Are you ready to repot your Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) and you want to make sure that you're doing everything correctly? I will show you step by step how I repotted my own plant. There are 3 very important things that you need to know for success so allow me to show you!
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I've had my own Ponytail Palm in the same pot for close to 5 years ever since I purchased it, and it had gotten very pot bound, so I'm going to show you exactly the steps I took to repot, and how I knew it was time to repot.
Table of Contents
When to Repot Ponytail Palm
Every plant needs a larger pot eventually. My own plant was growing beautifully for many years in the same pot, but eventually, the soil was drying out much more quickly than it used to.
Which is GOOD and you want the soil to dry out quickly, but as a result of this fact, I figured that the plant was pretty root bound.
I took the plant out to take a look:
Look how pot bound! Nice healthy roots though!
HOW TO REPOT BEAUCARNEA RECURVATA, OR PONYTAIL PALM
1. LOOSEN THE ROOT BALL
When plants get extremely root bound, you'll have to work to loosen the root ball a bit. If your soil is dry, go ahead and water it. It will make it easier to tease the roots apart.
The reason you have to do this is that otherwise, your plant will have a much harder time growing out of the densely packed ball of roots in order to grow into the soil in your new pot.
Many people are terrified to break up the root ball. You don't have to worry!
I like to start by grabbing the root ball at the base and gently pulling things loose.
Loosening the root ball
Next, I like to work on the sides of the rootball and loosen up the sides.
Go all the way around the perimeter until you've loosened things up a bit.
Some people go overboard and remove all of the old soil, but I almost never do this when repotting plants, nor do I think it's necessary.
You will inevitably break some roots, but don't stress about it. Just don't go crazy and break half the roots off and you will be ok.
Your goal is to loosen the roots so that they can easily grow into the new soil in its new home.
2. CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATELY SIZED POT
For your new pot, choose one that is only 1-2 inches in diameter larger than your old pot.
Don't go overboard or be tempted to place it in a pot larger than that. Especially for succulents!
The danger in this is that if your pot is too huge, your soil will take a lot longer to dry out and this can encourage problems like root rot.
I went from a 7" diameter pot to an 8" diameter pot, but it was deeper than the old pot.
My Ponytail Palm in its old pot
3. USE AN EXTREMELY WELL DRAINED POTTING MIX
The last critical part in successfully repotting your ponytail palm is making sure to use a soil mix that is very well draining.
I never use any potting mix straight out of the bag. I don't buy any fancy potting mixes, but I do blend my own to suit whatever plant I'm working with.
For succulent plants like Beaucarnea recurvata, I like to use two parts of a good succulent soil and 1 part of ¼" pumice.
You will get a VERY well drained mix this way and this is exactly what these plants like.
Top (left to right): succulent soil and pumice Bottom (left to right): succulent soil and perlite
I actually ended up using both ¼" pumice (link to Amazon) and perlite because I didn't have enough pumice. In the end I used 4 parts succulent soil mixed with 1 part pumice and 1 part of perlite.
Mix up everything until homogeneous, and you're ready to go. I like to repot outdoors so I added everything in my wheelbarrow and mixed it up there.
I chose a glazed ceramic pot as my plant's new home. Terra cotta pots are also excellent, especially for succulents since they breathe and dry out more quickly than other pots.
I like to place a broken piece of terra cotta pot over the drainage hole (like an upsidedown U) so that it keeps the soil in but lets water out.
When you add the plant and start to add soil to the new pot, gently firm the soil down with your hands as you go along so that there are no air pockets and your plant is secure and is not wobbling. You don't want a wobbly plant in your pot!
You'll want to leave about one inch from the soil to the top of the pot so you have room to water and have a "reservoir." Don't forget to do this or it can get very messy when you water!
All potted up!
Finally, give your plant a good watering and you're all done!
For tips on how to grow Ponytail Palm, be sure to check out my Ponytail Palm Care post which includes everything from light, watering, common problems, etc.
If you want to actually see me physically repot this plant, check out my repotting video on YouTube!
I have only had my ponytail for about a year now, and there is about an inch between the trunk and the edge of the pot that it came in and some roots are coming through the top of the soil. Should I repot to add more soil?
I'm happy to help, but I'd need to see a photo. If you're on Instagram, send me a DM (@ohiotropics) with photos and details of your care. I'm also on Facebook, and you can message me there (Ohio Tropics Houseplant and Garden Care).
