How to Grow a Madagascar Palm
Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) produces waxy green leaves that rise from the top of a thick trunk covered in sharp spines. Native to Southern Madagascar, the tree cannot tolerate the cold, and gardeners in the United States grow the plant almost exclusively indoors. In nature, the Madagascar palm typically reaches 15 feet in height. However, it usually stays much smaller as a houseplant, growing no more than 4 feet tall with a spread of up to 2 feet. Growers value the tree for its ease of care and adaptability to common household conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant the Madagascar palm in a container with drainage holes on the bottom, filled with well-draining potting mix. Place a 1- to 2-inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the container to promote proper drainage, and fill it with a mixture of 2 parts sand, 1 part peat moss and 1 part loam.
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Place your Madagascar palm tree in an area that receives bright, direct sunlight for the majority of the day, such as a south- or east-facing window. The plant grows most vigorously when it's provided with full sun, but it can also tolerate indirect or filtered light for short periods.
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Water the tree about once every 10 days, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between applications. Pour lukewarm water over the soil until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the container. Drain away any excess immediately, and never allow the tree's roots to stand in water. Cease watering in the winter.
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Keep the temperature near your Madagascar palm between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Although the plant can tolerate slightly lower or higher temperatures for a while, it prefers typical warm household temperatures most of the time.
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Re-pot Madagascar palm about once every three years. Wrap a few layers of newspaper around the trunk before handling to prevent injury from the tree's spines. Plant it in a container at least 2 inches larger in diameter than the previous pot, and fill it with fresh potting mix.
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Tips & Warnings
The Madagascar palm typically drops its foliage during its winter resting period. Keep it in the same sunny spot, but do not water. New growth will return in spring, when you should resume regular care of the tree.
Madagascar palm trees do not require supplemental fertilization or high humidity. In fact, they perform best in the dry, warm air of most homes, as long as they're given water and plenty of sunlight.
Do not place the Madagascar palm in an area easily accessible to children and pets. The tree's spines are very sharp and its sap is toxic when ingested.
