Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea) Care: Sun, Water, and Breaking Leaves

Succulent care: Let soil dry completely (days) between deep waterings.
Mix: 2 parts potting soil + 1 part perlite + 1 part coarse sand.
Pot: Shallow, wide pot with drainage. The base stores water.

Your plant is a young Beaucarnea recurvata (Elephant Foot Palm). The breaking leaves are due to insufficient light.

Fix the Breakage

Move to direct sun: South/west window, or outdoors in summer. More light = shorter, sturdier leaves.
Rotate weekly for even growth.

Slow grower—12+ feet in 20 years. Lower leaves naturally brown and drop, revealing the trunk. Never overwater; that's the #1 killer.

Search "Beaucarnea recurvata care" for more.

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