My Ponytail Palm is over 45 years old and over 8 ft tall. About 6 years ago we had a super hard freeze in SETexas. My PTP was too tall to move inside or house, garage or greenhouse. We had a week of temperatures in the 20’s for a week never getting out of the 20’s. I covered the PTP with frost cloth and hoped for the best. After it warmed up I uncovered and the top was rotting out. I cut that piece off and hoped it. Was still alive. When warm temps were constant, it starting putting out new growth, 5 new growths at the top just below where I cut the top out and started putting out pups along the “foot”. I have cut a couple of them off trying to root them but they died. The top is now very full and I am glad I did not loose it. I do need to repot this year. Currently in a 22 inch nursery pot and has been for about 7 years.
I'm glad you didn't throw the plant away Sheri! If you don't want to go up a pot size, you can even trim 1/4 to 1/3 of the roots and put it back in the same pot.
We moved almost a year ago and during the move all the leaves on my palm plant got broken off. It broke my heart. But I still keep watering it and it is VERY, VERY slowly growing again. The leaves are about 1 and 1/2" long now. My question is how long does it take for it to really start growing again? And should I repot it in a smaller pot? It was so full and pretty and now is sad looking. I don't want to throw it out if it is salvageable.
Also my cats love to eat the leaves. They haven't gotten sick yet but are they poison to them?
I'm so sorry to hear that Lani! I would leave it in the same pot. They're not the fastest-growing plants, so you'll just have to have some patience. The only thing that would speed up the growth is more light (they can take as much direct sun as you can give them indoors), and warmth. Other than that, it's a waiting game. You can fertilize as well, but there are no tricks, unfortunately.
Omg ….. I’ve just seen your guide this morning after having reported my Ponytail last Saturday. She had been in the same pot for 12 years and looked like yours but began looking poorly recently. She was in a very large pot, but the soil had gradually compacted way down over the years and I kept saying to myself: “I must repot that ponytail I must repot that….” Well when I took her out, I was amazed! Her roots were like a coiled garden hose. Never seen anything like it! I live in a unit, so I took it downstairs to the communal tap where I could work in a bigger space. Unfortunately, 😬😬😬😬 I think I made a big boo boo by cutting off most of those roots back to the “ball.” 😱 There were a few fresh roots, which I didn’t touch, though, so maybe there’s hope. She’s been repotted into a deep terra cotta pot with fairly friable potting mix. I’m praying she recovers if I just quietly leave her alone now.🙏 🤞 Thanks for that info, though. If I ever need to repot her again, I’ll know exactly what to do. 👍
Ps: the reason I did what I did is because I had run out of credit when I decided to repot and just improvised.😫
Hi, I recently bought a Ponytail Palm at a big box store. It's in a plastic garden pot. Should I repot it in a ceramic pot and should I change the potting mix?
Hi Paulette! There is no harm in keeping it in the plastic pot for now until it needs to be repotted. Unless there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, keep it in there for now. If the potting mix is draining freely and drying out reasonably within a week or so, you can keep that too for now.
Thanks for the great guide and pictures! I received two gorgeous Ponytail Palms for Christmas and they came in grow pots as well as an outer glazed pot. Unfortunately the glazed outer pot does not have a drainage hole. I'm worried about leaving it in its growing pot for too long, but am also worried about repotting in the glazed pot without a drainage hole. Is it normal to keep these palms in their growing pots for extended periods of time? I actually lifted one out of the growing pot and it looks nearly identical to your first picture, with the roots quite tightly packed around the perimeter. It's definitely potted in a well drained soil though, as even watering a very small amount quickly drains through the bottom of the grow pot. I'm thinking of either buying glazed pots with an actual drainage hole and tray or lining the included ones with a gravel of some sort and then repotting.
I would definitely repot into a pot with a drainage hole, and there is nothing wrong with leaving the plant in a nursery pot. I do this all the time. You can repot it into a larger nursery pot and then slip it into the current decorative pot if it still fits. Bottom line, having a drainage hole is the top consideration regardless of pot material. Good luck! 🙂
I repotted my palm, using your instructions.
The roots were impacted and in standing water which seems it wasn't draining properly. I repotted into a pot with drainage rocks, using your soil formula. There are 21/2 inches around the main stalk. In addition, I placed the pot onto a saucer with small stones for added drainage.
Since repotting, the leaves have gradually turned yellow.
Could the repotting transition create this effect? Is there a recovery period?
