The Madagascar palm is a large and easy-care succulent from Madagascar.

The trunk grows to a height of 3-6 m and is covered with sharp thorns that can be up to five centimeters long. They grow in groups of three and protrude almost straight out from the trunk. The thorns protect against grazing animals and help collect water.

The name means "thick-footed" and comes from the Greek pachus (thick) and podion (foot), after the swollen shape of the trunk. These beautiful trunks are thickened with water-storing tissue as an adaptation to seasonally dry environments or to survive long dry periods.

In nature, the Madagascar palm grows at altitudes up to 1200 meters, where sea fog from the Indian Ocean condenses on the thorns and drips down to the roots at the surface of the earth.

Botanical description

Pachypodium lamerei comes from the species-rich, dry succulent forests of western Madagascar. Of the 23 known Pachypodium species, 18 are endemic to the island, the other five are only found in southern Africa and Namibia.

Care

As a succulent, the Madagascar palm requires a lot of light and sparing watering.

Let the soil dry between waterings and give extra water during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Place in a bright spot but avoid strong midday sun through windows as these sometimes intensify the rays of light. Buy Madagascar palm online!