Has anyone here on this forum grown this plant in the ground in your yard?

I have 3 and want to just grow them in the ground. I am wondering if they would survive in zone 9b FL? How large is their root system? I don't know whether to plant them near the house or away from my house. Near the septic or away from the septic drain field? How big can the caudex get?

I am also wondering if I have B. recurvata or B. guatermalensis? Does anyone know how to tell the difference?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Have you looked at pics out there?
https://www.google.com/search?...

I think this is my fav pic:
http://www.growsonyou.com/phot...

Those should help you place it regarding appearance, but I have no idea what's going on under the ground with these.

There's a teeny-tiny one in a raised planter on my front porch that has survived temps in the teens under a sheet. The first time was a few weeks ago, and it's happened a couple times. Both times it was below freezing for about 48 hours. No sign of any damage yet.

What do you get where you are? A very occasional, very light frost?

Tiffany - Thanks for the links! I believe my 3 Ponytail Palms are Beaucarnea recurvata because the leaves are solid green. B. guatemalensis seems to have reddish leaves as they emerge from the trunk.

I have a feeling they have a pretty massive root system as the little ones I have surprised me. One of the pots broke and I pulled the plant out and could see all the roots. Impressive for a succulent.

I am reading that they could get quite large. 6' diameter caudex and as high as 50'. Yikes! Much bigger than I was thinking. Maybe I need to keep mine in pots?

They are very slow growing and in my experience the root system is not very big or invasive. I would give it a try.

Thanks, Hetty.

My neighbor planted hers in the ground and it looks like she is going to have to dig up because it is growing bigger and faster than she thought it would. I have read that it stays smaller in a pot, whereas in the ground they can get big.

I think I will plant one in the ground and keep the other two in pots. I do love this plant!

Becky: I think you should definitely give it a try in-ground! You are quite a ways south of me in Sebastian so I'm sure they will do fine there as I've even seen a few large ones here in Daytona Beach that have survived our occasional cold winters. I have two B. recurvata that I've talked about planting out for a few years now which I still haven't done ... maybe this spring I'll get around to it. Here's the database link for Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

I live in Corpus Christi, TX--Zone 9b and I see them all over the place down here. If you can control the water by amending your soil to make it faster draining where you are planting it, I think it would absolutely THRIVE in your Florida environment! It's a really beautiful tree when it gets over 5 ft tall. No two of them seem to be the same, either. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes!

My little tree is still alive and well in its' always-outside planter...

What did you ever decide, Becky?

Well, I haven't done anything yet. Main reason is I am not sure where in my yard to plant it. I know that they do in fact do quite well in the ground here. I have seen some in other folk's yards in my community and they do look great. Mine isn't even in a pot now. It has been sitting on my screened porch all summer and now into Fall with bare roots exposed. Not in direct sunlight. Crazy!!! Most plants would have died by now. Not this species! LOL! If I don't figure out where to plant it soon, I will just pot it up again before winter (colder weather hits) to protect the roots. And then try to figure out where to plant it next Spring.

Sorry Becky as I'm not contributing to your question, but I wanted to tell you that I love your quote!

Planto

Planto -

I think this has happened to every outdoor gardener at some point. The potted plant that has vague plans to go in the ground, but sometimes never does, or takes forever (sometimes years) to make a decision. It definitely happens.

Ponytail palm is such a slow grower..I have one in a container..hardly any discernible increase in size, just really big hard fat trunk and this Fall I do notice it is making some more new leaves..finally! Something to show it is truly alive

Becky - have you ever been to Rock City Gardens, on US 1. I believe it is just south of Sebastian. I could be wrong and it could be just north. It's been a while since I visited the nursery - which I really like as they have a lot of unusual plants. Anyway, they have a massive pony tail in the ground. I don't have a picture of it, but I'll try to remember to do so next time I visit. I have never seen such a huge specimen.

Elfie - Yes! I used to live up in Melbourne. I am way south of Rockledge. About 50 miles south. I used to frequent RCN when I lived in Brevard County. I don't remember the Ponytail Palm though. Maybe it was small the last time I visited which was probably about 10-12 years ago. I can't even remember it's been so long ago. At the time, they had a screened-in Butterfly area with many nectar and host plants and lots of butterfly species inside the enclosure. That's what I remember. I bought some of my first hummingbird plants from them for my home in Sebastian. The Cape Honeysuckle are the only survivors after all these years. And they are indeed a hummer attraction!

I would love to see a photo of the Ponytail Palm they have there. I really like the idea, my problem is WHERE to plant it. My backyard is pretty much filled in with garden beds and trees. So no room there. I have to be careful in my front yard because of my septic drain field. Maybe along one side of my house. Though I have trees on both sides. So .... that is my dilemma. I think it would be neat to grow one in the ground and let it get big. I know I would like it much larger and in the ground!