Does a Ponytail Palm Bonsai Grow Tall?

by Amy Rodriguez

With white flowers appearing on only a large ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), which can reach 30 feet tall, the tree is grown as a bonsai plant mainly for its distinct trunk and foliage. Its swollen trunk base and narrow leaves creating a bushy hairdo across its limbs make the succulent a featured indoor decoration. Although a ponytail palm growing in the ground outdoors towers over some other plants where it is hardy, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 12, an indoor bonsai ponytail palm does not grow tall.

Container Influence

A ponytail palm is naturally slow-growing, making it suitable for bonsai cultivation. Its container often dictates its final size. For example, a small pot prevents the tree's roots from spreading for anchorage and sustenance. As a result, the ponytail palm remains small. Its potting soil should not hold moisture for too long or the succulent may succumb to growth stunting and die-back. Prevent root rot and soggy soil by using a cactus-based potting mix. In general, a 2-to-1-to-1 ratio of loam, peat moss and sand works well as a potting mix to keep a ponytail palm's roots nourished and healthy.

Indoor Environment

Even though a bonsai ponytail palm does not grow tall, it needs a proper location for normal photosynthesis, or energy production. Put it in a room with bright light, such as a room with a south-facing window. Water the succulent's soil only every two weeks, and only if it needs water then. The soil should be dry before you water it. The tree's swollen base acts as a water storage container. Overwatering often leads to growth stunting and decay. During spring, summer and fall, the tree's room should remain above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can drop as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit during winter. When indoors, a ponytail palm is more vulnerable to poor watering practices than extreme temperature swings.

Pruning Techniques

Pruning your bonsai ponytail palm periodically will prevent it from having a messy appearance. Because extreme cold and extreme heat are not factors for the indoor plant, it can be pruned anytime. Top the succulent with pruning shears to remove unwanted growth as new leaves appear along the plant's trunk. Remove only part of the new growth during each pruning session, however. If all new growth is pruned at one time, the tree won't photosynthesize properly or sustain a healthy appearance. Size control is a side effect of pruning, keeping the bonsai compact through its years.

Repotting for Growth

Repot your bonsai ponytail palm in a larger pot if you want to encourage it to grow taller. With the larger environment, its roots can spread and access the additional oxygen, moisture and nutrients needed for growth. Repot your bonsai in spring or summer to take advantage of the bright sunlight those times of year. The tree will use the sunlight to recover from transplant stress. Do not repot the tree too frequently, however. Moving it to a new pot every two years won't harm it.

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