Question
I have a ponytail that was given to me by my grandma, and until now I have never had any problems keeping it healthy. It has been healthy for eight years that I have had it, with long, thick green leaves on two separate limbs or branches. About 6 weeks ago, I had to move, and it as well. Previously it was placed infront of an average sized bedroom window, and now it is infront of a door with a half window.  It is the only location in the garage apartment that has light.  I have tried to put it outside during warm days, although winter is coming, just so it can get light. The apartment it is in is very dry recently, ie winter heating.  I have possibly watered it too often, but I thought it was drying because of the heat It has two main branches, and Sadly I just pulled off loose leaves from one branch so that there are no more at that location.  The leaves are not neccessarily brown or rotten, they just got thin, dry,unhealthy looking and then turned brown at tips, and crumbled off easily from the base.  Maybe I should not have, but I have pulled off dead and dying looking leaves.As I said, now of the two branches, one is leafless and the other looks like it doesnt have much longer.  I can possibly move plant to another location, where I work, which has large windows so that maybe it can survive.  It has only been in just a few pots its liftime, and I have have repotted it once, many years ago.  I checked bottom of pot, and although slightly moist, it does not have standing water. It seems as if I may kill a perfectly fine plant that until I moved was just wonderfully healthy. Please, is there any advice that you might have for me to save this really cool plant?
I would really be grateful if you have anything to share!
:) Jana

Answer
Hi Jana,

I am afraid that the prognosis for your ponytail is not good. Try not to blame yourself.

Here is what happened. Plants are stable things and often struggle when relocated. Not only does the light change, but so does their need for water. In your case, the plant went to a lower light situation where it may not have received even the minimum light required. In reduced light, a plant uses less water and if you didn't water less frequently, then the roots have probably rotted out. The symptoms certainly suggest that.

Moving the plant in and out is also very stressful for a plant. It is always preferable to find a location for a plant where it gets adequate light and then leave it there.

If you had realized that you had a problem before the two stems lost all or most of their leaves, it might have been possible to propagate those stems, but at this point it is too late.

I am sorry I don't have better news for you, but I don't want to provide false expectations and have you take extreme measures that will not succeed.

I commend you for taking such good care of the ponytail for the eight years that you had it.


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

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