Ponytail palm care: light, water, and pet safety

Beaucarnea recurvata

Care table

Light	Bright indirect light to some direct sun. Bright light with some direct sun.
Water	Let it dry out fully. Water when the soil is dry all the way down.
Humidity	Average room air is fine
Repotting	Every 2 to 3 years. Keep the pot only a little wider than the swollen base.

Winter care

Water sparingly, often every 3 to 6 weeks in a cool room. Stop fertilizer. Give it your brightest window.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Bottle Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.
Brown leaf tips: Normal with age or dry air. Trim with clean scissors.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool