Pruning a Ceiling-High Ponytail Palm

A ponytail palm (Beaucarnea) at 9 feet can be cut back to 4 feet. It will sprout multiple new shoots; keep the strongest 1–2 to form a new crown.

Method

1. Cut trunk at 4 feet with clean, sharp saw.
2. Allow cut to callus a day.
3. Place in bright light.
4. Water sparingly until new growth appears.
5. Select best new shoots; remove others.

The plant responds well to hard pruning. No need to repot unless pot breaks.