I don't grow this plant, but many people have them outdoors here in SW Florida with the summer rains. So I can't believe that getting water on the trunk has caused the mold problem (if that's what you were thinking).

And I could be wrong, since it is a house plant. Someone will chime in with advice for you. In the mean time, use the search feature at the top right of this page. I am sure you will find a lot of good information there.

Good luck!

Mold⦠or moss? Mold is odd, on any healthy plant. Must be super damp where it is. Not a plant you really want to keep damp. Still, if the caudex is nice and firm, likely it will not hurt anything.. but might want to clean it off.

Yes, if it is mold, clean it off. Perhaps a peroxide + water spritzing.

Josh

So let me ask....Does the pot the plant is in have a hole in the bottom for drainage?

Christopher

hi cljcksn
I'm not sure if this is what you are referring too.
I've hade this plant for two years and the green does not hurt the plant in any way.

Richard

that looks like moss⦠is it, or mold?

HI lzrddr
I'M not sure it has been there since I got it and has never grown or changed, plant is healthy and it does not seam to afect it in any way,

Richard

It's really not kept in a damp place, it's inside for the winter & the heat makes everything pretty dry. It's not moss i think it's a black mold or maybe just discoloration. The pot does have drainage holes & it's kept in ports soil. The causes feels firm still, my biggest fear was rot but it seems fine. Here's a few pictures.

It's like a dark patch that I'm assuming water ran down

Nah, that'll be OK, though I hope you plan to repot it within the next month or so - it's ready for upgrading, and getting it repotted soon will allow its roots to take full value of the spring/summer, which is less than 70 days away says the calendar. I hope to put one of mine in the ground in May and see how well it grows.

Yeah we rescued it from Home Depot, it's tilting really far sideways in those pictures but we've since repotted it

Jeff,
I have 2 pony tail palms. I put one in the ground last summer, and it was noticeably bigger than it's potted counterpart.

To the OP, when the weather warms up, slowly acclimate it to the sun. It will thank you. The sun may also get rid of the black groth. It can handle temperature dips above freezing, so nights in the 40s or 50s won't be a problem. They don't like wet roots, so make sure you use a well draining soil, and don't water if it's going to be cool.

Rob