How do you care for a ponytail plant?

Caring for a ponytail palm plant involves keeping the soil relatively dry, watering only when the soil is thoroughly dry, which is generally once a week in the spring and summer, and less frequently in the winter. This plant can tolerate moderate periods of drought and a quick-draining, sandy soil.

Ponytail palms require bright, indirect light, but are adaptable to a variety of outdoor and indoor lighting conditions. This plant prefers to be root-bound, so it is best to keep it in a pot that is only slightly larger than the root mass and to transplant it only when necessary. Keeping the plant in a tight pot also prevents over-watering, which can result in stem rot. Washing the leaves and stem with a cloth with soapy water can eliminate spider mites or white flies if they develop.