Question
hi,

I'd really like to know what kind of plant this is, and how to keep
it healthy. Here's a picture:

http://ascii-turf.net/plant.jpg

I think it's doing ok - a fair number of new leaves are coming up
- but also a lot of the leaves seem to break low down. It's not in
a position where it gets knocked about, they just seem to break
under their own weight.

I'm keeping it in a room that gets a little direct sunlight first
thing in the morning during summer and otherwise is quite
bright. note that i've kept the plant out of direct sun so far - i
don't know why.

Any tips greatly appreciated. I've seen bigger versions of this
type of plant (different species) and I love them, so i'm kind of
hoping to keep this one going...

thanks,
Garry

p.s. i'm living in buenos aires, argentina so the weather is pretty
good. a cold winter's day is about 10 degrees C, a summer's day
can get up to, i don't know, 35 maybe and the air is normally
pretty humid.

Answer
Garry,

It is a  very young Beaucarnea recurvata, aka, Elephant Foot Palm or Ponytail Palm.

It love direct sun, the more the better. If it gets sun the leaves will stay shorter and tend to break off less. Although the lower leaves do turn brown as they age and as they are removed the trunk is revealed.  This plant is slow growing but eventually gets up to 12 feet tall or more. That would take about 20 years. The base of the plant stores water. The plant is considered a succulent and likes to dry out totally for several day between waterings. You can kill the plant by overwatering but not by underwatering. For more information you can go to Google and put in "Beaucarnea recurvata care" and it will come up with several sites.  If you have any further questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene