Question
Will....

I HAVE A PONY TAIL PALM THAT IS OVER 40 INCHES TALL AND BEAUTIFUL.
I HAVE HAD IT FOR YEARS, AND WATER IT VERY SELDOM, AND WHEN I DO THE WATER GOES
ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER.
BECAUSE OF THIS DO I NEED TO REPOT??

THANKS.

BOB TEMPLE

Answer
Hi Bob,

No, there is no need to repot or to change anything else you have been doing. Your Ponytail Palm is thriving so don't try to "fix" anything.

When watering, water should go to the bottom of the pot. I hope your pot has a drain hole.

Only when a plant is so rootbound that it gets completely dried out in a day or two following a thorough watering should repotting be considered. Ponytails have small root systems and they thrive on drought (the bulb stores water), but do not tolerate over watering. Unnecessary repotting adds soil that retains moisture for too long and leads to root rot.

I have written articles on repotting and on Ponytail Palm care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com