Beaucarnea symbolises unbending strength
A Beaucarnea is a forceful and strong plant, demonstrating that ‘what you see is what you get’. It is a staunch toughie that you can rely on and trust and is one of the real stalwarts of the plant kingdom. It asks a little, but gives a lot, reason enough to crown this characteristic plant with its broad base and the striking head of long, curly leaves as the Houseplant of the Month for January.

Slowly, but surely and perseveringly, the Beaucarnea grows and grows. This imperturbable plant lets nothing upset it and is one of the main reasons why a Beaucarnea is often given as a gift to first-year students or to people moving to a new home because it is a symbol of unbending strength and can take being knocked.

Elephant’s foot
This plant has two scientific names: Nolina for the young plants and Beaucarnea for the adults. Beaucarnea is often nicknamed the Elephant’s foot, owing to the broad bulbous root at the bottom of the plant’s stem, which does indeed resemble an elephant’s foot. Although this plant can grow into a tree of eight metres high in its natural habitat in the United States and South America, it will not become elephant-sized in your home.

Your faithful friend
This staunch toughie also won its reputation for perseverance by being amazingly undemanding. A light spot and a little water are enough to guarantee a faithful friend for many years - it prefers a spot with lots of sun and likes a temperature between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius. The Beaucarnea can store water in its roots and stem meaning periods of drought aren’t an issue. In fact, it can survive for a period of months without water but it would prefer you to water it and pay a little attention occasionally and it will reward you with true fidelity.