, or any spot in your garden that doesn’t receive direct sun.
Also, make it a habit to rotate the pot periodically–every couple of weeks so there’s even growth. Otherwise, it will lean towards the light source.
3. Water Thoroughly but Less Frequently
Also known as Elephant foot tree because of the famous bulbous trunk, this is where they store a lot of water and can go on for months without watering. This means these plants don’t need frequent watering!
Beaucarnea recurvata are succulents and not true palms, and watering frequently can cause slow growth and, ultimately, root rot.
The best approach is to water thoroughly and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out completely before watering the plant again.
4. The Right Size Matters
Keep them in a slightly root-bound state for faster growth and avoid excessively large pots. Make sure you re-pot the plant every 3-4 years or whenever you see it completely root-bound.
However, this doesn’t mean you can select a really small pot as it can hinder tall growth.
5. Don’t Go on a Feeding Frenzy
If you think your Ponytail palm will grow a few feet every couple of months if you start feeding it like a Pothos, well–IT WON’T!
These plants are not heavy feeders and need to be fertilized sparingly, typically every 3 months, with full-strength balanced liquid feed. However, if you are diluting it to 1/2 of its recommended strength by the manufacturer, do it every 6-8 weeks.
Also, these Super Important Palm Tree Growing Tips will help you out
6. Keep it on a Plant Stand
Well, this is the last resort! You can always make the plant appear taller than it is by keeping it on a plant stand! So, a 2 feet tall plant on a 2 feet tall plant stand would look 4 feet 😃 this way.
Will My Ponytail Palm Grow Taller?
Of course, it will. You just have to be patient because they’re slow growers and take their own sweet time to achieve the height you are looking for.
Also, remember – they won’t grow much taller than 6-8 feet indoors – however, they can grow up to 30 feet tall outdoors! So, if you’re trying to get an indoor Ponytail palm higher than that, you’ll have tough luck.
