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!
When I repotted my palm, I noticed that there was a huge coiled whitish rope-like root around the bottom of the pot. I didn't know if I should cut this off. But the roots did not look like the ones in your pics with that rope-y root thing. Should I cut it off and repot? Also, how far above the soil should the cautx bulbs stick up? Halfway? Thanks!
Hello!
I seem to keep finding the most helpful info on your site; thank you!! In this case, my 15yr old potted ponytail palm, which I repotted in to a taller pot (plastic) to keep the leaves from dragging the ground, got over watered at one point. I skipped the watering for a few rounds and then continued, being more attentive.
The bottom leaves began turning all brown, and the top leaves are a super pale yellowish green/almost white. 😳 One of the 3 stalks turned brown just below the lighter growth and leaves began to fall from there. I went to repot and it’s completely dried out.
I’m not sure if I can save it but I’m going to try…what’s your best advice? Oh…the soil is almost completely off of the roots at this point, as well.
Did I go too far?
Thank you!
Hi Julie, I would need to see photos to best help, but are you sure you "overwatered" it? From everything you described, it sounds like it probably became very dehydrated.
Hello. I can’t seem to find anyone with my ponytail plant problem. The leaves on my ponytail froze off last winter. The mother survived, but has put on many pups on her own body, I mean MANY! Should I remove the pups surgically from mom or will this endanger all involved?
Thank you to anyone who feels willing to respond.
Nancy
You can definitely separate them. If you cut them off, allow them to dry for a few days and then stick in a pot with soil and they will root. You can keep them all together though if you want.
My Ponytail Palm is a year old and doubled in size. (still in its nursery pot with signs of root bound.) Due to watering issues (daily yellow & brown leaf tips) I decided not to wait for spring/summer weather to repot. Within an hour the leaves were arching much higher ... as if to say THANK YOU Ohio Tropics!! 😍
My ponytail is suffering - I believe it was overwatered and now having a tough time recovering. It is over 5' tall - I'm thinking it need repotting but I would like your advise before I damage it more. Thanks
Hi Jan, I'm happy to help. Can you send me some photos? It will definitely help me provide guidance. If you can use the contact form on my site, and when I reply, you can attach the photos. Please describe everything you've done that you believe caused the problem, and other care details.
I’ve had my ponytail palm for 9 years, repotted it once about 2 years ago. It’s doing great, however it has a baby on the root ball. And I don’t know what to do with it
Hi Ronda! You can leave it there if you don't mind it, otherwise if you just want a single-trunk specimen, just cut it off. You can even try propagating it after you cut it off.
The top got broke off the 30 yr old ponytail palm I have it was ok but then it got ripped down the side of top and now all leaves are dying it's way over due to be repotted but I'm in DESPERATE need of help fixing this plant or keeping it from dying. My daughter gave me this plant to care for it was her passed father in laws so it's very important I figure out what i can do to fix it. Thank you
Hi Tisha, I'm so sorry to hear about your plant 🙁 I'd have to see some photos to better help though. Please use the contact form on my website to email me. Once I respond back, you can attach photos and I can give you my best advice.
I just purchased a Ponytail Palm from a big box store. It was sitting in a huge puddle of water, I couldn’t leave it there!
I took it out of the pot and removed all of the dripping soil and let the roots dry a bit. The roots are not very big so it’s very wobbly in it’s new pot. (I used all of your recommendations!) I don’t want to water so soon since it was wet for a good two days at least. How can I secure it without completely covering the bulb under the dirt?
Hi Gisel! Once it starts to grow into the new soil, it will stabilize. But if it's a little wobbly, you can maybe stake it with a bamboo stick or something similar. Once it grows and seems more stable, you can remove it. Hope this helps!
I've had my ponytail palm for years, my mom grew it from a baby. Two years ago I cut the plant almost in half because it was about 8 feet tall and was becoming much too hard getting it outside for the warmer weather. I know Clay pots are better for this plant but I would never be able to manage it. It has come back beautifully after cutting 4 feet off but I need to transplant it because the plastic container is cracked. I need advice on what other options I may have with choosing a new pot for it. The circumference at the bottom of this plant is about 40 inches!!! I read that these plants can grow on top of rocks in their native home outdoors. Can I repot this in a shallow container so I can move the plant easier? Thanks for any advice you can give. I wish I could include a photo so you can see what it looks like.
