Beaucarnea recurvata stores water in it's swollen base and stem. When grown as a single stemmed form it certainly deserves it's other common name of Elephant's Foot. A very forgiving and versatile plant. The added stem height makes it ideal as a floor standing specimen to add a touch of the exotic.
Horty Hints
Do you need a drink? These palms like storing water in the trunks, so don’t panic if there has been some neglect on your end.
Why so dry? If you notice the palm has limp or browning leaf blades and the trunk is starting to wrinkle-up, it is desperate for a drink. Soak in a basin of water for 10 mins.
Hide-and-Seek! Pony Tail Palms are susceptible to mealy bugs which hide in the pleats and folds of the plant. Cotton wool is the clue. See our pests guide for help.