Elephant's-foot (Beaucarnea recurvata) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Elephant's-foot is a houseplant more often sold in the United States as ponytail palm, named for its long, cascading leaves. The swollen trunk stores water, and the plant is not a true palm. Wild populations in Mexico are critically endangered.

Appearance

Appearance: The trunk flares into a wide base that stores water. Long, narrow leaves spill from its top like a fountain.
Leaves: Older leaves curl or twist as they hang down.

Look-alikes

Spineless yuccaYucca gigantea

Spineless yucca (Yucca gigantea) has shorter, more upright sword-shaped leaves. Elephant's-foot has much longer, narrower leaves that spill downward; its swollen base is clearest on older plants.

Why they get mixed upBoth are U.S. houseplants with a woody trunk and a tuft of leaves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: indoor pots
sunny patios
warm outdoor gardens
Range: Native to Mexico, it is grown as a houseplant across the United States and outdoors in warm, dry places such as Southern California.
Preferred conditions: It grows best with sun and fast-draining soil; outdoor landscape use is suited to 9–10.

Life cycle

Reproduction: Mature plants may grow tall sprays of small, pale flowers.

Growing it

Care: Let the potting mix dry between waterings, especially in winter. Indoor plants rarely bloom.

Name and classification

About the name: Older horticultural sources may use Nolina recurvata for this same species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: CRCritically EndangeredOn the brink of extinction in the wild

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The broad base gives the plant its elephant's-foot name.

11 sources