Repot but with a pot only slightly larger than the current one. They can grow in a small pot quite happily. I water mine when dry, however long that takes. In reality, it is about once a week in summer. Less so in winter although it depends on how cold you get. We have occasional frosts but no snow so I still water a little in winter. Lots of sun is best otherwise it will grow etoliated.

I agree, I would repot in a slightly larger pot with fresh, well draining soil to sustain it until it's warmer. They are hardy down to 23f but I would be more conservative, esp if. newly repotted or small & wet soil.

The brown leaves are at the bottom which is totally normal-mine is doing it too. Worry if new leaves are brown but it's natural to shed the bottom ones.

Nice looking plant!

Great, thanks guys! I'll repot and post a pic when done.

I was right! All roots. No soil. No wonder the leaves are drying up. About to repot.

Kate,

I hope you trimmed off (really, off) at least a 1/3 of that root ball before you repotted. If not, I suggest you do - it will rebound and start growing faster with them removed. Personally, I'd get rid of 1/2 of it.

Oh boy. I did not. Given that I'm in Connecticut, would it be better to wait until spring to trim the roots? Or are seasons not an issue with this type of plant?

Kate,

Sure, that's an excellent idea - wait until April. Also, make sure your soil is porous - that way you can put it outside in your area for the late spring / summer, and its growth will be incredible as it can take advantage of the summer rains and sun.

Awesome, thanks! Should I allow it direct, part, or min sun?

Also, should I trim all long brown tips or leave them?

Some sun for a week, then more sun for a week, then full sun until it's chilly (near freezing). Outside and subject to summer rains while in a pot of easily-draining soil would be an ideal environment. Most ideal would be in the ground in the summer, but since that's a PITA (pain in the a@#$) because you have to dig it up in the fall, a good compromise would be to put that pot into the ground partially (or into another, larger pot that has soil) for it to sit into and take advantage of some of the good things a PIG'd (planted in ground) plant has.

The brown tips are part of the plant's growth, but if you need to, cut them. My choice is to leave them, but I'm lazy.

Thanks so much for all the info! I'll leave the brown ends. I'll repot it with trimmed roots in spring, and set it outside after slowly acclimating it to full sun. The planting it in ground thing is interesting. I think I'm too lazy for that though. ;)

Which is precisely my reason for digging a pit in the ground / potted earth and putting the pot in the pit. Laziness with summer-growing pachycauls is no vice.

Kate - I think it's the right choice to leave the brown ends and roots until spring. Just discard the completely dry leaves to keep the plant tidy and let the drying ones take care of themselves.

It's riskier to repot now and while the palm isn't in optimal health there doesn't seem any danger of it dying. Lots of time left in winter to research root pruning, getting the right tools, and maybe even considering a better mix.

In spring you will probably need sturdy chopsticks (I like metal ones), pruners (sharp, double bladed kind), hose sprayer, and a helping hand to do the job. There is a great deal of helpful threads in the Houzz/Gardenweb Container Forum about this topic.

Lots of people in this forum frequent that one too and are very experienced growers. =)

Palms are naturally used to a steady watering - they grow on river banks. Don't let it dry out and make sure you have excellent drainage.

I have a question since i have 3 pony tail palm that live indoors now. I moved back here from florida and took my plants with me. The problem is i just moved into a new apartment and i only get about an hour of sun. Can i use a plant light bulb with my 3 palms?

Absolutely! Can’t hurt. All of my palms have been doing better since adding plant lights in my room.

Ponytail palms are succulents not palms so ignore the advice about palms above. Ponytails do NOT like steady watering. They like to get completely dried out.

You do realise you are responding to a thread from last year?

I’m glad they responded to that comment.

Since I moved in October to a new place my palms seems to not be very happy I see pictures of it when it was younger and it was flourishing so I decided to take it out if it's old pot and the Roots seem very thin and very brittle can I save this mind you the base of the plant is not mushy it seems to be very firm and there are actual new leaves growing out of the center of it but the roots don't look healthy to me

Jessie, are you able to add a pic?