Madagascar Palm

Overview

The Madagascar palm is not a palm at all, but a striking spiny succulent with a thick, silvery, spine-covered trunk topped by a crown of long, strappy leaves - like a palm crossed with a cactus. Bold, architectural and surprisingly easy, it makes a dramatic statement plant for a hot, bright spot, given respect for its spines and sap.

Origin & Natural Habitat

Pachypodium lamerei is native to southern Madagascar, where it stores water in a swollen, spiny trunk to survive heat and drought. Despite the name and look, it is a succulent relative of the oleander and frangipani, not a true palm or cactus.

Appearance

A thick, upright, silvery-grey trunk densely armed with sharp spines, topped by a rosette of long, narrow, glossy green leaves that give the false 'palm' look. Mature plants may branch and, in good conditions, produce fragrant white flowers at the crown. It can drop its leaves in a cool or dry rest.

Why People Love It - Qualities & Benefits

People love the bold, architectural palm-meets-cactus look, the dramatic spiny trunk, and how easy and low-care it is for such an exotic-looking plant. A single Madagascar palm makes a striking statement in a bright room.

Care

Light

Give the most sun you can - a hot, south-facing window with hours of direct sun, or outdoors in warm weather. Strong light and warmth keep it firm and leafy; in poor light it grows weak and may drop its leaves.

Watering

Water when the soil has dried, thoroughly, in the warm growing season, then let it dry well between drinks - the swollen trunk stores water and rots if kept soggy. Cut back sharply in winter or any cool rest, when it may drop its leaves and want to stay nearly dry.

Soil & Potting

A gritty, very free-draining cactus or succulent mix in a pot with drainage. Sharp drainage is vital to protect the water-storing trunk from rot.

Humidity & Temperature

Loves warmth and tolerates dry air; it is frost-tender. Keep it well above about 10°C at all times, and warmer for active growth. Cold, wet conditions are dangerous.

Feeding

Feed with a dilute cactus or balanced fertiliser a couple of times through the warm growing season. Stop feeding in winter or during a rest period.

Repotting

Repot every couple of years in spring, handling the spiny trunk with thick gloves and folded card, and washing your hands afterwards because of the irritant sap. Wait a few days before watering after repotting.

Propagation

Usually grown from seed, which gives the best single trunk. Branches can sometimes be rooted as cuttings. Handle the milky sap carefully and wash up afterwards.

Common Problems & Pests

Overwatering and cold cause trunk and root rot, the main killers. Leaf drop in a cool or dry spell is usually a normal seasonal rest. Spider mite and mealybugs can attack the leaves and crown. The sharp spines are a hazard to people and pets.

Toxicity & Safety

The Madagascar palm carries a milky sap that can irritate skin and is considered mildly toxic if eaten, and its trunk is covered in sharp spines - so keep it well out of reach of children and pets, handle with care, and wash your hands after touching cut surfaces.

Pros & Cons

Pros: bold architectural palm-meets-cactus look, easy and low-care, drought-tolerant, dramatic statement plant. Cons: sharp spiny trunk, irritant sap, frost-tender, drops leaves in a cool rest, rots if cold and wet.

Best Suited For

A dramatic, easy statement plant for a hot, sunny window and a warm home, best for growers who can give it heat and light and keep its spines and sap safely away from children and pets.

FAQ

Is it really a palm? No - despite the name and the crown of strappy leaves, it is a spiny succulent related to oleander, not a true palm.

Why did it drop all its leaves? Usually a normal rest in a cool or dry spell; keep it warm, bright and just-moist and it releaves in growth.