Beaucarnea (Nolina) guatemalensis
Common Names: Red Ponytail Palm, Elephant's Foot, and Bottle Palm

Beaucarnea are easy to grow plants that are very popular as a container plants, bonsai, or landscape specimens. These strange yet attractive succulents are extremely drought tolerant, water is stored in the plant's swollen base. They will tolerant light frost and can be grown in the landscape in Zones 9-12. Beaucarnea thrives in full sun, but can be grown light shade and high humidity, provided the plant has adequate drainage. Plant in very fast draining soil, allow the soil to dry out between watering and provide little or no water in winter.

There are ten species of strange palm-like succulents within the genus Beaucarnea (a.k.a. Nolina). They are all small trees with woody trunks and swollen caudiciform bases. They occur naturally throughout Mexico and Guatemala. They have very tiny teeth along the edges of the leaves that give them a rough feel. Mature plants produce branched inflorescence carrying numerous small flowers.

Beaucarnea live a very long time and it is not uncommon to see 20-30 year old potted and landscape specimens. Beaucarnea usually produce a single branchless trunk but can produce a few branches or trunks with age. They are succulents, not palms and are related to Agave and Yucca. They are spectacular accent plants that blend well in either tropical or arid gardens.

Beaucarnea guatemalensis - The Red Ponytail Palm leaves emerge bright red turning a bright green as they mature. It is very similar in appearance to B.recurvata but it is slower growing and hardier. Plants are most commonly single trunk with a huge swollen base topped with bright green leaves that spiral down from the central crown. The leaves grow to 6 feet long but are only about inch wide. Plants will usually grow to 6-8 feet tall when in containers. When planted outdoors the ponytail palm can grow slowly to 30 feet high with a base that is 12 feet across. Native to semi-desert regions of Guatemala it is hardy to about 20 F degrees, but will survive lower.

Beaucarnea guatemalensis
Common Names: Red Ponytail Palm, Elephant's Foot, and Bottle Palm

Cold hardy to about 20° F, USDA Zone 9-12 - Full Sun or Light Shade - Plant in very fast draining soil and provide little or no water in winter. Treat like a succulent.