Beaucarnea recurvata
Pata de elefante, Palma culona, Pony tail, Elephant foot, Bottle palm
Also known as Nolina recurvata, Dasylirion recurvatum, Nolina tuberculata, Beaucarnea
- Height × spread
- 8m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Sometimes seen in a flowerpot with a fat stem and a shaggy mop of hair-like foliage. Under the constraints of domesticity this can reach as much as 1.5 metres tall. It can grow into a spectacular plant in hotter parts of the world. The plant has a short swollen trunk from which rises a thinner trunk which supports the masses of slim leaves. These can reach a metre in length. Give this a sunny position with plenty of water in summer, and a little water in winter. It will tolerate a minimum temperature of 5C.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 8m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 5C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Using a balanced houseplant fertiliser, feed the plant monthly from March until September.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, bark and grit.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).