The ponytail palm is an incredibly unique and eye-catching plant, but it can be tricky to find in stores Luckily, there are several other plants that share a similar aesthetic to the ponytail palm In this article, we’ll explore 8 beautiful plants that can serve as great alternatives or companions to the ponytail palm.
What is a Ponytail Palm?
The ponytail palm, also known as elephant’s foot palm or bottle palm, is a succulent plant native to eastern Mexico. It gets its name from its thick, swollen base that tapers up into a thin trunk topped with a fountain of long, curved, green leaves. The leaves elegantly drape down like a ponytail, giving it a very distinctive appearance unlike any other plant.
Ponytail palms are popular indoor plants due to their unique look and easy care. They require very little watering and can thrive in low light conditions. Their slow growth rate also makes them suitable houseplants since they don’t quickly outgrow their space.
8 Ponytail Palm Lookalikes
Finding a ponytail palm at your local nursery can be hit or miss. If you’ve struggled to get your hands on one, consider one of these excellent ponytail palm alternatives
1. Dragon Tree
The dragon tree is often mistaken for a ponytail palm at first glance. Like the ponytail palm, it has a thick trunk that slims at the top where long, green leaves emerge. The leaves elegantly drape down in a similar fountain shape.
However, while ponytail palm leaves are curly, dragon tree leaves are straight and smooth. Dragon trees also grow much taller, reaching up to 20 feet, compared to the ponytail palm’s average height of 4-10 feet.
2. Yucca
Certain yucca species, like the yucca cane have a very ponytail palm-esque appearance. They have a thick, tree-like trunk with a rosette of long thin leaves at the top. The leaves are straighter than a ponytail palm, but they have a similar dangling effect.
There are also subtle variations between yucca species that can mimic the ponytail. For example, the beaked yucca’s blue-green leaves elegantly curl down like a ponytail.
3. Sago Palm
The sago palm is often confused for a true palm, but it’s not. It’s a cycad that has feathery evergreen foliage that emerges from the top of a thick trunk, looking like a green fountain. This gives it a very ponytail-like appearance.
However, sago palm leaves radiate outward, while ponytail palms leaves dangle down. Sagos also stay much shorter, under 10 feet tall.
4. Cardboard Palm
Another cycad often mixed up with ponytail palms is the cardboard palm. It has the same thick, tapering trunk and rosette of leaves on top. The leaves are fern-like and resemble mini ponytails springing up from the crown.
Cardboard palms max out around 6 feet tall, so they are closer in scale to ponytail palms. Their bushier foliage contrasts nicely with the ponytail’s dangling leaves.
5. Ponytail Palm
No ponytail palm lookalike list would be complete without including the ponytail palm’s very close cousin, Beaucarnea recurvata. This species is almost identical to the standard ponytail, with the same swollen base and fountain of leaves.
However, its leaves are slightly thinner and more tightly curled than the typical ponytail palm. It tends to stay shorter as well, under 6 feet tall. It’s an excellent ponytail alternative for tighter spaces.
6. Traveler’s Palm
Native to Madagascar, the distinct traveler’s palm has massive, fan-shaped leaves on long petioles that create the look of a palm. But it’s not a true palm tree. This gives it a ponytail-esque appearance, but its stiff leaves contrast with the ponytail’s drooping foliage.
The traveler’s palm also has a unique, practical function. Its leaves collect and funnel rainfall down the trunk so thirsty travelers can drink the water.
7. Madagascar Palm
Another Madagascar native, the Madagascar palm looks so much like a ponytail palm it’s almost unbelievable it’s not related. It has the same swollen trunk base that tapers into a skinny stem topped with a fountain of leaves.
However, its leaves are slightly wider and more upright compared to the dangling ponytail foliage. It’s a bit more tree-like than the ponytail palm as well, growing up to 10 feet tall.
8. Banana Palm
No, not the banana tree you eat – this inedible banana palm has long, paddle-shaped leaves that emerge from a very palm-esque trunk. This gives it an appearance not unlike a ponytail palm.
However, banana palm leaves are much wider and oriented vertically. It’s an excellent tall alternative to ponytail palms, growing up to 25 feet outside.
Ponytail Palm Alternatives For Any Space
Finding ponytail palm lookalikes lets you mimic its beautiful, sculptural appearance even when you can’t locate the real deal. Whether you want an identical twin or an intriguing companion plant, alternatives like the dragon tree, yucca, and Madagascar palm will help you recreate the ponytail’s elegant fountain of leaves.
With varying heights and leaf shapes, ponytail palm alternatives open up your options for creative pairings and arrangements. Mixing lookalikes together or alongside the real ponytail creates captivating, layered displays. You can enjoy the ponytail palm aesthetic even without the true species.
So next time you search for a ponytail palm, consider branching out and trying one of its stunning doppelgangers. Your indoor garden or landscape will benefit from the unique textures and forms. And if you do find a true ponytail palm, it will pair splendidly with its lookalike cousins.
Ponytail Palm (AKA Wonder Woman in a Pot) With a flip of her long tresses,
ZZ plant’s shiny dark green leaves are so sturdy, thick, and waxy and almost look plastic. This is one of the toughest houseplants around, and the ideal choice for low-light areas of your home or office.
If plants could talk: “My formal name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, but my friends call me ZZ plant for short. I’m what you might call “easy going.” Low light, low humidity, inconsistent watering — it’s all good…”
If you are looking for big impact when it comes to plants, try Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema). Not only is this plant a big leafy tough guy, he’s also easy to grow and one of the best choice for plant newbies. Chinese evergreen thrives in nearly every indoor condition — living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Ponytail Palm Paradise: Discover & Care for This Unique Plant!
FAQ
Are there different kinds of ponytail palms?
Types of Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata– This is the most common type of Ponytail Palm, with a single trunk and a tuft of leaves at the top. Beaucarnea guatemalensis- This cultivar has a more pronounced swollen trunk, with thinner and smoother leaves. Beaucarnea gracilis- This cultivar has a smaller, bulbous trunk.
What plant looks like a palm but isn t?
Cycads in particular look very palm like but are a completely different family of plants, in fact one that is very much more prehistoric than palms, existing at the time of the dinosaurs long before palms evolved.
What is the lifespan of a ponytail palm?
Ponytail palms are known for their impressive longevity, with a lifespan that can range from several decades to over 100 years.