Hi I am a little lost in identifying my plant, which I have kept alive by luck not judgement for 4 years through 4 apartment/house moves. Lately though it seems to be suffering. Would anyone know what it is and how I should care for it? Re pot it? Best position for it? Should I cut off the extra side growths? (4th picture) it stands around 5ft 6inches tall nd used to grow upward only. Now though it has started two side shoots, although there is still new groth at the top. Having moved from an apartment to a house I am happy for this fellow to grow as big as he likes! thanks Mick
A beautiful, large Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata, regardless of what the current fad-name is). It may take some adjusting depending on what conditions you moved it from, and what you've moved it to. These will take all the sun you can throw at them in New York. You might could bump it up one pot size, but water it thoroughly once a week or so, depending on what you're dealing with for sunlight. It's largely based on what your individual conditions are.
What fad name is that? The correct name is Beaucarnea recurvata. Nolina recurvata is a long obsolete synonym that still persists in the horticultural trade. The species is a desert plant and needs a lot of light to grow well and does not make for a very good "house plant".
