The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) makes a surprisingly interesting desktop plant, considering that when grown outdoors it can be a full-size tree that towers over homes.

Indoors, these novel little trees are often grown in shallow pots, with a tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem that seems to erupt from the soil.Given time and the right conditions, a small desktop plant will grow into respectable specimen plants, up to 6 feet in height or more.

* Comes in a plastic pot with a rustic finish