Pachypodium Lamerei Madagascan Palm
PACH-LAM
- Description
The very strange Madagascan palm has a disproportionately thick, almost bottle like trunk, very few branches and formidable looking, 2.5cm long spines especially on young growth. Despite the ferocious look and the weirdness of this plant it is strangely beautiful and very architectural. The trunk also has a metallic grey sheen to it and long, thin, grey/ green leaves often with a pink midrib. Gorgeous, bright white fragrant flowers can be produced in summer.
This succulent tree is in fact not a palm at all but more closely related to Neriums and Adeniums which can be very much seen in the leaf and trunk growth of the plant. During periods of drought it will lose its leaves and on mature plants, without the foliage it almost looks like someone has planted it upside down. It is relatively easy to grow if given a very bright spot indoors (including a south facing widow tolerating full sun through the glass) or in a heated greenhouse or conservatory and big plants look stunning if put out on the summer patio with other various succulents. Just make sure all risk of frost has passed before putting it out although it will tolerate a light touch of frost if the compost is dry.
Plant in a slightly fertile acidic compost with plenty of lime free grit, sand and perlite added for extra drainage. Water regular during the summer keeping the compost evenly moist for best leaf growth and flowering but keep bone dry during the winter months. Do not worry if you get leaf drop in the winter when you keep it dry. You are just recreating a drought period that it would often experience in the wild. It can reach up to 7mtrs in height when mature but this takes a very, very long time so will give you many years of growth before it outgrows your home.
Sent as a young plant in a 9cm pot.
Additional photos CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127233
- Position
- Flowering
- Growth