The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) makes a surprisingly interesting desktop plant, considering that when grown outdoors it can be a full-size tree that towers over homes. When planted outside in full sun, ponytail palms can reach 30 feet tall, but they typically stay closer to 6 feet tall at maturity when grown indoors.

Despite the common name and the appearance of the foliage, this plant is not a true palm, but rather a member of the Asparagaceae family that includes edible asparagus.

Indoors, these novel little trees are often grown in shallow pots, with a tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem that seems to erupt from the soil. (The bulbous trunk is the source of one of its common names, "elephant's foot"). Given time and the right conditions, a small desktop plant will grow into a respectable specimen plant up to 6 feet in height or more. Ponytail palm is native to arid regions in Central America and is among the easiest of small trees to grow indoors.

Spring is the traditional planting time for ponytail palms outdoors, although, a ponytail palm can be planted at almost any time. It is a very slow-growing species and may take five years or more for a 1-foot-tall plant to double in size.

• Ponytail palm is an extremely slow-growing plant, so be patient during growth.
• Ponytail palm prefers a sandy soil in a full-sun location. When grown outdoors, it is best planted in a cactus/succulent potting mix.
• The plant needs a modest amount of water at regular intervals.

This plant is native to semi-desert areas of Central America, and when planted outdoors it does best in relatively sandy but organically rich soil. As in indoor plant, it thrives in a cactus/succulent potting mix augmented with peat to improve its richness.

For potted indoor plants, water a ponytail palm during the growing season every seven to 14 days. The bulbous stem stores water, so be careful not to overwater it. During the winter season, cut back watering to monthly.

A ponytail palm planted in the garden rarely needs to be watered if you get any kind of regular rain. In dry climates or during periods of drought, a modest watering every two weeks is sufficient.