Yes, the pot (plastic) has drainage holes. The leaves turning yellow do seem to be on the lower level. New leaves are sprouting from each of the four bulbs. I had been watering every week with 2 cups of water. Should I spread out to every two weeks?
Hello! I bought a ponytail palm this year, and was curious of your opinion. It has three plants in a pot 9"dia. by 8" deep, it's doing very well, but I wonder if it is good for the plant to be growing together as it is. I'm just asking so that when I repot in a few years, I'll know the best course to take.
Hi Jim, it's really all personal preference. If you want a single trunk specimen, you can divide them. Mine actually has multiple in the same pot. It came that way so I just kept it, and it's too late to divide it now. I would say that if it seems fairly easy to separate, and you want single trunk specimens, go ahead and do so. Otherwise, there is no harm in leaving them in the same pot. Hope this helps.
I bought a 4’ ponytail palm at an estate sale. It’s potted in a 24’ diameter pot that’s 3” deep. It has roots growing on top of the soil. Should I trip the roots off or cover with soil.
I have two ponytail plants in one pot. I’ve had them for about 15 years or so and they have outgrown the pot they are in now. I would like to separate them but I’m afraid their roots are so intertwined that I may lose them both. Should I attempt to separate them or find a bigger pot? The current pot is 24” wide and 16” deep. Anything bigger would make it more difficult to move them from indoors to outdoors. Help please!
My husband watered our ponytail palm in the center of the leaves on top of the plant. The center is now a light green while the rest of the plant is dark green. I assume the plant should only be watered at dirt level.
Hi Elaine, yes I would avoid adding water to the top of the plant. Are you sure the light green color isn't just from new growth? Sometimes the new growth is a lighter green.
I have only had my ponytail for about a year now, and there is about an inch between the trunk and the edge of the pot that it came in and some roots are coming through the top of the soil. Should I repot to add more soil?
Sounds like you can place it in a slightly bigger pot 🙂 I would recommend going up one pot size.
Repotting ponytail palm after several years. Lately looking peeked. There are only a couple roots!!!! Has it died?
I'm happy to help, but I'd need to see a photo. If you're on Instagram, send me a DM (@ohiotropics) with photos and details of your care. I'm also on Facebook, and you can message me there (Ohio Tropics Houseplant and Garden Care).
My Ponytail Palm is over 45 years old and over 8 ft tall. About 6 years ago we had a super hard freeze in SETexas. My PTP was too tall to move inside or house, garage or greenhouse. We had a week of temperatures in the 20’s for a week never getting out of the 20’s. I covered the PTP with frost cloth and hoped for the best. After it warmed up I uncovered and the top was rotting out. I cut that piece off and hoped it. Was still alive. When warm temps were constant, it starting putting out new growth, 5 new growths at the top just below where I cut the top out and started putting out pups along the “foot”. I have cut a couple of them off trying to root them but they died. The top is now very full and I am glad I did not loose it. I do need to repot this year. Currently in a 22 inch nursery pot and has been for about 7 years.
I'm glad you didn't throw the plant away Sheri! If you don't want to go up a pot size, you can even trim 1/4 to 1/3 of the roots and put it back in the same pot.
We moved almost a year ago and during the move all the leaves on my palm plant got broken off. It broke my heart. But I still keep watering it and it is VERY, VERY slowly growing again. The leaves are about 1 and 1/2" long now. My question is how long does it take for it to really start growing again? And should I repot it in a smaller pot? It was so full and pretty and now is sad looking. I don't want to throw it out if it is salvageable.
Also my cats love to eat the leaves. They haven't gotten sick yet but are they poison to them?
I'm so sorry to hear that Lani! I would leave it in the same pot. They're not the fastest-growing plants, so you'll just have to have some patience. The only thing that would speed up the growth is more light (they can take as much direct sun as you can give them indoors), and warmth. Other than that, it's a waiting game. You can fertilize as well, but there are no tricks, unfortunately.
Omg ….. I’ve just seen your guide this morning after having reported my Ponytail last Saturday. She had been in the same pot for 12 years and looked like yours but began looking poorly recently. She was in a very large pot, but the soil had gradually compacted way down over the years and I kept saying to myself: “I must repot that ponytail I must repot that….” Well when I took her out, I was amazed! Her roots were like a coiled garden hose. Never seen anything like it! I live in a unit, so I took it downstairs to the communal tap where I could work in a bigger space. Unfortunately, 😬😬😬😬 I think I made a big boo boo by cutting off most of those roots back to the “ball.” 😱 There were a few fresh roots, which I didn’t touch, though, so maybe there’s hope. She’s been repotted into a deep terra cotta pot with fairly friable potting mix. I’m praying she recovers if I just quietly leave her alone now.🙏 🤞 Thanks for that info, though. If I ever need to repot her again, I’ll know exactly what to do. 👍
Ps: the reason I did what I did is because I had run out of credit when I decided to repot and just improvised.😫
Jan.
