Whether you want to grow a thoughtful gift for a friend or just need more greenery for your home office, propagating your own Ponytail Palm is a super rewarding project. Since these indoor favorites rarely bloom, you won’t have much luck waiting for seeds. Instead, the best way to get a “baby” plant is by using side shoots, often called “pups.”
Harvesting Your Cuttings
Before you start, make sure your main plant is ready for the job. Ideally, your Ponytail Palm should be at least three or four years old and have a trunk at least 8 inches (20 cm) tall so that taking a cutting doesn’t stress it out too much.
Look for a healthy side shoot that has leaves about 6 inches (15 cm) long. The best time for pruning these cuttings is during the summer when the plant is in its peak growing phase and the shoots are at their strongest.
Once you’ve found the perfect candidate, here’s what to do:
- Use a sharp, sterilized knife to cut the side shoot off.
- Make the cut right against the main trunk.
- Ensure the base of your cutting has a bit of “woody” stem attached.
- Trim the long leaves down to about 2 inches (5 cm) to help the plant focus its energy on growing roots.
Planting the Cutting
To get your new plant started, you’ll need a few supplies:
- A small pot (no more than 4 inches high).
- Loose, moist seed-starting mix or cactus soil.
- A clear plastic bag or a humidity dome.
- A bright spot that stays out of direct sunlight.
Follow these steps to get it in the ground:
- Fill your pot loosely with the starting mix.
- Insert the woody end of the cutting about 2 inches deep into the soil.
- Press the soil down firmly around the base so the cutting stays upright.
- Mist the top of the plant with a little water.
- Cover the whole thing with your plastic bag or dome to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
Caring for Your New Plant
The “hands-off” phase lasts until the cutting has established roots. The greenhouse environment under the cover keeps things nice and humid, so you don’t need to do much. Once you see new growth or feel resistance when you give the plant a tiny tug, it’s time to remove the cover. Now, your young Ponytail Palm is ready for a permanent
- bright
- warm location
- with some gentle morning or evening sun.
As for the long-term care routine, keep these tips in mind:
- Water sparingly (it’s better to keep these guys on the dry side than too wet).
- Wait about six weeks before fertilizing for the first time.
- From then on, give it some liquid nutrients every four weeks until early October.
