The Ponytail Palm (botanically known as *Beaucarnea recurvata*) hails from the sunny landscapes of Mexico. In its native habitat, it thrives in hot, dry regions like steppes and semi-deserts. Because of those tropical roots, this plant has absolutely no idea what “winter hardy” means in a colder climate!
How Cold is Too Cold?
Since the Ponytail Palm is a natural sun-worshipper that loves the heat, it really struggles when the frost and chill of winter set in. In fact, even those crisp autumn nights can be a bit much for it. Its “comfort zone” bottoms out at about 50°F (10°C)—which is a far cry from a typical winter low. To keep your plant happy year-round, try to stick to these temperature minimums:
- 60°F (15°C) during the day
- 50°F (10°C) at night
These temperature guidelines apply whether your plant is hanging out indoors or spending the summer on the patio.
Watch Out for Temperature Swings
Beyond just the overall thermometer reading, the Ponytail Palm is pretty sensitive to sudden temperature changes during the winter. If you have it sitting right next to a window or a balcony door that you open frequently for fresh air, your plant isn’t going to be a happy camper. The leaves facing the draft will often turn brown, and in the worst-case scenario, the plant might even start dropping them.
Cold Feet (and Too-Warm Feet!)
If your Ponytail Palm gets hit with regular drafts, its leaves will start to discolor. But it’s not just the air—cold coming from below is also a problem. If your plant is sitting on a poorly insulated floor, that chill can seep through the bottom of the pot and freeze the roots. To prevent this, give your plant a little “lift” in the winter by placing it on a plant caddy or even a piece of styrofoam.
You should also take these precautions if you have underfloor heating or if the pot is sitting near a heater pipe. The combination of “hot feet” and “cold head” makes for one very stressed-out plant!
Dealing with the Dark Season
Between the fog, rain, snow, and shorter days, late fall and winter can feel pretty gloomy. That lack of light doesn’t just affect our moods—it hits the Ponytail Palm hard, too. To stay truly “happy,” this plant craves at least five hours of bright sun a day. From October through March, you’ll want to:
- Give it as much natural light as humanly possible
- Consider setting up a grow light if your space is a bit dim