Hi Ingrid! Wow, that sounds like quite a specimen! Can you send me a photo? Either through Instagram DM or just use the contact form on my website, and then when I reply, you can send photos. Have you taken the plant out of the pot? Are there roots all the way to the bottom of the pot?
Hi there, I really enjoyed reading your repotting process. I am fairly new to the indoor plant scene I have a ponytail palm that I have had for about 8 months now. I noticed some roots are growing out of the drainage holes. I also noticed that the water is drying out sooner than before. Do you think that is time to repot or does it still have time in the planter? Please advise. Thank you so much!
My friend just gave me a ponytail palm and she repotted it before she gave it to me because she wanted to keep the nice pot it was in. But the bulb’s neck is even with the top of the soil. My past ponytail palms the bulb was almost sitting on top of the soil. What should I do? My friend has only been interested in plants for a pandemic year.... haha.... but I tried questioning her if the bulb was above or below soil level when she acquired it. And I didn’t get a true idea of if it was either one. What should I do? I don’t want to lose the plant, because I really - really like them. And some of the blade leaves have 3-4 inches of brown tips....but not that many. She used cactus/ succulent soil.
One more question. I have a really pretty bonsai pot, but it’s like a 10 inch width. Can I repot it in there and exactly how would I do that? Because it’s currently in a 6 inch pot. Bulb is about 4 inches wide I think! Hard to tell below the soil....oh it might be 3 inches wide.
Hi Sherie! The swollen base (called a caudex) should definitely not be under the soil line. I would just go ahead and repot it now if you can. You don't want to leave too much room though. If the caudex is only 3 inches in diameter, a 10 inch is much too large, although since you're using a bonsai pot, I'd imagine that it's not too deep so it'll offset it a bit. However, I would try and find a pot that would leave maybe two inches at the most, from the edge of the caudex (once you unearth it!) to the rim of the pot. I hope this helps and good luck!
I want to report my ponytail palm that has three bulbs, and have a pot that is 14" wide by 9 " deep. The current pot is 9" wide and also 9" deep. Since I am not adding depth, would the width be too much? Thanks!
My Brenda, that's a great question! I would say you're probably just fine, as long as your plant is getting plenty of light! Do you have it in a nice, sunny spot?
My neighbor tossed her 30 year ponytail plant out in the trash.. it was out of pot and the fonds are still very green..
the bulb is about 29'in circumference.. Roots are long and pale yellow AND DRY.. nY QUESTION FOR YOU IS WHAT SIZE POT SHOULD I USE AND SHOULD I SOAK THE ROOTS BEFORE POTTING.. IT HAS BEEN AN INDOOR PLANT BEFORE SHE THREW IT OUT.. tRYING TO SAVE IT THANKS
Hi Janice! I would place it in a pot that is just slightly bigger than the root ball. Maybe 2 inches or so bigger than the current diameter of the root ball now. You can soak the roots before repotting if they're terribly dry. Good luck!!!
My Ponytail Palm "seems" to be thriving. I bought it about 4 years ago. And it looks beautiful. Seems happy on my kitchen window with afternoon sunlight. I did repot it about 2 years ago. Because it seemed to be to tight in its old container. I went a bit bigger. But it servived and is doing just great. But the containter does not have a hole. Is that a problem???? Please advise. What should I do since we are going into Fall. Todays date 8/3/2020
I always recommend a drainage hole. If you've had it that long and it looks good, keep doing what you're doing for now. The danger is that if you slip and add a lot of extra water, it has nowhere to go. I would recommend perhaps drilling a drainage hole at the bottom of your pot, or transferring it into a pot that has one. It's getting a little late in the season, but you could try it now, or wait until the Spring. Hope this helps!
When I repotted my palm, I noticed that there was a huge coiled whitish rope-like root around the bottom of the pot. I didn't know if I should cut this off. But the roots did not look like the ones in your pics with that rope-y root thing. Should I cut it off and repot? Also, how far above the soil should the cautx bulbs stick up? Halfway? Thanks!
