Question
My husband got me this beautiful plant for Valentine's Day. Do I need to remove the plant from the original pot (dried moss and glued pebbles) and put it in one that has drainage holes? Is water the only nurishment it needs or does it also need special soil, food, etc? Thanks, Bonnie

Answer
Hi Bonnie,

The Ponytail Palm that you received was set up to look pretty. But it was also set up for failure, because of the pebbled covering and pot without drain holes. The former will prevent you from determining when the soil is dry and the latter will keep you from knowing how much water to add each time you do water.

It is important that you disturb the roots as little as possible while you try to remove the glued pebbles from the surface and move the plant to a pot with drainage holes. It will not be easy, but you really don't have a choice.

Use a knife or metal spatula to pry underneath the glued pebbles so you can remove them. Do this before you take the plant out of its pot.

If the soil underneath is dry, then water it. Then use a knife to separate the soil from the sides of the pot. The goal is to get the soil and roots to come out of the pot in one intact piece. If the soil and roots fall apart, then the roots are probably underdeveloped and the root hairs will be damaged. That is teh risk that is involved.

Look for a new planter that is the same size and shape as the existing pot, but one with at least one drainage hole. If you have a way to drill a hole in the existing pot, then you can continue to use it. Repot the root and soil ball into the new pot, using as little fresh soil as possible. If you have to add any new soil it should be a porous, sandy cactus mix.

Use plain water, but once per month add any standard plant food at half the recommended strength.

If you don't want to go through all this and risk losing the plant, perhaps your husband can exchange the plant for one that is more conventionally potted and easier to manage.

I have written an article on Ponytail Palms that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends 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