Ponytail Palm has a huge swollen 'elephant foot' caudex with interestingly fissured bark—this is an adaptation to store water in its arid Mexican habitat. It isn't actually a palm but is related to yucca and needs similar treatment. Water frequently during summer, allowing the compost to dry out inbetween, and then sparingly during winter. If kept dry Beaucarnea recurvata can tolerate a good deal of frost but if even a little damp the bulbous stem will rot. All beaucarnea make slow growing, adaptable and tolerant specimens for the summer patio, house, conservatory or greenhouse.