Hello!
I seem to keep finding the most helpful info on your site; thank you!! In this case, my 15yr old potted ponytail palm, which I repotted in to a taller pot (plastic) to keep the leaves from dragging the ground, got over watered at one point. I skipped the watering for a few rounds and then continued, being more attentive.
The bottom leaves began turning all brown, and the top leaves are a super pale yellowish green/almost white. 😳 One of the 3 stalks turned brown just below the lighter growth and leaves began to fall from there. I went to repot and it’s completely dried out.
I’m not sure if I can save it but I’m going to try…what’s your best advice? Oh…the soil is almost completely off of the roots at this point, as well.
Did I go too far?
Thank you!
Hi Julie, I would need to see photos to best help, but are you sure you "overwatered" it? From everything you described, it sounds like it probably became very dehydrated.
Hello. I can’t seem to find anyone with my ponytail plant problem. The leaves on my ponytail froze off last winter. The mother survived, but has put on many pups on her own body, I mean MANY! Should I remove the pups surgically from mom or will this endanger all involved?
Thank you to anyone who feels willing to respond.
Nancy
You can definitely separate them. If you cut them off, allow them to dry for a few days and then stick in a pot with soil and they will root. You can keep them all together though if you want.
My ponytail palm is braking out of the pot. It’s 6 ft. and can I put it into a fabric pot? Can’t afford to put it into a clay pot and move!
Hi Laurie! Yes, I don't see why not. As long as there is good drainage, you should be fine!
Yiiiiiippeeeee, I did iiiiiit!!!!
My Ponytail Palm is a year old and doubled in size. (still in its nursery pot with signs of root bound.) Due to watering issues (daily yellow & brown leaf tips) I decided not to wait for spring/summer weather to repot. Within an hour the leaves were arching much higher ... as if to say THANK YOU Ohio Tropics!! 😍
Glad you had success Barbara! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My ponytail is suffering - I believe it was overwatered and now having a tough time recovering. It is over 5' tall - I'm thinking it need repotting but I would like your advise before I damage it more. Thanks
Hi Jan, I'm happy to help. Can you send me some photos? It will definitely help me provide guidance. If you can use the contact form on my site, and when I reply, you can attach the photos. Please describe everything you've done that you believe caused the problem, and other care details.
Thank you for sharing this blog post! It helps a lot.
You're very welcome Arthur!
I’ve had my ponytail palm for 9 years, repotted it once about 2 years ago. It’s doing great, however it has a baby on the root ball. And I don’t know what to do with it
Hi Ronda! You can leave it there if you don't mind it, otherwise if you just want a single-trunk specimen, just cut it off. You can even try propagating it after you cut it off.
The top got broke off the 30 yr old ponytail palm I have it was ok but then it got ripped down the side of top and now all leaves are dying it's way over due to be repotted but I'm in DESPERATE need of help fixing this plant or keeping it from dying. My daughter gave me this plant to care for it was her passed father in laws so it's very important I figure out what i can do to fix it. Thank you
Hi Tisha, I'm so sorry to hear about your plant 🙁 I'd have to see some photos to better help though. Please use the contact form on my website to email me. Once I respond back, you can attach photos and I can give you my best advice.
I just purchased a Ponytail Palm from a big box store. It was sitting in a huge puddle of water, I couldn’t leave it there!
I took it out of the pot and removed all of the dripping soil and let the roots dry a bit. The roots are not very big so it’s very wobbly in it’s new pot. (I used all of your recommendations!) I don’t want to water so soon since it was wet for a good two days at least. How can I secure it without completely covering the bulb under the dirt?
Hi Gisel! Once it starts to grow into the new soil, it will stabilize. But if it's a little wobbly, you can maybe stake it with a bamboo stick or something similar. Once it grows and seems more stable, you can remove it. Hope this helps!
