Have you ever had plants so long that you almost stop noticing them?  It's especially easy to do if they are low maintenance plants.  My Pony Tail Palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, has lived on my covered front porch for over 30 years.  It even survived a severe freeze period from December 1990 to January 1991.  We lost many trees or parts of trees that winter in Fairfield.  My Pony Tail froze its top but later two branches appeared, lower down on its trunk.

It's actually not a true palm.  Some other common names are Bottle Palm and Elephant's Foot Palm.  The Pony Tail name is because the long, narrow leaves cascade down from the center top of the trunk.  The Elephant Foot name refers to the swelling at the base of the trunk; this area can store water allowing the plant to be drought tolerant.

It's native to Mexico and some parts of Central America. In the ground, the plant can grow to 30 feet but growth is slowed in containers.  In pots it usually tops out at 6-10 feet.

I rarely fertilize my plant, but finally decided I would use some as the plant was looking a bit tired.  A few weeks later, as I was rushing by, I stopped and did a double-take.  Something was different, like a foot and a half different. There was a long, narrow, asparagus- like bloom spike emerging from the top central portion of the leaves.  Well, this was certainly interesting.

I started researching and found that it wasn't uncommon for older plants to bloom, even those in pots.  Over the weeks I watched the bloom spike continue to expand and open.  The tiny buds opened to reveal small, delicate cream-colored petals.  These were frequently visited by dark colored, small, narrow, winged insects that moved very quickly. Despite numerous attempts, I could not get a good photograph.  As of the end of September, the bloom spike is drying up and I will cut it off soon.

This whole experience has made me look at this plant with new eyes.  My old friend has given me an unexpected gift and I am grateful.  And hopefully we will have many more years together. It's not that unusual for a ponytail palm to outlive its owner as these plants are so long-lived. If you would like more information on these plants, there is a wonderful article by Susan and Don Maher on the University of Wisconsin at Madison website.  https//hortextensionwisc.edu/ It is under the Houseplant section.