Question

Ponytail palm housepla   Our houseplant ponytail palm quickly developed a lot of brown areas on its crown leaves. I had done its monthly watering last week, giving it more water than usual due to Seattle's recent heat wave.

Thanks for any advice you can give us.

Karen

Answer
Dear Karen, This does look like a crown rot on your ponytail palm. The only other option, judging from the photo only, would be sun scorch but since this is a reported houseplant that would be unlikely.  If your plant is on a drip saucer, or in a container that holds water (to protect flooring or carpet), you must be very careful not to leave any water in the container.  Water the plant thoroughly but remove any water that drains into the saucer or pot.  Make sure the soil drains quickly.  To treat this condition, I would spray with a good fungicide probably once a week for about three weeks.  The condition might clear up on its own with drying and warming conditions, or the fungicide could help it from spreading, or sometimes this condition simply won't clear up, and the plant dies.  The affected leaves will not change back to green, but you will know that the plant is getting better if you have new unaffected growth.  You may want to cut those damaged leaves, but it does leave a gap in the plant.  I wish you luck, but only time will tell if the ponytail will overcome this condition.  Please write back if you have further questions.  Melissa