Beaucarnea Recurvata (Ponytail palm)

Beaucarnea recurvata, the elephant's foot or ponytail palm, is a species of plant in the family Asparagaceae. The species was native to numerous states of eastern Mexico but is now confined to the state of Veracruz. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms.

Although it's able to survive with little water and care, it does best if watered frequently and as the plant is very slow-growing anyway it's a good idea not to treat it poorly if you can help it.These are super tactile plants and the leaves just invite you to run your fingers through them. The good news is that they'll put up with a bit of affection like this from time to time and they're not toxic to people or animals.

That said, all of this plant can look like a fun play toy for your cat. The brown stem resembles a scratching post and the ribbon-like leaves can be irresistible for playful cats. Keep your Ponytail Palm away from your pets for your plant's health and good looks.

These are very slow-growing houseplants which tend to make them more expensive than other plants of a similar size. Small young plants will be reasonably priced, but more impressive looking plants will be significantly more. They make a good statement plant and can live for decades if treated properly so it can be a good investment.

The Ponytail Palm is so well adapted to storing water, you may find it listed as either a succulent or a foliage plant. In temperate regions of the world, it may be sold as a garden rather than an indoor plant.