Brisbane, Australia.
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do! Good luck with your plant Jan 🙂
I have a pony tail palm that is about 6 foot tall a 22” dia. Base and need to r3locate is this possible
Yes absolutely! I assume you mean you need to repot it?
Hi, I recently bought a Ponytail Palm at a big box store. It's in a plastic garden pot. Should I repot it in a ceramic pot and should I change the potting mix?
Hi Paulette! There is no harm in keeping it in the plastic pot for now until it needs to be repotted. Unless there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, keep it in there for now. If the potting mix is draining freely and drying out reasonably within a week or so, you can keep that too for now.
Thanks for the great guide and pictures! I received two gorgeous Ponytail Palms for Christmas and they came in grow pots as well as an outer glazed pot. Unfortunately the glazed outer pot does not have a drainage hole. I'm worried about leaving it in its growing pot for too long, but am also worried about repotting in the glazed pot without a drainage hole. Is it normal to keep these palms in their growing pots for extended periods of time? I actually lifted one out of the growing pot and it looks nearly identical to your first picture, with the roots quite tightly packed around the perimeter. It's definitely potted in a well drained soil though, as even watering a very small amount quickly drains through the bottom of the grow pot. I'm thinking of either buying glazed pots with an actual drainage hole and tray or lining the included ones with a gravel of some sort and then repotting.
I would definitely repot into a pot with a drainage hole, and there is nothing wrong with leaving the plant in a nursery pot. I do this all the time. You can repot it into a larger nursery pot and then slip it into the current decorative pot if it still fits. Bottom line, having a drainage hole is the top consideration regardless of pot material. Good luck! 🙂
I repotted my palm, using your instructions.
The roots were impacted and in standing water which seems it wasn't draining properly. I repotted into a pot with drainage rocks, using your soil formula. There are 21/2 inches around the main stalk. In addition, I placed the pot onto a saucer with small stones for added drainage.
Since repotting, the leaves have gradually turned yellow.
Could the repotting transition create this effect? Is there a recovery period?
Does your pot not have a drainage hole? Is it just the lower leaves turning yellow?
@Raffaele,
Yes, the pot (plastic) has drainage holes. The leaves turning yellow do seem to be on the lower level. New leaves are sprouting from each of the four bulbs. I had been watering every week with 2 cups of water. Should I spread out to every two weeks?
Hello! I bought a ponytail palm this year, and was curious of your opinion. It has three plants in a pot 9"dia. by 8" deep, it's doing very well, but I wonder if it is good for the plant to be growing together as it is. I'm just asking so that when I repot in a few years, I'll know the best course to take.
Hi Jim, it's really all personal preference. If you want a single trunk specimen, you can divide them. Mine actually has multiple in the same pot. It came that way so I just kept it, and it's too late to divide it now. I would say that if it seems fairly easy to separate, and you want single trunk specimens, go ahead and do so. Otherwise, there is no harm in leaving them in the same pot. Hope this helps.
I bought a 4’ ponytail palm at an estate sale. It’s potted in a 24’ diameter pot that’s 3” deep. It has roots growing on top of the soil. Should I trip the roots off or cover with soil.
I wouldn't take any of the roots out. Cover the surface with a little soil.
I have two ponytail plants in one pot. I’ve had them for about 15 years or so and they have outgrown the pot they are in now. I would like to separate them but I’m afraid their roots are so intertwined that I may lose them both. Should I attempt to separate them or find a bigger pot? The current pot is 24” wide and 16” deep. Anything bigger would make it more difficult to move them from indoors to outdoors. Help please!
If I were in your shoes and that was my plant, I honestly would leave the plant alone. You may risk damage if you try and separate them at this point.
@Raffaele, thank you. They are quite large so I think I will try to find a pot big enough to hold both of them.
My husband watered our ponytail palm in the center of the leaves on top of the plant. The center is now a light green while the rest of the plant is dark green. I assume the plant should only be watered at dirt level.
Hi Elaine, yes I would avoid adding water to the top of the plant. Are you sure the light green color isn't just from new growth? Sometimes the new growth is a lighter green.