Hi,
I've had my ponytail palm for years, my mom grew it from a baby. Two years ago I cut the plant almost in half because it was about 8 feet tall and was becoming much too hard getting it outside for the warmer weather. I know Clay pots are better for this plant but I would never be able to manage it. It has come back beautifully after cutting 4 feet off but I need to transplant it because the plastic container is cracked. I need advice on what other options I may have with choosing a new pot for it. The circumference at the bottom of this plant is about 40 inches!!! I read that these plants can grow on top of rocks in their native home outdoors. Can I repot this in a shallow container so I can move the plant easier? Thanks for any advice you can give. I wish I could include a photo so you can see what it looks like.
Hi Ingrid! Wow, that sounds like quite a specimen! Can you send me a photo? Either through Instagram DM or just use the contact form on my website, and then when I reply, you can send photos. Have you taken the plant out of the pot? Are there roots all the way to the bottom of the pot?
Hi there, I really enjoyed reading your repotting process. I am fairly new to the indoor plant scene I have a ponytail palm that I have had for about 8 months now. I noticed some roots are growing out of the drainage holes. I also noticed that the water is drying out sooner than before. Do you think that is time to repot or does it still have time in the planter? Please advise. Thank you so much!
These are good indications that your plant is pretty root bound. Only way to find out is take it out of the pot and see 🙂
My friend just gave me a ponytail palm and she repotted it before she gave it to me because she wanted to keep the nice pot it was in. But the bulb’s neck is even with the top of the soil. My past ponytail palms the bulb was almost sitting on top of the soil. What should I do? My friend has only been interested in plants for a pandemic year.... haha.... but I tried questioning her if the bulb was above or below soil level when she acquired it. And I didn’t get a true idea of if it was either one. What should I do? I don’t want to lose the plant, because I really - really like them. And some of the blade leaves have 3-4 inches of brown tips....but not that many. She used cactus/ succulent soil.
One more question. I have a really pretty bonsai pot, but it’s like a 10 inch width. Can I repot it in there and exactly how would I do that? Because it’s currently in a 6 inch pot. Bulb is about 4 inches wide I think! Hard to tell below the soil....oh it might be 3 inches wide.
Hi Sherie! The swollen base (called a caudex) should definitely not be under the soil line. I would just go ahead and repot it now if you can. You don't want to leave too much room though. If the caudex is only 3 inches in diameter, a 10 inch is much too large, although since you're using a bonsai pot, I'd imagine that it's not too deep so it'll offset it a bit. However, I would try and find a pot that would leave maybe two inches at the most, from the edge of the caudex (once you unearth it!) to the rim of the pot. I hope this helps and good luck!
I want to report my ponytail palm that has three bulbs, and have a pot that is 14" wide by 9 " deep. The current pot is 9" wide and also 9" deep. Since I am not adding depth, would the width be too much? Thanks!
My Brenda, that's a great question! I would say you're probably just fine, as long as your plant is getting plenty of light! Do you have it in a nice, sunny spot?
My neighbor tossed her 30 year ponytail plant out in the trash.. it was out of pot and the fonds are still very green..
the bulb is about 29'in circumference.. Roots are long and pale yellow AND DRY.. nY QUESTION FOR YOU IS WHAT SIZE POT SHOULD I USE AND SHOULD I SOAK THE ROOTS BEFORE POTTING.. IT HAS BEEN AN INDOOR PLANT BEFORE SHE THREW IT OUT.. tRYING TO SAVE IT THANKS
Hi Janice! I would place it in a pot that is just slightly bigger than the root ball. Maybe 2 inches or so bigger than the current diameter of the root ball now. You can soak the roots before repotting if they're terribly dry. Good luck!!!
@Raffaele,
My Ponytail Palm "seems" to be thriving. I bought it about 4 years ago. And it looks beautiful. Seems happy on my kitchen window with afternoon sunlight. I did repot it about 2 years ago. Because it seemed to be to tight in its old container. I went a bit bigger. But it servived and is doing just great. But the containter does not have a hole. Is that a problem???? Please advise. What should I do since we are going into Fall. Todays date 8/3/2020
I always recommend a drainage hole. If you've had it that long and it looks good, keep doing what you're doing for now. The danger is that if you slip and add a lot of extra water, it has nowhere to go. I would recommend perhaps drilling a drainage hole at the bottom of your pot, or transferring it into a pot that has one. It's getting a little late in the season, but you could try it now, or wait until the Spring. Hope this helps!